Prayers for Ukraine: US religious leaders share their fervent concerns
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As Russia invades Ukraine, American religious leaders connected to Ukrainian Americans here (as well as current residents of Ukraine) share their thoughts, prayers, and concerns about what is happening in Eastern Europe. ballast.
Fox News Digital has reached out to an array of faith leaders for their prayers and insights amid this ongoing invasion. Here is what they told us.
‘God is with us’
“The message is very simple,” said Fr. Pavlo Popov of St. Sophia Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in The Colony, Texas.
“We are shocked by such a treacherous invasion and saddened by the lives lost and the suffering of the Ukrainian people,” he said.
A woman is shown deeply in prayer in this image. “God is with us,” said Fr. Pavlo Popov of St. Sophia Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Texas.
“Yet, as always, we are united in prayer with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. And we will help them fight the aggressor in any way we can.”
Pr. Popov also said: “God is with us!”
“American Citizens, Join Me” in Prayer
Rick Green, founder of PatriotAcademy.com and creator of the Biblical Citizenship Program, told Fox News Digital, “America has seen the intervention and providence of God in the founding and protection of our own nation.”
Green, based in Dripping Springs, Texas, added, “I call on my fellow Americans to join me in praying for God’s providence to intervene now for Ukrainians and their country.”
“May the grace of God shine on them!”
Pastor Lucas Miles of Nfluence Church in Granger, Indiana, shared the following thoughts with Fox News Digital about the invasion.
“We are going to have a divine liturgy for the war to stop and also for peace to return to the country.”
“Today, I urge every Christian to stand with the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian church. We offer them our heartfelt prayers, hope and support as they go through this darkest time.”
“May the grace of God shine on them!”
Pastor Miles also explained, “I had the incredible honor of visiting Kyiv in 2018 as an invited spiritual delegate for the national celebration of the 501st anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Several hundred thousand Christians gathered on the town square to praise the Lord and declare thanks for their freedom in Christ.”
Believers across the country are praying for the Ukrainian people — and faith leaders shared their thoughts with Fox News Digital on Thursday.
“Today what we are witnessing in Ukraine is a direct attack on that freedom by Russia.”
He continued, “As a Ukrainian government leader reminded me, Ukraine is the last geographic barrier to a communist Europe. Their sovereignty and independence are of the utmost importance.”
“We are going to have a divine liturgy” for peace
Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, told Fox News Digital in an interview: “When [the invasion] arrived, we immediately began to reflect here in the parish. We are appealing that we are going to have a divine liturgy or a mass for the war to stop and also for peace to return to the country. Even though it was done in an hour we had 50-60 people at the church [in the] early in the morning.”
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He also said: “We are planning a big [event] this evening [Thursday night] here at 8 p.m. to pray for the war to end and also for the safety of those in Ukraine and for the Ukrainian military.”
Ukraine is not alone here. We have lots of friends.
On what words of hope he could offer to those who are frightened by the developments in Ukraine, the Bishop advised to focus on the support and help that is already flowing.
“There’s a lot of support, not only from the Ukrainian community here in the Philadelphia area or generally across the country, but also from many people of goodwill,” he said. .
“Look at the many efforts that have been made by different countries to provide assistance to Ukraine, not only political, but financial, military – it really gives hope that Ukraine is not alone here. We have many friends.”
It is “a very important ingredient, to believe that everything will be fine”, said Andriy Rabiy.
“Ukrainian Americans are determined to do everything possible to help the Ukrainian nation, the Ukrainian military there, defeat the invaders and restore Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty, no matter what. ”
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“People, I see that they believe in it. It’s a very important ingredient, to believe that everything will be fine.”
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“It’s something we have to do – believe that in the end Ukraine will be on top.”