Franklin Graham Calls for a Ceasefire In Ukraine for Holy Week

President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and of Samaritan's Purse, Franklin Graham has written to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asking for a ceasefire during the 10 days of Easter observances.

Graham has 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 and he himself testified to the atrocities caused by the war. "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," Franklin writes. 

The evangelist continues, "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."

Samaritan's Purse has established a field hospital in western Ukraine. It is operating medical clinics and distributing relief items through 3,000 church partners in Ukraine and Moldova. The charity has made five airlifts, delivering more than 185 tons of supplies since March 4.  

Tags : Billy Graham Evangelistic Association samaritan's purse Franklin Graham Russia Ukraine Ukraine war Vladimir Putin Volodymyr Zelenskyy