Psalm 31 Prayer for Ukraine

“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed.

Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.

These are the beginning of birth pains.”

(Mark 13:7-8 NIV)

O Lord, we have come to you to pray for protection for your people in the Ukraine. Don’t let them be destroyed but save them, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to them and rescue them quickly. Be their rock of protection, a fortress where they will be safe. For the honor of your name, lead them out of this danger. Pull them from the trap their enemies set for them, for they find protection in you alone. Rescue them, Lord, for you are a faithful God. We believe and proclaim that you have not handed them over to their enemies but have set them in a safe place. We praise the Lord, for you have shown them the wonders of your unfailing love. You are keeping them safe when their city is under attack. In panic they cry out, “I am cut off from the Lord!” But you hear their cries for mercy and answer their calls for help.

We have heard the many rumors about this nation which is surrounded by terror. Their enemies conspire against Ukraine, plotting to take this nation off the map. But we are trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are their God!” Their future is in your hands. Rescue them from those who hunt them down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servants and, in your unfailing love, rescue this borderland.

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. Today we pray against any entity in this world who plans to use this situation in the Ukraine for their own gain – whether for resources, land, people, or as a distraction from other issues. We bind these spirits of strife, greed and deception and loose spirits of truth, humility, and peace.

We pray for the people of the Ukraine who are not faithful believers in you and pray that your Church in the area would rise up in powerful and demonstrative ways to bless others and to call them into relationship with you. Help them show how to love you and that you protect them. Show them your harsh punishment of the arrogant who are destroying this nation. Birth out of this conflict a strengthened and vibrant revival fire in both this region and in other regions of the world. Shatter the power of the wickedness in this world – especially in governments – and uphold your righteous children. Give your people in the Ukraine strength and courage as they put their hope in the Lord. In the strong name of Christ we pray, Amen.

“For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
    but the Lord takes care of the godly.” (Psalm 37:17 NLT)

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 NKJV)

O Lord, I have come to you for protection;
    don’t let me be disgraced.
    Save me, for you do what is right.
Turn your ear to listen to me;
    rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
    a fortress where I will be safe.
You are my rock and my fortress.
    For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.
Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,
    for I find protection in you alone.
I entrust my spirit into your hand.

    Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.

I hate those who worship worthless idols.
    I trust in the Lord.
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,
    for you have seen my troubles,
    and you care about the anguish of my soul.
You have not handed me over to my enemies
    but have set me in a safe place.

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.
    Tears blur my eyes.
    My body and soul are withering away.
10 I am dying from grief;
    my years are shortened by sadness.
Sin has drained my strength;
    I am wasting away from within.
11 I am scorned by all my enemies
    and despised by my neighbors—
    even my friends are afraid to come near me.
When they see me on the street,
    they run the other way.
12 I am ignored as if I were dead,

    as if I were a broken pot.
13 I have heard the many rumors about me,
    and I am surrounded by terror.
My enemies conspire against me,
    plotting to take my life.

14 But I am trusting you, O Lord,
    saying, “You are my God!”
15 My future is in your hands.
    Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
16 Let your favor shine on your servant.
    In your unfailing love, rescue me.
17 Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord,
    for I call out to you for help.
Let the wicked be disgraced;
    let them lie silent in the grave.
18 Silence their lying lips—
    those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

19 How great is the goodness
    you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
    blessing them before the watching world.
20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
    safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
    far from accusing tongues.

21 Praise the Lord,
    for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
    He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
22 In panic I cried out,
    “I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
    and answered my call for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
    For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
    but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
24 So be strong and courageous,
    all you who put your hope in the Lord!” (Psalm 31 NLT)