All of us are, or should be, moved to hit our knees praying on behalf of the country of Ukraine. I have been moved by the courage and commitment of the citizens of Ukraine, and especially the Christians who have chosen to remain in their communities even as the imminent threat of danger and death marches in their streets. A few days before Russia attacked the nation of Ukraine, several seminaries from former Soviet Republics issued a statement condemning Russian aggression, confessing allegiance to Christ, and urging Christians everywhere to pray for peace. In part, their statement said:

The Christian Church has been instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Created by the Word of God and directed by the Holy Spirit, the Church confesses one Lord and Savior Jesus, his gospel and law. Therefore, as part of the Church and under the Lordship of Christ, we are called to speak the truth and expose deceit (Ephesians 4:15; 4:25).

We confess the real and unlimited power of God over all countries and continents (Psalm 24:1), as well as over all kings and rulers (Proverbs 21:1); therefore, nothing in all creation can interfere with the fulfillment of the good and perfect will of God. We, together with the first Christians, affirm “Jesus is Lord,” and not Caesar.

We ask you to pray for peace for the people of Ukraine and for courage and wisdom for Christian churches so that they continue to serve those in need.

We pray for our authorities and put our hope in the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who is, and remains, our refuge and our fortress, even in time of war (Psalm 46).

(You can read the full statement here)

Vasyl Ostryi is a pastor at Irpin’ Bible Church in a city near Kyiv. He is also a professor of youth ministry at Kyiv Theological Seminary. He and his family made the decision to remain in their city in order to serve as they were needed. He said this about their decision to stay, “How should the church respond when there is a growing threat of war? When there is constant fear in society? I’m convinced that if the church is not relevant at a time of crisis, then it is not relevant in a time of peace.”

Pray for Pastor Ostryi, and many other brothers and sisters in Christ who have made this same decision. This past weekend a video of a Ukrainian family singing He Will Hold Me Fast made the rounds on Twitter and social media. I thought of them as we sang this same song this past Sunday in our service. Separated by thousands of miles and vastly different circumstances, we stand in the same grace, rest on the same solid promises of Christ, and sing the same songs that confess our faith.

Westwood’s first foreign mission trip was in 1993 and it was to the country of Ukraine. Upon our return, I wrote the following in our church newsletter:

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to the former Soviet Union country of Ukraine. It was a real privilege to be able to minister among those dear people who have suffered under the hand of communism for so many years. These people know what it is like to be persecuted for their faith in Christ. The people of these former communist countries are spiritually starved and are open, as never before, to the love of Jesus Christ.

On one occasion, we had the opportunity to visit and preach at a military base that was a former nuclear missile site. Men who had been trained to hate and mistrust Americans were now embracing us and receiving with joy the message of Christ. I preached from Ephesians 2:13-14, and the truth of that passage was very clear as we stood together on that military base. Nations that previously had in common only their nuclear power now were experiencing the power of Christ to break down walls and bring together former enemies.

So, our church has personally been involved in the lives of brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. Now we can continue that involvement with them through prayer, fasting, and the common bond we share in Christ as we lift up the people of Ukraine, Russia, all of Europe, and our world.  

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.  Psalm 46:1–3