By now, two years after the initial conflict, many Americans have largely forgotten about Ukraine. As often happens after a world crisis, we eventually develop into too distracted, irritated, or entertained by other news and media. Of course, there have been other newer international conflicts as well, which also deserve our attention and prayers.
In early 2022, Ukraine began receiving widespread global attention during Russia’s invasion, but much of the initial aid has since diminished. Not only has general financial, material, and moral support been greatly reduced, but in some circles, Ukraine has develop into a political pawn for some—especially with the US presidential elections fast approaching.
When the conflict in eastern Ukraine began a decade ago in 2014, the worldwide community knew Russia was likely preparing for more aggressive actions. But nothing could have prepared me for the morning of February 24, 2022, once I was shaken to my core as images of explosions and armored vehicles began filling the news and web.
I’m a pastor in Lynchburg, Virginia, but I used to be born in Ukraine and have many friends and relatives who still live there. As the initial shock wore off and I used to be in a position to communicate with my family members, something was woke up in me. By the second month of Russia’s invasion, when thousands and thousands of individuals were struggling to depart Ukraine, I traveled there to encourage and serve those affected by the conflict.
I actually have visited Ukraine 4 times over the past two years—and have witnessed firsthand the continued devastation of war. In my most up-to-date trips, it has been disheartening to satisfy with fellow brothers and sisters who’ve felt neglected or forgotten by the worldwide church.
Today, with our short attention spans and so many ongoing global crises, it’s difficult to center our hearts on individual stories of devastation. Yet I feel it’s important for us as believers to consistently remember the suffering of our siblings in Christ—and to cultivate this remembrance as a habitual practice in our busy and distracted lives.
Whenever I take into consideration Ukraine, I can’t get the words of Hebrews 13:3 out of my mind. The writer implores followers of Jesus Christ to “proceed to recollect those in prison as if you happen to were along with them in prison, and people who are mistreated as if you happen to yourselves were suffering” (emphasis mine).
As residents of God’s kingdom, we’re called to pay special attention to the needs of probably the most vulnerable amongst us (Prov. 31:8–9, 1 John 3:17–18, James 1:27). We are connected inside one body, the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12), and our local churches are micro-expressions of a world church designed to operate in unity. Just as we might never ignore an element of our own body if it were suffering, Christ’s body—the church—functions in an analogous way. As Paul says, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (v. 26). Neglecting or forgetting a member that’s suffering may cause harm to the entire body.
We are called to share within the burdens of others by allowing ourselves to press into their pain. Doing so reflects the character of Jesus, who entered time and space to affix us in our mortal afflictions. Scripture assures us that our Savior is “a person of suffering, and aware of pain” (Is. 53:3) who knew each sorrow and grief (Matt. 26:38, Heb. 5:7). And for this reason, he knows help those that are suffering (Heb. 2:18). The more we share our heartfelt prayers, presence, and resources with the suffering, the more we behave like Jesus.
More than that, continuing to recollect the suffering of others prepares us for our own potential suffering. Nobody desires to suffer, but we’re guaranteed to undergo it at one point in our lives—for Scripture guarantees that “on this world you’ll have trouble” (John 16:33). No person, community, or nation is immune from conflict and tragedy. Fellow Christians in places like Ukraine can teach us about resilience and courage—and the ability of the gospel amid calamity and heartbreak. We need them as much as they need us!
Lastly, and equally importantly, we will use our voices and share our resources. We are likely to be great ambassadors for the things we love, and we instinctively wish to share them with others. I often can’t wait to inform people a couple of recent restaurant or movie I enjoyed. If we actually love our suffering brothers and sisters, why wouldn’t we tell others about their plight?
This includes amplifying the voices and stories of those that are in need in addition to gathering and sharing our resources—including partnering with organizations on the bottom to supply life-sustaining necessities like food, water, and medical supplies. God can use different resources we’ve in our lives, in addition to our spheres of influence, to satisfy specific felt needs. For instance, I began The Renewal Initiative to attach people and resources with vulnerable individuals worldwide, and this spring we’re partnering with a gaggle of mental health professionals to supply encouragement and support for relief employees in Ukraine.
One of the ways we fulfill the “law of Christ” is by carrying the burdens of others (Gal. 6:2), but we will’t share this burden alone—nor were we meant to. No one individual could meet all of the needs of those that were suffering. No one organization has all of the resources which can be essential to care for many who are in need. But as individuals and organizations come together, the burden gets lighter, and lots of needs might be met. To be sustainable, we’d like others to assist us bear the burden of continuing to recollect those that are suffering.
But perhaps our strongest weapon is to hold this burden before the Lord in prayer. Never underestimate the ability of prayer or how the Holy Spirit can use our specific prayers to bless and encourage those in need. Not everyone seems to be in a position to go and serve in Ukraine, but all of us could make room in our spiritual rhythms to wish for our brothers and sisters there and in other vulnerable communities around the globe.
I wish you may see the look on people’s faces in Ukraine once I tell them that my friends within the West are praying for them. Their response is often, Thank you! Please tell everyone thanks for praying for us, and please don’t stop.
On considered one of my first trips back to Ukraine, I met a pastor who stayed to serve his church during Russia’s initial invasion—even after greater than 60 percent of his congregation had left the world. Hundreds of refugees showed up from other parts of Ukraine requiring special care. And yet considered one of the things he said, which can at all times keep on with me, is that he didn’t feel alone in his efforts due to sustained prayers of saints around the globe.
On the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, let’s proceed to recollect our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. This act of obedience will each bless them and enrich our spiritual walks. For as we grasp to the suffering of others, our hearts can expand to higher reflect God’s love for the world at large. Jesus remains to be at work amid the suffering of men, women, and kids in Ukraine, and we will partner in that labor by continuing to recollect them.
Andrew Moroz is a Ukrainian-American pastor and founding father of The Renewal Initiative.
