Evangelist Franklin Graham has called on Christians worldwide to pray for a crucial summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, scheduled for Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, aims to address the ongoing war in Ukraine. Experts say the summit could shape both the conflict’s future and the broader security landscape in Europe.
Graham, 72, shared his appeal on social media, urging followers to pray for both leaders. “Pray that God will give President Trump His wisdom that surpasses all understanding. And pray for President Putin, that God would work in his heart to bring peace and an end to the bloodshed,” he wrote. Graham previously met Putin in 2015 and also prayed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in May.
Earlier in March, Graham had called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict following a tense meeting between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelensky. Reflecting on that meeting, he said it “was tense and unfortunately did not end well,” adding, “The progress we had all hoped for is again delayed. Pray for the people of Ukraine, and that there would be an end to this terrible war.”
As CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the aid organization Samaritan's Purse, Graham’s groups have been providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022. Shortly after the invasion, Samaritan’s Purse deployed disaster response teams to Poland and Romania to assist refugees, and in April 2022, Graham delivered an Easter sermon in Ukraine.
Graham’s call to prayer coincides with a multi-day event organized by Orthodox Christians in Alaska, representing the majority faith in both Russia and Ukraine. The Orthodox Church of America (OCA), which traces its roots to Russian Orthodox missionaries nearly 200 years ago, has over 80 parishes in Alaska and hundreds more across North America.
Starting Aug. 12, Archbishop Alexei of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska encouraged the faithful to pray “for the intercessions of Saint Olga so that peace may be achieved in the upcoming summit and that families suffering and broken be given relief and comfort.” He added, “Our world continues to grieve the war in Ukraine and the immeasurable sorrow borne by Ukrainian and Russian faithful alike. Whatever earthly negotiations may achieve, we know that ‘the hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord’ (Proverbs 21:1). We therefore set aside this week as a time for the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska to pray for peace in Ukraine and Russia.”
Adapted from The Christian Post.
