Seventeen days ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. Like the rest of the world, I am angered by the level of aggression imposed on an entire country needlessly. Yesterday, I attended a solidarity event held at the Rothko Chapel. The Consulate General of Ukraine, Vitalli Tarasluk, and Consulate General of France, Philippe Etienne, Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, Martin Cominski, President & CEO of Interfaith Ministries, Michael Balahutrak, President of Ukrainian Culture Club of Houston, and along with nearly 100 people were in attendance. Vitalli Tarasluk, the Consulate General of Ukraine, spoke about the atrocities, the courage of the Ukrainian people, the impact of sanctions, and the humanitarian situation for Ukraine.

Melanie Lawson, a news anchor from ABC13, moderated a question/answer session with Vitalli Tarasluk and Philippe Etienne. I appreciated how candidly they spoke about the importance of this moment in time for the world and how we can help, even in Houston, Texas. We can donate through UNICEF.

As I listened to each of the speakers, these seeds of compassion prompted how the Power of Prayer is another action we can do to help the Ukrainian people. Prayer has numerous and incalculable benefits, but most of all, prayer restores our hope in dealing with the realities in front of us. Prayer can be a way to shoulder the burden of others. I offer all of us this opportunity to connect with our higher power.