Ukrainian Baptists are joining with other religious groups in asking people of faith globally to pray for Ukraine on Aug. 24.
Valerii Antoniuk, president of the Baptist Union of Ukraine, issued the international appeal as chair of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.
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“Millions of people in Ukraine continue to suffer today from the war caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation,” Antoniuk wrote in an online letter.
“In this time of trials, we need not only political and humanitarian support, but also spiritual solidarity — through prayers, compassion and fraternal participation.”
Pray for religious freedom
The date was selected because it marks the 34th anniversary of when Ukraine marked its freedom from Soviet domination and regained its freedom, said Ivan Kundarenko, head of the Baptist Union of Ukraine’s apologetics department.
“As Ukrainians, we have democracy in our blood,” Kundarenko said, noting Ukraine was a sovereign nation long before it was part of the Soviet Union.
Since Ukrainian Independence Day falls on a Sunday this year, Ukrainian faith leaders saw it as an opportunity to involve the global church in interceding for the people of Ukraine and praying for a just and lasting peace, Kundarenko said.
The prayer initiative culminates the next morning with the National Prayer Breakfast in Kyiv, an event sponsored by the Office of the President of Ukraine.
For Kundarenko, that means a future in which Ukrainians maintain their heritage and unique identity as a people, and a future in which their right to exercise their faith freely is protected.
“In Russian-occupied territory, religious freedom is gone,” he said.
Pray for God to strengthen hope
When asked how Texas Baptists could pray specifically for fellow Baptists in Ukraine, Igor Bandura, vice president of the Baptist Union of Ukraine, he asked for prayer “to support our resilient witness for peace.”
“We want to see Ukrainian Baptists, with thousands of churches, remain a beacon of revival, baptizing many despite war,” he said.
Bandura mentioned three specific requests:
— Hope amid suffering. “Pray for Ukrainian Baptists facing war, displacement and loss. With millions affected, pray God strengthens their hope to continue ministries like providing food and spiritual care despite exhaustion.”
— Faith under persecution. “Pray for Ukrainian Baptists enduring persecution including church closures in occupied areas. Ask for steadfast faith to minister boldly and share the gospel with love.”
— Peace amid nuclear tensions. “With fears of nuclear escalation rising, pray for Ukrainian Baptists to find peace in Christ. Ask for wisdom for leaders to prevent catastrophe, ensuring a future peace.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story is written by Ken Camp and originally published by The Baptist Standard.
