An urgent prayer request from Yaroslav Hetman, Senior Director of Neighbor Innovation at Compassion International … #Ukraine #PrayForUkraine
My whole world came to a halt the moment I read the news of Russia’s invasion of my homeland. I scrambled for my phone to contact friends and family in Kyiv and southwest Ukraine, praying that they were safe. Tears filled my eyes as I thought of my niece — the child I held in my arms when she was just a baby. A temporary sense of relief washed over me when I received word, one-by-one, that each person I know was safe — for now.
Since that night, I’ve spent every waking moment staying in touch with my loved ones. While I was on a call with one of my relatives recently, I heard a massive explosion in the background. A missile had struck close to his home! After a moment, he just shrugged it off and said, “We have food and water. My son has it much harder on the frontlines as a soldier.” The new reality Ukrainians are facing every day is a nightmare.
My name is Yaroslav. I was born in Ukraine and moved to the United States when I was 9 years old. God’s plan for me included working at Compassion International, advocating for the most vulnerable children around the world. Over the past couple of weeks, the most vulnerable on my heart have been those in my very own country. Every time there is conflict in the world, no one suffers more than babies, children and the poor.
Just a few short weeks ago, Ukrainian children were going to school, playing in parks and attending birthday parties. Now, these same children are sheltered in cellars and bomb shelters, huddled next to strangers on piles of blankets, just trying to survive. In between air raid sirens, their mothers risk their lives to venture above ground to find the next meal for their children. Many of their fathers are doing everything they can to defend them, at times getting on their knees in front of tanks. It is impossible to express the amount of fear and trauma that these kids are experiencing every moment of the day.
My heart is broken, but I don’t have time to mourn. I am choosing instead to do everything I possibly can to save my people, especially the children in Ukraine.
Every night at 8 p.m., children settle in with their caretakers in cold metro stations, cellars and bomb shelters. The curfew begins and will last until the early morning hours. The nights are long and frightening. If you are reading this, would you consider setting a reminder to pray for these children at the start of their 8 p.m. curfew? A quick internet search can assist you with calculating the current time in Kyiv. Can you imagine the power of millions of people praying at the same time for the most vulnerable in the Ukraine?
Pray for children who are in hospitals receiving critical care. Pray that children would be spared from the strikes in civilian areas. Pray that children would have access to food and water. Pray that the peace of God that transcends all understanding would guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, NIV). If you struggle with knowing how to pray, we offer these prayers for children in the conflict to assist you as you go to God on our behalf.
There is no question — Ukraine will stand up for itself. Ukrainians — my family members — are resolved and resilient. My prayer is that resolution would come quickly. Our children are the ones suffering without a choice. They are the ones who will carry the impact of this conflict for generations to come. I trust that this situation is ultimately in God’s hands. I know that trusting him is the right thing to do. I know that he has a better plan than I do.
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Will Compassion soon have programs in Ukraine. I know there are so many kids who need helpl, support and to konow the love of God. My heart has gone out to them ever since the war started. I kn know I’d love to sponsor a child or to from there if it was possible.
Cathee
Hi Cathee. Thank you for caring for the children and people in Ukraine. Compassion is not currently working in Ukraine, and we do not have plans to expand there anytime soon. With that said, this blog does provide the website to our ministry partner, Hope International. They are doing their best to help families in Ukraine. Please send us an email at [email protected] if you have any additional questions!
Will Compassion soon have programs in Ukraine? I know there are so many children there who need care, love and hope
We (my sisters and I) are still praying for Ukraine. We have family in far western Ukraine too. Please send an update on your family.
God bless you and your family,
Margot
Thank you so much for your prayers, Margot! 💙 We join you in praying for your family as well.
I have been praying for Ukraine and to the world for peace everyday and also the protection for every one in this earth. Lord heard our prayers in Jesus name I pay Amen.
I feel such sadness for the people in Ukraine. I pray continuously for their safety.
I have written down the time in my notebook I use to pray for sponsors for Compassion kids. I wrote it inside the front page, so when I sit down to check which kids still need sponsors or to pray for the list, I will add in Ukrainian children as well.
Thank you for this encouragement on how to specifically pray for Ukraine right now, and I pray that you and your family will be safe. Thank you for sharing this part of your heart with us.
Thank you Yaraslov for sharing a picture of life in your homeland. I will be praying for the Ukrainian nation daily. May the Lord bring your people out of war. Lord protect the men , women and children in the Ukraine. Bring them to safety, cover them with your protective arms in Jesus name.
Trusting in Jesus. Brenda
We stand our ground in Jesus Christ together with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. Praying for divine protection and an end to this war. Shelter them under your wings LORD. Cover their hearts and minds with your Peace. Strengthen the Angel over Ukraine.and give victory to Heaven’s Army Lord God Almighty. Hear our cry LORD. God’s Peace and Prosperity over Europe.
I am praying ? for your country and the safety of your people. I know that God’s plan and purpose will come about. In the midst of this situation may the children be calmed by the hand of God.
Thank you for your kind prayer, Sue! ?
Praying every day , and asking our merciful FATHER, to intervene in a miraculous way for Ukraine . As He spare His people in the land of Egypt, He’s more than able to do it for His children in Ukraine ??. Together we stand !!.
Amen! Elizabeth, thank you for your continuous prayers for the people of Ukraine! ?
My heart is broken for the people of Ukraine and I have been praying daily, multiples times, for the children, their terrified mothers and the husbands, fathers and sons that are fighting for their country. I have been so heartened and in awe of the people of Ukraine and their leader. I spent time in Poland years ago and the kindness of the people I experienced then has come forth as they do everything possible to help these poor traumatized people. I thank God for them, as well and wish I could be there now, to do more. But I ask the One who can do more than anyone else to be with the Ukrainians, to comfort them and keep them safe, as we trust His perfect plan.