Franklin Graham is calling for a ceasefire from April 15-24, which encompasses Easter observances worldwide. He’s asking churches around the globe to pray during this time.
Franklin Graham is asking Christians around the world to pray over the situation in Ukraine, and for leaders on both sides of this tense, deadly conflict to consider a 10-day ceasefire beginning Good Friday, April 15, through Orthodox Easter, April 24.
Watch Franklin Graham’s Easter message:
During his time in Ukraine this week, his second visit to the war-torn nation in a month, Franklin Graham was struck by the gravity of the conflict there, and the dire situations millions of people now find themselves in.
“Each person has a story of devastation, heartbreak, and loss. You can see the pain on their faces,” he wrote on Facebook Monday. “The people of Ukraine need our continued prayers and help.”
Samaritan’s Purse has an Emergency Field Hospital set up in Lviv and multiple medical clinics around the country. We are also distributing tons of food and non-food relief items through our network of partner churches.
“This is a man-made disaster, a historic humanitarian crisis—and I believe God is the only solution,” he shared on Facebook. “I am urging Christians around the world to pray for God to work in the hearts of leaders involved and to intervene and bring peace and an end to the conflict.”
When asked why he’s calling for a ceasefire for just 10 days, Graham responded, “If they can stop fighting for a week or 10 days, maybe they can stop fighting for two weeks. If they stop for two weeks, maybe they can stop for a month. If they stop for a month, maybe they can stop for good. You’ve got to start somewhere.”
Franklin Graham’s full post:
We have all been heartbroken to see the lives that are being utterly devastated by the deadly conflict going on in Ukraine since February 24. I just returned from Ukraine where Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association have teams working to bring help since just after the fighting began. This is a man-made disaster, a historic humanitarian crisis—and I believe God is the only solution. I am urging Christians around the world to pray for God to work in the hearts of leaders involved and to intervene and bring peace and an end to the conflict.
I have written to Russian President Vladimir Putin and to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asking for a ceasefire from April 15-24 which encompasses the 10 days of Holy Easter observances around the world. I shared with them that I will be calling on churches in Ukraine, Russia, and around the globe to join together in prayer during those 10 days. May we humbly unite before the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Prince of Peace, to ask for His help and mercy.
Someone asked why I asked for a ceasefire just for 10 days. If they can stop fighting for a week or 10 days, maybe they can stop fighting for two weeks. If they stop for two weeks, maybe they can stop for a month. If they stop for a month, maybe they can stop for good. You’ve got to start somewhere.
I pray there will be an end to this horrible conflict even sooner—Today! But if not, maybe this could be a starting point. Will you join me in this prayer?
Samaritan’s Purse has an Emergency Field Hospital set up in Lviv and multiple medical clinics around the country. We are also distributing tons of food and non-food relief items through our network of partner churches.