The Samaritan's Purse COO reminded attendees that God has not forgotten them and that Jesus Christ is the only source of true peace—peace that no president or world leader can give.
Edward Graham addressed Ukraine National Prayer Breakfast attendees August 25, reminding the gathering of God’s love and care “for the people of Ukraine.” The event was modeled after the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast that his grandfather, Billy Graham, helped to establish.
Drawing from the account in Luke 23 of the thief crucified near Jesus Christ, Graham emphasized the man’s plea: for the Lord to remember him in His Kingdom. The people of Ukraine are not forgotten by God, the Samaritan’s Purse COO reminded them.
Graham spoke to the crowd about the thieves on the cross from Luke 23, encouraging people to find forgiveness for their sins in Jesus Christ.
“We love Ukraine because God loves the people of Ukraine,” Graham said. “Samaritan’s Purse isn’t going anywhere. We are going to continue to provide life-saving help on the frontlines in Jesus’ Name, and when peace is reached, we will roll out a large-scale program to rebuild the churches and ministries that have been destroyed.”
A number of national leaders representing multiple countries were among the attendees, including Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Lt. General (Ret.) Keith Kellogg, President Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine. Many Ukrainian military personnel were also in attendance.
Graham made the visit at the invitation of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was also in attendance. President Zelenskyy made the request during a Berlin meeting in May 2025 with Edward Graham and Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham.
Graham also encouraged the audience to “come to Jesus Christ in faith” and prayed for peace in a region suffering “the pain and horror of war.”
“Most importantly, I am praying that the people of Ukraine will find a peace that no president or world leader can give, but that can only come from putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ,” he said.
Many Ukrainian soldiers were also in attendance at the Ukraine Prayer Breakfast. Graham encouraged them that he was praying for an end to the bloodshed, but most importantly, that the nation would find peace in Christ.
Local Staff and Church Partners Serving in Jesus’ Name
Graham also met with Samaritan’s Purse staff members serving on the ground in the war-torn country, encouraging them in their work of providing critical aid and helping communities rebuild in a homeland being torn apart by conflict.
Some of staff members are residents of Ukraine: a number of them displaced from their homes and suffering along with the people they’re serving.
Air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv during this team meeting, underscoring the dangerous reality that millions of Ukrainians face every day.
The work of Samaritan’s Purse is also carried out through thousands of partner churches, providing both life-saving relief and also Gospel opportunities to children and families through our Operation Christmas Child project.
In interviews with international media, Graham explained the reason behind the work of Samaritan’s Purse among so many hurting people, and the reason he was eager to speak to the group. He wanted to share “the truth that God loves the people of Ukraine and that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins,” he said.
Since the conflict began, Samaritan’s Purse has distributed over 277 million pounds of food, 32 million gallons of clean water, 13,000 wood-burning stoves, and 1.1 million Bibles while supporting 289 health facilities across Ukraine.
