Pray For Ukraine, Pray For Russia, Too

While the looming crisis of a Russian invasion of Ukraine unfolded last week, I had a serious sit-down talk with my kids to make sure we were all aware of what was going on and what was likely to happen. 

What have we made of what we have seen and heard on social media since the war broke out six days ago? How do we verify the validity of these claims? How can we be sure that there is no bias in the reports on our newsfeeds? How can we tell fact from fiction? What are the most reliable news sources available to us, considering that much of the information is controlled and broadcast by western media? How I wish I had all the clear answers to these questions.

I cautioned them to be careful about what they reshare on social media—to really think well before they click. To be mindful how they respond to FAKE news, as it is rampant everywhere you turn. They must verify the sources of the news they read, stay observant, and remain vigilant.

Amidst all the chaos, it is of utmost importance to adopt the right mindset so that we can continue to pray from a 360-degree perspective. We must ensure that hatred does not take root in our hearts as we witness a generation of angry, uninformed people mindlessly sharing lies and posting rants that only exacerbate the issue. We must also beware of so-called "social media influencers"; they, too, can be misled.

Why did Russia invade Ukraine? The dispute between these two nations goes a long way back. The answer can be found by looking back centuries to when Ukraine and countries like Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Poland, among other Slavic nations, were part of the Eastern Bloc or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). They share a deep geopolitical, economic, and cultural history; in many ways, they are like "brothers." 

Considered the world's largest country, Russia has no natural barriers that will keep its enemies away from its borders. Ukraine plays an important role in keeping Russia's enemies at bay, as its topography serves as buffer against any form of attack from invaders in Europe. Ukraine's geographic location is like a doorway to Europe; while being a neutral country, it serves to keep the Russian Federation intact as a nation. 

Back in the early '90s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, part of the agreement was that NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) would not expand its territories to the Russian borders. If Ukraine stayed a neutral country, Russia would remain intact. It was an agreement. Russia wants to maintain its geopolitical integrity away from the influence of the expanding Western world through its alliance with NATO. They want to do things their way—a kind of posture that Russia has always adopted, as seen in its history.  This agreement with NATO has not been honored. Since then, many other nations such as Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—formerly part of the Soviet Union—eventually became NATO allies while Ukraine has remained a neutral country. Times have changed, as the political climate in this region has shifted in favor of being one with NATO. 

• This should help us to understand why Russia is doing what it is doing; as NATO has expanded its territories over the last few decades, forging alliances with former Slavic states, welcoming Ukraine as an ally nation would make Russia's boundaries vulnerable to the rest of Europe. Russia is worried about its security as a nation and will do everything to protect its people and maintain its geographic integrity

• This should help us understand why Ukraine is doing what it is doing: fighting for its own freedom, to be able to think and decide for itself as a democratic nation just like its neighboring countries; for its own security, to be allies with NATO.

🙏 Pray for Ukraine.

 
🙏 But please, pray for Russia, too.

 
🙏 Pray for ALL the citizens who are directly and indirectly hit by this harrowing crisis.

 
🙏 Pray for our thousands of OFW kababayans in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia who, as of this writing, have endured the crippling effects of the sanctions that the EU has imposed on their banking system. Maraming nakaasang pamilya sa kanila dito sa Pinas. Kaya 'wag lang Ukraine ang ipag-pray natin. Isama natin sa panalangin ang Russia kase apektado tayong lahat dito. Malayo man tayo sa putukan, it will come knocking at our doorstep, one way or another. Not to cause fear and panic here but we see these events transpiring already. The EU sanctions come as a double-edged sword, hurting all the nations that are benefiting from these great nations that are at war with each other. Delayed cargo deliveries, prices of commodities dramatically shooting up, the international supply chain being adversely affected, and international flights being put to a sudden halt, to name a few.

 
🙏 Pray for the lives of precious children who were left orphaned by this senseless war.

 
🙏 Pray for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine; pray for President Vladimir Putin of Russia; pray for NATO and EU leaders that they will find it in their hearts to immediately stop this war and come to terms with this, choosing the highest good of God's people.

🙏 Pray for the peace of Ukraine and Russia alike. In these trying times, we pray that the Lord's purposes prevail and that leaders choose the highest good for all people.