Prayer for Ukraine
Alexander Pronin, president of the Pacific Association, participated in a united prayer for peace in Ukraine held at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on August 24, 2026. The prayer was part of a large gathering of Sacramento’s Ukrainian American community organized by Sunflower Society Sacramento and UA House.
This day held special significance for Ukraine in 2026, as the country marked the 35th anniversary of the declaration of its independence. Today, more than ever, this date is a reminder of the price of freedom. Amid the ongoing full-scale war, the Ukrainian people continue to defend their country’s independence and their right to determine its future.
The gathering at the State Capitol was therefore not only a celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day but also a time to remember those who gave their lives for the country’s freedom. Ukrainians and their American friends came together to express their support for Ukraine, honor those who had died, and pray to God for peace.
Representatives of the governor of California, local government agencies, and the offices of members of the U.S. Congress attended the event to support the Ukrainian community. Representatives of the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco and the California National Guard were also present, along with journalists and members of the media.
Active volunteer, community, and immigrant organizations from Sacramento that have supported Ukraine and Ukrainians over the past several years also joined the gathering. The program featured musicians and choirs from various Sacramento churches, including a youth group from Grace Avenue Bible Church.
In this way, the gathering at the State Capitol brought together representatives of various civic, cultural, and religious communities around a shared purpose—to support Ukraine, honor those who had lost their lives, and pray together for peace and justice.
A united prayer for Ukraine held a central place in the program. The participants asked God for the complete liberation of Ukrainian territories, the protection of Ukrainian service members, and the preservation of their lives. They prayed for medical workers and volunteers who labor daily under extremely difficult conditions, saving lives and assisting those affected by the war.
Special prayers were offered for wisdom for the Ukrainian government and the country’s leaders, so that their decisions would help preserve the Ukrainian people and build the nation’s future. The participants also remembered the millions of Ukrainians who had been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge around the world to save their own lives and the lives of their children and loved ones. They prayed for God’s protection over Ukrainian refugees in the United States.
Particular attention was given to prayers for Ukrainian prisoners of war and their safe and speedy return home, for children forcibly removed from the occupied territories, and for civilians affected by the war. The participants also prayed for Ukrainian chaplains, churches, and ministers who continue serving military personnel and civilians despite danger and pressure.
The central request was for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, an end to the war, and the preservation of the Ukrainian people’s freedom and independence. Prayers were also offered for the United States, the American people, and the nation’s leaders—for wisdom, peace, and continued support for Ukraine.
The participation of Pacific Association President Alexander Pronin in the gathering demonstrated support for the Ukrainian people and their desire for freedom. For the Christian community, it is especially important not only to provide Ukraine with practical assistance but also to continue praying for the country, its defenders, its families, and its future.
On Ukraine’s Independence Day, the Ukrainian language, music, and prayer could be heard at the California State Capitol. People living thousands of miles from their homeland once again demonstrated that Ukraine remains in their hearts and that its desire for freedom continues to receive the support of American friends and partners.
We thank everyone who joined this gathering and the united prayer for Ukraine. Let us continue to pray for the country’s defenders, families, prisoners of war, Ukrainian children, churches and ministers, everyone affected by the war, and the establishment of a just peace.
May the Lord protect Ukraine!
Svetlana Iotko
