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We are inviting churches across Britain and Ireland to join together in an act of witness to pray for Ukraine on Sunday 26 February, for an end to the conflict and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war.
This act of witness will stand in solidarity with national services being organised with Churches Together in Britain & Ireland, Churches Together in England and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on 24 February.
Below is a prayer written by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church that we are sharing across our sponsoring churches that we would invite you to use with your church community.
A prayer for the one year anniversary of the war in Ukraine
Almighty and Great God, accept our gratitude for your boundless mercy towards us. Hear the supplication of our afflicted hearts for the land and people of Ukraine, as they confront foreign aggression and invasion. Open the eyes of those who have been overtaken by a spirit of deception and violence, that they be horrified by their works. Grant victory over the powers of evil that have arisen and bless Ukraine with your gifts of liberty, peace, tranquility, and good fortune.
We implore you, O Merciful God, look with grace upon those who courageously defend their land. Remember the mothers and fathers, the innocent children, widows and orphans, the disabled and helpless, those seeking shelter and refuge, who reach out to you and to their fellow human beings looking for mercy and compassion. Bless the hearts of those who have already shown great generosity and solidarity, and those who prepare to receive their Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Ukraine’s greatest time of need. Bring us together as your children, your creation, and instill in us your strength, wisdom and understanding. May you be praised and glorified, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.
Thanks to your gifts, we have been able to assist internally displaced people and refugees. We're working with partner organisations in the ACT Alliance throughout Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Romania to help those in dire need.
We are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, and urge the Government to support humanitarian efforts and welcome vulnerable people fleeing the conflict.
Dr Justin Thacker, our Just Scripture Advisor, leads us in a prayer for Ukraine.
We are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, and urge the Government to support humanitarian efforts and welcome vulnerable people fleeing the conflict.
A prayer for Ukraine by Sally Foster-Fulton, Head of Nations and Church Relations
Borders, barricades, bewilderment…
When the bargaining begins,
God please protect peace.
Sanctions, security measured in minutes and it’s scary…
When safety scatters,
God please protect peace.
War dresses up in peace-keeper’s clothes,
Troops amass, the ground trembles and so do people…
When the future feels fragile,
God please protect peace.
The littlest, the least likely to have a say,
Those whose lives are sanctioned and bargained over –
Violence always finds them first.
And the ‘oh-so-important’ political maneuvers mean nothing to them.
They just want to live.
When the winners want to wipe them out of the way,
God please protect peace.
We will not turn away. We will stand together –
God give us the strength to protect peace.
A prayer for Ukraine by David Thomas, Ireland's Church and Community Manager
Lord of all people and all nations,
We lift before you the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia,
Each girl and boy, each woman and man living in fear of what tomorrow might bring,
We long for a time you spoke of through your prophet Isaiah,
When weapons of war would be beaten into ploughshares,
When nation will no longer lift up sword against nation,
We cry out to you for peace,
Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety,
Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones,
Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression,
Fill earthly leaders with great wisdom to find paths to peace,
Please Lord come and have your way in your world,
May your will be done here, on earth as it is in heaven,
May your peace reign. Now and always,
We lift this prayer to you, our God who is able to do
more than we can ever ask or imagine,
In the name of Christ our saviour,