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When War Began, We Prayed — And We Have Not Stopped


On February 24, 2022, as the Russian military descended upon Ukraine, the Baptist World Alliance called the global Baptist family to gather in prayer, hosted by the European Baptist Federation (EBF). That night, we listened with heavy hearts to the unfolding reality. We heard fear, uncertainty, and courage in the voices of our sisters and brothers. And together, we made a simple but profound commitment: we would pray, and we would give.


The following Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season marked by repentance, reflection, and longing for God’s mercy. EBF invited Baptists across the region to pray for peace every Wednesday throughout Lent. Week after week, we gathered. We listened to testimonies from Ukraine and neighbouring nations. We prayed not in general terms, but in response to real stories, real suffering, and real hope.


As Lent came to an end, we knew our prayers could not. We pledged to continue meeting on the last Wednesday of each month for as long as the war endured. For four years, we have kept that promise.


More than 1,000 individuals from around the world have joined these times of prayer. Prayers have risen in many languages. Tears have been shed in homes and churches as our hearts have broken again and again at the testimony of Ukrainian Baptist leaders, stories of loss, resilience, faith, and love in the midst of devastation.


To this day, EBF continues to host monthly gatherings of prayer for Ukraine, for its churches, and for its people. We continue to long and to pray for peace, for justice, and for freedom.


As we mark these years of steadfast prayer, we reached out to some of the faithful prayer warriors who have stood with us from the beginning, as well as to Igor Bandura, Vice President of the Ukrainian Baptist Union. We asked them to reflect on what these gatherings have meant — in the midst of suffering, perseverance, and hope. Here are their words.


Igor Bandura: "These monthly prayer gatherings have been a vital spiritual anchor for me over the past four years of war. When we pray together—across countries, languages, and traditions—I feel Ukraine is not alone. Your voices, tears, and prayers join ours, making the burden lighter.They give me comfort in knowing real names and hopes are lifted by brothers and sisters far away, and strength because your faithfulness shows prayer is active love and solidarity. Your continued presence month after month means hope endures, evil won’t win, and the Body of Christ remains one—across every border and battle line. Thank you for not forgetting us; you keep our hope alive."

Keith Rowbory: "Thank you for all you do to facilitate the monthly Peace and Reconciliation prayer zooms which have proved such a helpful release of an outpouring of informed and fervent prayer for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters undergoing such endless pressure by the Russian aggressors - and, of course, much further afield. It has proved a vital resource, providing us with raw insights into the devastating impacts on the church and wider society. It has given us encouraging stories of the selfless action by church members reaching out to offer succour and support to the grieving, fearful and bewildered populace. It has been a privilege to pray together with others in small groups to bring our concerns before the Lord.”

Norman Tharby: "It is a privilege to be committed to the monthly prayer time. I continue to appreciate the close links with what is happening in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and other places. The format is helpful with its opening enthusiastic and warm welcome and worship, with some of the latest news from people on the ground, as it were. The breakout prayer rooms initially I found could be a bit daunting, but now this has been overtaken by the joy of meeting and praying with four or five others from various parts of the world. I am always encouraged by their prayers for they show a real love and concern for what is happening in the lives of those caught up in dark places and times. Personally this monthly contact is sort of an ongoing ministry link with parts of Eastern Europe: several years ago I met with a group of Russian Baptist ministers in Moscow in the context of a MasterLife workshop. Also, for 20 years or so, for 2 weeks at a time, I have taught the Book of Numbers (and others periodically) in a Bible School in Serbia. The current monthly prayer event is almost an ongoing continuation of these former links and interests that have been part of my ministry over many years. I always come away encouraged and challenged. I am encouraged in a number of areas: by this ministry that EBF faithfully achieves; by the prayers of others that I have just mentioned. I am challenged by the faithfulness of those who are my sisters and brothers in Christ, especially in their commitment to bring relief to those in need around them, in their faithfulness under extreme pressure – pressure that I can barely begin to imagine - and their readiness to continue in evangelism and church planting and looking to the Lord for the future. Thank you, EBF, for this ministry that I believe is important to those we pray for – and also for those like me who zoom into prayer."

Pauline Kimeu: I must testify that you don't know how powerful you are until everything and everyone you leaned on is taken away from you. Being in this prayer gathering has helped me heal; it has helped build my spiritual muscles by bearing one another's burdens. I have gone through rejection, brokenness, loss, loneliness and more scars in my heart, and so when I think of the war in Ukraine, it gives me chills and at the same time strength, being sure that God's love and peace suffices. With Him all is possible, and it's my prayer that Peace will prevail. Through the intercession prayers we've held, it has served as a bridge for God's action in the lives of others. James 5:16 says:" Therefore, confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed." Galatians 6: 9, "Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up."

If you would like to join us, we gather on the last Wednesday of each month to pray for Ukraine, for its churches, and for all who suffer because of war. Wherever you are, your presence and your prayers matter. Together, we continue to stand in hope, believing that God hears, God sees, and God will bring peace.





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