Prayer for Ukraine

We are keeping a candle burning in church with prayers for the people of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict. The candle is in a purple jar that symbolises we are travelling through Lent, a time of reflection. In Lent we remember Jesus in the wilderness and we can offer our prayers in the wilderness of our fear and concern. The candle shows us that the light of Christ dispels the darkness.

You may like to use these prayers from our Sunday service:

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
We lament the brokenness of your creation and our part in that brokenness.
We lament at the injustice of the brutal invasion of Ukraine
Hear our cry against the wickedness of the indiscriminate bombing and shelling with no consideration
Hear our anger against the powerful who are waging this war. May they turn to the ways of peace.
Hear our cry for those in fear of their lives,
Hear our cry for those trapped in basements without food, water, heat or sanitation
Hear our cry for the women and children separated from their fathers, husbands, brothers and sons
Hear our cry for the children who are scarred by fear and injury
Hear our cry for the agony felt by all Ukrainians at the rape of their beloved homeland
Hear our cry for the Russians who protest this war and risk prison and abuse
We pray for those who are bombarded by misinformation and propaganda, that their eyes
might be opened to the injustice and wickedness of this war.
We mourn every casualty of this conflict, every precious life extinguished by war.
God of peace:
Hear our prayer

We cry out for mercy, for justice and we pray:
How long, O Lord?
How long must we have sorrow in our hearts?
God of peace:
Hear our prayer

As we see images of fathers sending their families to safety –
Of hymns and prayers being lifted to you in war-torn streets
Of urgent requests for help, prayer, sanctions, deliverance –
We remind ourselves that there is no place hidden from your hand, your heart.
We feel the helplessness that comes from watching others suffer–
Those who are separated from us by distance and language.
As we cry out we are reminded that you, alone, are sovereign.
God of peace:
Hear our prayer

We take strength from seeing the face of your Son, reflected in all the selfless generosity,
kindness and sacrifice of people around the world, particularly those on Ukraine’s western
border who welcome and care for the millions seeking refuge. We thank you for all who
seek to bring comfort and relief to those afflicted by war.
We place all this in your hands and ask you for the strength to bear it, and faith through
action to uphold the teachings of your Son, Our Saviour Jesus Christ even in the face of our
own prejudices, anger and fear.

Merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.