PRAYERS FOR UKRAINE & THE WHOLE WORLD

PRAYER    

Each day seems to bring more news of the horrors of war around the world.  

We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and we lift to God the horror of the war in Israel and Gaza.

We pray for innocent lives destroyed and lives changed forever by the violence and we share the International Prayer for Peace 

Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth

Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust

Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace

 Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe  

We remember especially those who have died, those who are grieving, the injured and those now without food, shelter or medical supplies.

We pray also for those who have the power to bring peace.  

May they be touched by a spirit of compassion and kindness.

Lord in Your mercy hear our prayer.

We pray in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Lord of Life

Amen 

************************************************************************************

this prayer comes from Christchurch Cathedral in New Zealand 

God of many names, lover of all peoples 

we pray for peace in our nations and in our world. 

 

We pray for all who have the awesome responsibility  

of power and decision-making. 

 

We pray for the innocent victims of violence and war. 

Lead us and all peoples of the world 

from death to life, from falsehood to truth. 

Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. 

Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. 

Let peace with justice fill our hearts, 

our world,

our universe.

AMEN 

 

 

 

A Prayer for Ukraine 

 

A Prayer to End Violence Through Forgiveness

Father, violence is never the answer.  

It destroys Your good creation and it grieves Your heart when people resort to it.  

Despite the world knowing who You are, they do not know the peace that You can give them. Lord, we ask that You arise and put an end to all violence.  

Extinguish pain and misery wherever it is found, and spread Your gift of grace and peace upon the face of creation.  

Let forgiveness reign and end the bloodshed.  

Through Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.

(From Connect Us) 

 

Lord, in this time of confusion and mistrust, we pray for those in government that they will provide honest wisdom and encouragement, that they will have clarity to know what issues are most important, and work with humility and harmony to address the current crisis, to support the vulnerable, and provide a stable economy so that all may be able to support themselves and their families and face the future without fear. We continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. Lord breath peace into the hearts of the Russian leaders we pray. And we pray for the people of Somalia, that they will receive the resources they need so desperately for food, shelter and medical aid. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer. Amen ………………………

PRAYER

We pray for the people of Ukraine, that peace may return to their country 

 

Today, Lord, I live in your Spirit,

 You make life to shine.
As lungs take in air to sing I walk filled in your Spirit,
The fruits of my hoping, The fruits of my living.
Today, Lord, I live in your love –
love that will speak to others with the sound of your grace,
Full of mercy and forgiveness,
Foundation of my faith,
The fruits of my living.

Deacon Gwynn Bamford, supernumerary, Bromsgrove and Redditch Circuit

Prayer for peace 

 Lord God, As Ukraine prepares itself for yet more missile attacks from Russia, we pray for peace We lift to you those whose lives have been so badly damaged, and those who have lost loved ones. We hold in prayer those who have fled leaving behind everything they had. Father, even when things seem hopeless, we know that through You, we are never without hope. We pray that You will breathe Your Spirit of Peace through this troubled world, that the horrors of war may cease and peace rule in all lands. Through Christ our Lord, Prince of Peace 

Praying for Peace in our hearts and in the world Almighty God,
You are the only source of health and healing.
In you there is calm, and the only true peace in the universe.
Grant to each one of us Your children an awareness of Your presence,
and give us perfect confidence in You.
In all pain and weariness and anxiety teach us to yield ourselves to Your never-failing care,
knowing that Your love and power surround us,
trusting in Your wisdom and providence to give us health and strength and peace when Your time is best. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 
                                                            

************************************************************** 
 

 

Almighty, all-merciful God,

through Christ Jesus you have taught us to love one another,

to love our neighbours as ourselves,

and even to love our enemies.

In times of violence and fear,

let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts,

so that we may not be overcome with evil

but overcome evil with good.

Help us to see each person in light of the love and grace

you have shown us in Christ.

Put away the nightmares of terror

and awaken us to the dawning of your new creation.

Establish among us a future where peace reigns,

justice is done with mercy, and all are reconciled.

We ask these things in the name

and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We pray for peace in a broken world

*****************************************************************

Be still...

Life whirls along,  more to do, to be, to go.

Lost touch with silence,  with simple and inward.

What effort is needed to simply be salt?

How much hurry required to abide in the Vine?

 

Somewhere is balance

 

To press ever onwards, or cultivate a quiet heart?

Run the race for the prize, or let go of wins, and prizes?

 

Be still, and know that I am God.

 

Thus He calms me, He quiets my soul in His arms

                                                                                                Christine Rigdenraine


**************************************************************

Almighty God,

We pray for peace in Ukraine. We pray for Your peace to endure through wicked schemes, through upheaval and war. May the plans and actions of those who seek power by violence and suffering be brought to an end, and peace be restored.                            

We pray for humanitarian aid to be provided for the people of Afghanistan who have been hit by the Paktika earthquake, for emergency shelter, food and medical aid.

We pray for all who answer the call to help in disastrous circumstances – give them Your strength Lord, and the resources they need to provide the help so badly needed.

 Let Your peace that surpasses all understanding keep all the Earth in Christ.

Amen. 

***************************************************************************

Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

Lord we ask for peace for those who need peace, reconciliation for those who need reconciliation         
and comfort for all who don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

Lord may your Kingdom come, and Your will be done.

  

    Lord God, we ask for you to be with all – especially children who are suffering                                             
as the crisis in Ukraine deteriorates.
Lord for those who are anxious and fearful.
For those who are bereaved, injured or who have lost their lives.
And for those who have lost loved ones. Lord hear our prayers.                                                                        

Amen

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.(2 Thessalonians 3:16 )

 

******************************************************************

Holy God, we hold before You all who live close to war and conflict

and all who live close to the threat of war and violence.

We remember the people of Ukraine and Russia and pray for a peaceful resolution to conflict.     Give us all hearts of hospitality and sanctuary, forgive us  for all hostility and hatred.

Bring all people to the humanity you gave us and to the reconciliation and healing                   for which You gave Your life.

Strengthen us all to work with You to bring justice and peace, reconciliation and healing,              in our hearts and homes, in our streets, in all communities, neighbourhoods and nations.

Bless all who live lives for the peace and wellbeing of others, and make their service fruitful.

In the Name of Christ.    Amen

Inderjit Bhogal , honorary president, Fellowship of Reconciliation

*****************************************************************

Rev. Volery Antonyuk, President of the Ukrainian Baptist Union, praying in Lviv at Easter

 

                         Our Great Almighty Lord and God                                                                                            

                          Creator of the universe, we worship You, we glorify You

                          These are joyful Easter days

                          Thank you for the Lord Jesus Christ, for His resurrection,

                           For victory over the powers of evil and death.

                           And today all of Ukraine, the people in Ukraine, call upon You.

                           We worship You, living God and we ask for Your mercy.

                           May Your hand be stretched out over our people. Give us peace and blessings

                           And wherever evil is, that we will overcome it by Your power.                          

                           We believe in You, we love You, we worship you

                           Yesterday, today and forever as a living God.

                           May Your name be blessed and glorified in heaven and earth.

                            In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit                                        Amen

****************************************************************

Pastor Mykhailo Panochko in Lviv at Easter

Our Heavenly Father

In the name of Jesus Christ whom You sent to the world to die for our sins,
and to be resurrected for our jusification.

We give You thanks that You sent Your Son, not to judge but to save people,
to save us from our sins.

We thank You for the light of Your Sons resurrection.

We are grateful to You for this wonderful country we live in

We are grateful to You for the land of our parents and grandparents.

For the wonderful, fertile land of Ukraine, we thank You.
However great sorrow and trouble have come to our country.

A great wound was opened and rivers of tears and blood flowed in our country.                  

May our hands of prayer be supported by all the nations of the world.

                 For Your glory, Father and Son and Holy Spirit                                  Amen

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.                                        

Amen 

  Almighty God, we pray for an end to the violence of war in Ukraine

We pray that You would change the head, heart and plans of President Vladimir Putin

We pray for protection for all especially the most vulnerable

For families who are separated

For all those who are conscripted and forced to fight against their will

For the displaced and those who welcome them

For those who have stayed in places of extreme danger

For all who offer help and resources and all who ensure that resources reach the places where they are most needed

For those who grieve and mourn the loss of peace and security and loss of life

For the  healing of all who will experience physical, emotional and spiritual trauma

Lord, we pray that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven                     Amen

*****************************************************************

           God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace,
have mercy on our broken and divided world.
Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all
and banish from them the spirit that makes for war,
that all races and peoples may learn to live
as members of one family
and in obedience to your law,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.                  
Amen

*****************************************************************************

                                                                          Sovereign God,                                                                                 

We pray for the nation of Ukraine, its leaders and people.

We pray that you would make your presence known to them at this time of strife.

We pray for their protection and for an end to the Russian invasion.

We pray for the innocent, the frightened, the dispossessed, and those who have lost loved ones, homes and family.

We pray that you would bless the endeavours of those who work for peace and an end to this conflict.

Have mercy, we pray, on Ukraine.

May your peace rule in the hearts and minds of all.

Continue to stir up the leaders of the world to work together for the good of all.

We pray this in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen. 

 *****************************************************************************

                      Loving God, your Son Jesus Christ, wept over Jerusalem. 
Today, we weep over Ukraine.

We weep for those uprooted from their homes and lives.

We weep for those cowering in basements.

We weep for those who have witnessed death and destruction on their streets.

We weep for those separated from parents, from children, from spouses and siblings.

We are amazed at the resilience of people seeking to comfort those in need and so we pray for Governments opening up borders so that Ukrainians can have safe passage.

We pray for churches and individuals providing food, clothing and shelter.

We pray for medical workers ensuring that shattered bodies are put back together again.

We pray for ordinary Russians demonstrating and voicing their disapproval of the military actions in Ukraine.

May the Holy Spirit give us the willpower to turn our tears into action also.

May we, through our words, prayers and example pursue the things that make for a just peace in the world today and especially in Ukraine.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen
   
***************************************************************************** 

 from Dilys Ward 

Loving God,
we pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders for compassion,
strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world that in moments of crisis 
we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need

May we walk in Your ways so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for the world.
           Amen.        

        ***********************************************************       

               from Worcester Cathedral                 

Lord of all the earth,
be present with the people of Ukraine
at this time of danger, fear and conflict.
Grant that wise and peaceable counsels may yet prevail,  
and give to all suffering nations
the freedom they desire and deserve.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

***********************************************************

                                Prince of peace, Lord of light, God of grace                                       As we hear of war and invasion, we pray to You for peace.
In a world of conflict and violence, we pray for all who live in fear,         
especially today the people of Ukraine.
We lament with You, and pray for peace.
Prince of peace, Lord of light, God of grace,
                         Show us how to pray for peace today                          

Amen

***********************************************************

Next are extracts from a letter sent by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Christians in Great Britain

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid. John 14.27

 Many of us will have troubled hearts as we watch with horror the attack by Russia on Ukraine. As we have already said, this attack is an act of evil, imperilling as it does the relative peace and security that Europe has enjoyed for so long.
The attack by one nation on a free, democratic country has rightly provoked outrage, sanctions and condemnation.
 We lament with the people of Ukraine, and we pray for the innocent, the frightened and those who have lost loved ones, homes, and family. We continue to call for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces as well as wide-ranging efforts to ensure peace, stability and security.

These events remind us powerfully that peace is precious and it is fragile. In Chapter 14 of John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples at the Last Supper and he leaves them his peace. This is not a mere greeting, but rather something deep and abiding. This peace is something that only Jesus gives; for it is a gratuitous gift, a way of living, something to be received for the gift of peace is the gift of Jesus himself. That is why the Lord is able to offer reassurance to our hearts, why those who receive the gift of the peace of Jesus Christ at the deepest of levels should not be afraid. Peace, therefore, is so much more than the absence of war. It is a gift, and it is also a decision, a gift that must be received. It is a choice we make that shapes the w

 In these days of uncertainty and fear, we pray that each of us might again turn to the Lord and receive God’s gift of peace, work for God’s justice, know God’s reconciliation and love, and choose paths not of hatred or destruction, of violence or retribution, but God’s way of justice, mercy and peace.

As Christians, our response to a crisis must always be rooted in prayer. And so we invite you to join with us in praying most earnestly for an outpouring of the Spirit of God, that the world may once again choose peace, strengthening those international bodies that enable us to work and live together as one humanity inhabiting one world.
 We pray for those in Ukraine who suffer grievously, for all who take decisions around the world,
and for the people and leaders of Russia too. 

However and whenever you pray, pray that the world may choose peace, and be assured of our prayers for you.

******************************************************************