President’s Post: Our Prayer for Ukraine

The Liberty family and the world have watched with heartache and sorrow the events and devastation that have unfolded in Ukraine over this past week. The latest reports indicate that more than 1 million Ukrainian refugees have fled the country. Make no mistake, Liberty University stands with the people of Ukraine and will continue to stand with them.

Last week, I called on our students, faculty and staff to pray for Ukraine and instructed LU Send to set up a donation portal for financial assistance and relief. During this time, I am asking everyone to continue to pray for Christ’s perfect peace and protection over the Ukrainian people and that you would send your support; even a small donation can go a long way to
impacting lives.

Even during the destruction in Ukraine, there have been inspiring reports of Ukrainian Christians who decided to remain and minister in the crisis while helping others leave the country or provide food, shelter and medical attention to those who cannot escape.

In times of great tragedy, it’s important to remember the triumph of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forevermore” (Hebrews 13:8). He promises to “never leave nor forsake us” (Deuteronomy 31:8), even in times of great crisis and persecution. It is in times like this that people are looking for hope, and the gospel is the only real hope.

Many Christian organizations and churches are doing their part in this moment to bring hope and healing to Ukraine, both in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus and in providing valuable life-saving resources. 

On the ground in Ukraine, it is estimated that over 1.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes and over 400,000 children live in war zones that have suffered heavy devastation from Russian-Ukrainian military engagement. Many organizations are providing clean water, food and shelter while much of the winter weather has sustained below freezing temperatures in Ukraine.  

Samaritan’s Purse provided medical assistance by deploying a 30-bed emergency field hospital as a part of its Disaster Assistance Response Team, including doctors, nurses and key medical personnel. My friend Franklin Graham said, “We want to meet the needs of these families in their darkest moments while pointing them to the light and hope of Jesus Christ.”

The Salvation Army has had a long-standing presence in Ukraine and is currently on the ground providing assistance. Recently, it reported that 22 babies were born in the subway of Kiev as they provided diapers, formula and hygiene products to the women and children. 

In addition, many churches across the western border of Ukraine in the neighboring countries of Poland, Romania and Hungary have opened their doors and offered their assistance. The European Baptist Federation is working to convert sanctuaries into shelters. They released a statement saying, “Pews are in the pulpit and beds fill the sanctuary, the balcony and every available space. Ukrainian and Polish families work side by side, making food, receiving donations and cleaning the toilets.” 

In many places that I look, I am encouraged to see Christian organizations and their people rise to the occasion and demonstrate the true hope of glory that is Jesus Christ. We know that warm blankets, food and shelter will go a long way in saving someone in this life, but they will not save anyone in the life to come. So, while we continue to pray and give sacrificially to ensure that material resources are provided, let us pray especially that this is the moment of great spiritual revival and awakening for Eastern Europe.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you because of the Lord your God,” (Isaiah 55:5). It could be that in this very moment a great number of people encounter Jesus Christ for the very first time. Let’s pray for gospel boldness and faithful witnesses.

Will you join me in praying for them and will you commit to join us in giving for this effort? You can join Liberty University in giving toward this effort by following this link: https://secure.touchnet.net/C20965_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=570&SINGLESTORE=true

Prevo is the President of Liberty University. Follow him on Twitter