Ukraine prayers
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BRIGHTWATERS BENEFICE
PRAYING FOR UKRAINE
In these times we can sometimes feel at a loss to know what to pray and so below are some prayer resources from different traditions you might find helpful as we join in prayerful solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Reverend Helen
Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Church Of England Collect
God of all,
with alarm and concern we bring before you
the military intervention in Ukraine.
In a world you made for peace and flourishing,
we lament the use of armed force.
We mourn every casualty of this conflict,
every precious life extinguished by war.
We pray comfort for those who grieve
and those who are fearful.
Hear our longing that leaders and nations
will honour the worth of all people
by having the courage
to resolve conflict through dialogue.
May all our human failings be transformed
by your wonderful grace and goodness.
We ask this in the name of Christ,
the author of peace and sustainer of Creation.
Amen.
United Reformed Church
Holy and Gracious God
We pray for the people of the Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders.
We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear.
We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness.
We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace.
We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ.
Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine.
And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son.
Lord have mercy. Amen
Methodist Church Prayer
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
Ukraine support
Hosting or Supporting Ukrainian Refugees
We are aware that many in our churches and wider communities are keen to support, in many different ways, refugees who may be making their way here due to the war in Ukraine. This is a fast moving and ever changing situation and we are working hard to gather as much information and support as we can and to connect with others in our local area. Below you will find some details we have already and we will share more as we have them.
If you are aware of anything else that is happening in our local area please do let Rev Helen know so she can add it to our list.
A good place to start is a toolkit produced by the Church of England which provides much food for thought in how we can respond well to this unfolding crisis.
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You can access the toolkit here: Church of England Ukraine Toolkit
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If you are hoping to host a Ukrainian Family RESET - Is a government portal which matches you with Ukrainians seeking somewhere safe to stay and performs checks before matching refugees and households. There are other organisations carrying out a similar services but without the safeguarding checks which local people have contact with.
St Mary’s Church, Overton, 3rd May, 7.30pm
There is an event for all those locally who are hoping to host a family or to volunteer in some other way. There will be speakers, information shared and the opportunity to connect with others who are hoping to help. Volunteering Support in Other Ways We are currently looking at a simple way to locally coordinate matching offers of help to the people who need them eg: if someone is hosting a family with a baby and needs to find a cot, or needs an extra set of pots and pans or if someone can help with lifts to appointments. If you are gifted in organising or coordinating something like this and may be able to help, please contact Rev Helen or Rev David.
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However there are already organisations working on this on a wider scale.
If you are interested in exploring how you could get involved the following may be good places to start.
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Event at St Mary’s Overton on 3rd May - See above for details.
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Winchester City of Sanctuary - An umbrella site which has links to other groups supporting refugees in the local area. They are also building a list of Meeting Spaces for refugees in Winchester, the first of which is the United Church on Jewry Street which is open Saturday mornings between 10-12 as a place for refugees to build community.
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Test Valley Borough Council - Are working with their partner Unity to coordinate those with particular skills or services they can offer to Ukrainian refugees, they are particularly interested in Ukraine nationals already living in the area. If there is something you feel you can offer then you can contact Unity on 0330 4004 116 or email Greg.alexander@unityonline.org.uk
From Dorrie Bilson:
This morning on the Lectio 365 daily devotional that I use there was a lament for Ukraine which I found helpful.
Today the war in Ukraine enters its ninth week. 46,000 people have already died. At least 12 million have already been displaced and in recent days we have seen a continual stream of shocking images of the continued Russian bombardment particularly in the East of Ukraine.* Today therefore in response to this ongoing crisis our prayers are going to be a little different. But first…
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Pause
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God.
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Pause and pray
In response to a personal request from President Zelensky, we have been invited by one of Ukraine’s Chief Rabbis to pray the words of Psalm 31 in solidarity with his people at this time. This ancient lament is finding new meaning for many in Ukrainian hospitals, refugee camps and bomb shelters, amidst the wreckage of war.
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Rejoice and Reflect
As I prepare to pray the words of Psalm 31, I picture the people of Ukraine, pausing regularly to repeat its hopeful 21st verse:
Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
Psalm 31:21 (NIVUK)
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Ask
Psalm 31 - An ancient Psalm of David that has become a contemporary prayer for the people of Ukraine:
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Psalm 31:1-2 (NIVUK)
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Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.
Psalm 31:3-5 (NIVUK)
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Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
as for me, I trust in the Lord.
I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.
You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.
Psalm 31:6-8 (NIVUK)
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Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and body with grief.
My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
and my bones grow weak.
Psalm 31:9-10 (NIVUK)
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Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbours
and an object of dread to my closest friends -
- those who see me on the street flee from me.
I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.
For I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!"
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
Psalm 31:11-14 (NIVUK)
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Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
Yield
My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.
Let me not be put to shame, Lord,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and be silent in the realm of the dead.
Let their lying lips be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
Psalm 31:15-18 (NIVUK)
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Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.
In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling
from accusing tongues.
Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.
Love the Lord, all his faithful people!
Psalm 31:19-23a (NIVUK)
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Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I prepare to take this time of prayer into the coming day, the final verse of this powerful Psalm assures me that…
The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full.
Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:23b-24 (NIVUK)
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Closing Prayer
Father, help me to live this day to the full,
being true to You, in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others,
being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost,
proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.
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*Source: Reuters, 21.04.2022
https://lectio365.24-7prayer.com/share/devotional/2022-04-22/day.