Christians Worldwide Unite in Prayer forUkraine on August 24

Global day of prayer coincides with Ukraine’s Independence Day amid war, abductions, and persecution.

WASHINGTON DC, August 22, 2025. – As Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities, persecute Christians, and hold thousands of abducted Ukrainian children, Christians worldwide can answer Ukraine’s call to pray for peace and lasting
security.

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) established August 24, 2025 as a “World Prayer for Ukraine” Day, coinciding with the country’s 34th Independence Day. The UCCRO has called for believers around the world to unite in prayer for the following:
● the end to the war and suffering;
● the protection of innocents and the preservation of human life;
● the establishment of a just peace;
● the restoration of truth, freedom and dignity.

Since Russia’s invasion, Vladimir Putin has shut down every church in occupied Ukraine not controlled by the Kremlin, tyrannizing more than 2.5 million Ukrainian Christians. According to Mission Eurasia, Putin’s forces have killed 49 faith leaders in Ukraine and more than 650 Ukrainian churches have been damaged or destroyed. Meanwhile, Russia has abducted more than 19,000 Ukrainian children
from their families, putting them up for forced adoption and sending them to the Russian military.

“Ukraine needs military and economic support, but most importantly, it needs our spiritual support,” said Colby Barrett, producer of A Faith Under Siege. “There is nothing greater than the power of prayer. I encourage Christians across America to come together and pray for Ukraine, the Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, and Ukraine's Christian communities under Russian occupation who have seen their churches destroyed, their pastors tortured and killed, and their services forced underground.”