Responding to the War in Ukraine
As I write these words, I am sat outside on a park bench. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it seems summer is on its way at last.
And yet about 1,300 miles to my west, cities in Ukraine are being struck and torn apart by Russian missiles, and civilians are fleeing their homes for safety and refuge. In Russia, those protesting the war are being arrested and families are being divided by disagreement and death.
At times, when the sun is shining, it can feel like the war is so far removed from our lives. But in so many ways it also feels like the war is right on our doorstep.
After two years of headlines being dominated by Covid-19 – the hurt, the struggle, the confusion – we’re now surrounded by stories of devastation in Ukraine. Although the Russian invasion is not the only war taking place in the world today, the pain and suffering – and defiance – of the Ukrainian people has captured our collective attention. The possible global consequences of the invasion are severe. This war is not only affecting Ukrainians and Russians, but us here in the UK too – emotionally, mentally, and physically – as the tangible impact it will have on our lives becomes more apparent.
From the news of Ukrainian cities being bombed and civilians being killed, to the French President warning famine may hit Africa as a result and even discussion of nuclear war, it is hard to know how to respond when it might seem all hope is lost for the future.
How do we lead ourselves, our young people, in moments like this? How do we respond when we see the brokenness of the world right in front of us?
We stop. We pray. We move.
His name will be Wonderful Counsellor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. Power and peace will be in his kingdom and will continue to grow forever.’ – Isaiah 9:6–7 (NCV)
1. STOP
Although it is right to look for practical ways to respond and stand with those suffering, we must also find time to stop and reflect on the reality of this moment.
The daily stories we hear and read from Ukraine are heartbreaking. The destruction and suffering the Ukrainian people are experiencing is unfathomable. Missiles are striking theatres, hospitals and kindergartens and reducing them to rubble, civilians have been stranded in shelters with little food, water or medical supplies due to Russian blockades, and people are dying. Over three million are now refugees searching for safety in other countries, and nearly seven million are internally displaced. Children are reportedly being kidnapped and taken by Russian forces.
This is the reality of this moment. This is a moment that requires acknowledgement and reflection. We may not be able to imagine the suffering caused by war, but it doesn’t make the war any less real.
Yet there’s a further dimension to this moment. Though here in the UK we are not directly experiencing the sounds and sights and terror of war, we are experiencing uncertainty, fear and anxiety – all emotions that may be taking root in our hearts and minds as we look to Ukraine and wonder what next news story will be.
We must acknowledge that the pain of this moment comes on top of open wounds caused by the pandemic over the last two years. We have seen loved ones become ill and die. We have seen society close down and support structures torn away overnight. And we have felt the world as we knew it slip away. Young people have been unable to go to school, to socialise or have the experiences that build the resilience they need for their future. Combined with climate anxiety and the real possibility of nuclear war, and we have to acknowledge that the pain of this moment may begin to be overwhelming.
The future is uncertain. The world seems broken. And the mountain may feel insurmountable. In moments like this, hope can begin to die.
Allow yourself time to stop.
Acknowledge what is going on – both the physical situation in Ukraine and the emotions inside you as you think about the war. Give space to be vulnerable with others and discuss what this moment means.
And make space to give it to Jesus. We don’t have to pretend everything is alright, but we can be honest and vulnerable before him about the very real death and destruction caused by the war, and the doubt and pain we may be experiencing when we see the brokenness of the world before us. These emotions are real, and we have a beautiful Father – a wonderful Counsellor – whose heart is also breaking. Instead of turning us away, he holds his arms wide open and holds us all in this moment as we cry out to him.
Our God is the Prince of Peace, and though the storm is raging in Ukraine and within us, there is always peace to be found at the feet of Jesus. By sitting in the reality of the moment, we can find the time to remember that Jesus is in this storm with us.
This moment may be overwhelming, but our place in his arms is secure.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. – Mark 4:38–39 (NIV)
2. Lift Your Eyes
When the storm rages around us, sometimes it’s all we can see. We focus on the endless news cycle, we focus on the efforts of the Ukrainian defenders or the politicians negotiating an end to the war, and we begin to sideline God.
The more our focus remains on the war, the easier it is to forget that our God is a God who moves – a living God who holds the world in his hands and who has the power to command the storm to stop. Though it is important to take time to stop and acknowledge the reality of this war, we cannot wallow in the pain and hopelessness. God has a better reality he wants to write.
Take time to pray for God to move, and for his kingdom and his peace to come on earth as it is in heaven.
You may find it difficult to pray in this moment. Sometimes we expect that, if God is really a loving God, then he would have already done something to stop the war. But because we haven’t yet seen a sudden, obvious, miraculous change in the situation, we might question whether God is really moving. Whether he really cares. Does that mean our prayers are pointless?
God is working through the small details. He’s in the determination and defiance of the Ukrainian people as they defend their cities. He’s giving strength to the Ukrainian leaders as they refuse to leave their country, as they encourage their people and work with world leaders to evacuate sick children and open humanitarian corridors. He’s in the prayers and praise of the Ukrainian church, in a country where 70% of the population call themselves Christians.
When we see suffering such as that in Ukraine, and especially as it intensifies, it is easy to lose hope – both in the situation and in God. But now is not the time to lose confidence in the gospel.
In fact, it’s the opposite. We must return to the promise of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and declare that the gospel is good and true and real. It isn’t fragile – it can withstand this storm because there is no authority on earth that can come between God and the outworking of his salvation. The gospel is God’s invitation into a life of love and hope, and now is the time to put our strength and confidence in Jesus and trust that our prayers are not in vain.
Though the world may keep its eyes on the storm and question where God is, we can lift our eyes and proclaim God is here.
Pray for those in Ukraine torn apart by the war – for families to be reunited and for refuge to be found. Pray for food, water and medical supplies to make their way to those trapped in Mariupol and Kherson, and for safe passage from danger.
Pray for an end to the bombing and a withdrawal of Russian forces – for a softening of Vladimir Putin’s heart and change in his mindset towards Ukraine. Pray for the diplomats as they negotiate peace, and for world leaders as they continue to navigate the complexities of providing support and aid. Pray for all those globally affected by the ramifications of the war as food, energy and fertiliser prices increase.
Pray for our brothers and sisters in the Ukrainian church. Ask that God would draw near to them in their suffering – that they may find their strength comes from him, and experience a fresh outpouring of his love and mercy. Pray for courage, that they might trust and proclaim the good news of Jesus.
Here are some resources you might find helpful as you pray:
How To Pray For Ukraine – 24/7 Prayer
How To Pray For Ukraine – Tearfund
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. – Isaiah 49:14–16 (ESV)
Ultimately, our faith in Jesus gives us a new perspective. It does not mean we ignore the pain and suffering caused by this war, but it does mean we know it is not the end of the story. God promises us that one day, all things will be made new. Everything will be restored.
We can be confident God’s kingdom will come, and with it will come the day where there will be no more tears, pain, or death. So we lift our eyes to the God who has defeated death on the cross, the God who can command the storm to stop, and we pray.
‘But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.’ – Amos 5:24
3. Begin to Move
God doesn’t just move through big miracles. He builds his kingdom through the lives of his people and our actions, no matter how small.
We’re not called to watch on from afar, but to partner with Jesus and play an active role in the story of his kingdom. To love our neighbour as ourselves and to seek justice. To go out there and make a difference.
Our worship to God is just as much what we do outside of church as the songs we sing or the prayers we cry. The Christian life isn’t a bubble that exists separate to the world around us, where our hearts can break but we do nothing – the Christian life is one that steps outside of the four walls of church and reaches out into the darkness and brokenness of the world, carrying the light and love of Jesus.
What we do may not bring world peace, but it will mean another family can be provided with shelter, and another child can receive the medicine and treatment they need.
The most practical way you can make a difference to the situation in Ukraine is through financial donations. If your church is organising an offering or local action, then make your priority joining in and supporting their effort.
May the church stand together and act together in this time.
Here are some other appeals you may want to donate to:
If donating directly isn’t an option, why not consider ways of bringing your youth group, church or local community together to raise money through something like a bake sale, garage sale or clothes swap?
It may not seem like much, but even our smallest actions will bear the fruit of God’s kingdom.