Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The latest news from half a world away is heartbreaking. Lives are upended, lives are lost, due to natural disasters. We respond as best we can with prayer, and at times material aid. But what has taken place this past week is a different kind of sorrow. It is the direct result of human evil, human fear, human aggression, the thirst for power and expansion. It is not a response to attack … it is itself an attack on a sovereign nation. Once initiated, such bloodshed is difficult to stop. Pride, saving face, the need to look strong on the world stage, prevents most from acknowledging and ending the error of decisions they’ve made.
The danger here, for Russia, for Ukraine, for Europe, for us and for the world goes far beyond the borders of the current conflict. One of the world’s three greatest militaries, with a vast nuclear arsenal, has now brought us to the doorstep of a devastating world war that would affect men, women, children in every nation in ways unimaginable. Many of us remember, some here been directly involved in, wars that have brought personal and national sorrow.
The danger here, for Russia, for Ukraine, for Europe, for us and for the world goes far beyond the borders of the current conflict. One of the world’s three greatest militaries, with a vast nuclear arsenal, has now brought us to the doorstep of a devastating world war that would affect men, women, children in every nation in ways unimaginable. Many of us remember, some here been directly involved in, wars that have brought personal and national sorrow.
And so, as a community of faith, trusting Almighty God, we pray.
Father, we are deeply affected by the heartache, the pain, the loss, of the Ukrainian people, and the people of Russia too. Give us compassionate hearts. Remind those of us here of the blessings we enjoy today, that those on the streets, and in the homes, of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, and hundreds of cities and towns in the Ukraine have had stripped away. We pray for our Christian brothers and sisters, some who are known to those here at Grace of Christ. We pray for Ukrainians who have settled in this country, our neighbors and friends, as they think of their families and their friends now facing the aggression of Russian leadership. We pray that You would, in Your mercy, keep the evil intentions of a few destroy the precarious peace in Europe, and by extension the world.
We also pray for other points of conflict and bloodshed, in Nigeria, in Ethiopia, in Syria, in Iraq. We have not forgotten Afghanistan, the Koreas, Pakistan, India, the drug related war in Mexico, tensions in the South China sea.
We also pray for other points of conflict and bloodshed, in Nigeria, in Ethiopia, in Syria, in Iraq. We have not forgotten Afghanistan, the Koreas, Pakistan, India, the drug related war in Mexico, tensions in the South China sea.
Bring awareness of this current foolish pursuit to President Putin and his circle of leaders. Infuse them with regret and common sense and a commitment to non-violent solutions. Provide wisdom and restraint for leaders of other nations, leaders of NATO, our own President, the Premier of China, so that decisions are made that reduce rather than inflame the current war. May the current aggression be contained and then swiftly concluded instead of engulfing the world in bloodshed and destruction. May calm and peace be restored. Give strength to Ukrainian citizens boldly, seemingly hopelessly, resisting for the sake of their families and homes. Be present with those in the military forces of Russia, those who are simply doing what they have been commanded to do, give them a full measure of humanity as they execute their orders. Help us to be instruments of peace. For all of this, and particularly this morning for those in Ukraine, we pray in the name of Jesus.
Psalm 46
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
a prayer for ukraine
used with permission from Janet Krieger
LORD, we pray because You listen. We pray because You care. And we pray this morning with great faith that Your Holy Spirit is moving in hearts and minds across space and time to intercede in Ukraine.
God, King of all nations, we lift to You the people of Ukraine. Rescue them from this enemy so that they may live without fear.
We call out to You Father to change this course of history our world is now caught up in. Bring to a halt the evil that is present. Give voice to peacemakers to respond with Kingdom wisdom; wisdom that is peaceful, gentle, willing to yield and full of mercy.
We pray for the Christians in Ukraine to be filled with courage and to stand firm in their faith. May they bind up broken hearts and bring comfort to those who mourn.
You LORD, bring wars to an end. We ask you to save the lives of Ukrainian people. Establish a lasting peace. We rest our hope in You. We call out to the world, be still and know God; He is to be honored among all nations. Amen
“We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, “in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.” Luke 1:74 -75
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” Isaiah 61:1
“He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” Psalms 46:9
“”Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”” Psalms 46:10
LORD, we pray because You listen. We pray because You care. And we pray this morning with great faith that Your Holy Spirit is moving in hearts and minds across space and time to intercede in Ukraine.
God, King of all nations, we lift to You the people of Ukraine. Rescue them from this enemy so that they may live without fear.
We call out to You Father to change this course of history our world is now caught up in. Bring to a halt the evil that is present. Give voice to peacemakers to respond with Kingdom wisdom; wisdom that is peaceful, gentle, willing to yield and full of mercy.
We pray for the Christians in Ukraine to be filled with courage and to stand firm in their faith. May they bind up broken hearts and bring comfort to those who mourn.
You LORD, bring wars to an end. We ask you to save the lives of Ukrainian people. Establish a lasting peace. We rest our hope in You. We call out to the world, be still and know God; He is to be honored among all nations. Amen
“We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, “in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.” Luke 1:74 -75
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” Isaiah 61:1
“He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” Psalms 46:9
“”Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”” Psalms 46:10
Join With Our ECO Presbytery in Praying for Ukraine
Pray for the protection and safety of the children, women and men caught in the crossfire of conflict.
Pray for easy access to safe shelter, clean water, and food for displaced families.
Pray for God’s healing for families who have lost loved ones to the conflict.
Pray for peace in the hearts of leaders and wisdom to seek out just solutions.
Pray for guidance for all humanitarian agencies monitoring the events in Ukraine that they will find the most efficient means to deliver emergency supplies to the most vulnerable.
Pray for easy access to safe shelter, clean water, and food for displaced families.
Pray for God’s healing for families who have lost loved ones to the conflict.
Pray for peace in the hearts of leaders and wisdom to seek out just solutions.
Pray for guidance for all humanitarian agencies monitoring the events in Ukraine that they will find the most efficient means to deliver emergency supplies to the most vulnerable.