The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) and European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) have called on Christians to hold a day of prayer in order to see an end to the war in Ukraine.

The groups are asking for evangelical churches to set aside the 24th August, Ukraine’s Independence Day, to “declare our dependence on God, the One who can bring true peace to the hearts of each individual person, each family and even entire peoples”.

The 24th August will mark six months since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Over the past six months, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced within their nation or fled abroad, with many families forced to separate from each other.”

“Let us pray for an end to the war, an end to the loss of life, an end to destruction and atrocities, and the beginning of healing, “the EEA general secretary Thomas Bucher said.

He continued: “Throughout history, God has changed hopeless and dire situations in surprising ways, and He can do it once again. And let us also pray for healing and for reconciliation, and that Russia and Ukraine could live in peace as independent, sovereign nations.”

Prayers will also be said for those impacted by the global repercussions of the war, especially the millions on the verge of famine as a consequence of the lack of grain exports.

“Although there have been some signs of hope with the recent agreement to allow the export of grain from Ukrainian ports, the situation remains a great concern. Let us pray that the grain can make its way to the places where it is needed most so that the most vulnerable are not suffering further consequences of a war that may be half a world away,” Bucher added.

The WEA has also created a guide for families to pray with their children for Ukraine.