Prayer for Ukraine – Easter Sunday 2023
Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world.
Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life. Centre yourself and
pray…
O God of love, we pray for the people of Ukraine,
the frail and the elderly,
the women and children who are left alone,
grieving families with loved ones who have fallen,
and the multitudes who have lost everything.
O God of peace, how we long that violence will cease,
that the machines of war, will be transformed into implements of peace.
Be with the leaders of this world,
that their decisions will be keenly oriented
towards a just and lasting peace.
O God of compassion, open our hearts, to care for the refugees who may come to our
shores and the needy stranger in our midst.
For Christ’s sake. Amen.
The Rev. Dr. Das Sydney, President, The Canadian Council of Churches

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world.
Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…
Jesus, Prince of Peace Bringer of Peace to our broken world, You call us to participate in the family business of peacemaking, So we come to pray for peace in Ukraine.
Those who want to bring fear, violence and destruction, restrain them Almighty God.
For troops on both sides, we pray for restraint.
For those negotiating, give them courage and humility to put the lives of the vulnerable and innocent at the centre.
For those who are living in fear, who have left their homes and live in crowded, difficult situations or foreign lands, protect them, be their shelter, bring your peace to their hearts.
For those who have been relentlessly driving to remote communities bringing food, medicines, warmth, light and hope, be their daily source of strength and safety.
For churches and individuals who have turned their church buildings and their homes into community hubs of care, supply them with all the resources they need as they seek to be your practical and hopeful presence.
For families in who are taking in refugees, fill their homes with love and patience and healing.
For the people of Russia who don’t support the path of their government, protect them from harm as they speak and live courageously.
Prince of Peace, bring peace in Ukraine we pray, show us how we can love and make peace from where we are. Amen.
(Innovista)

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world.
Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…
God of peace, it has been a year since the country of Ukraine was invaded, bringing loss of life and loss of security, homes and livelihoods; bringing struggle, scarcity and hunger. We pray for the families that mourn loved ones lost in this conflict. We pray for you to provide comfort to the displaced and safety for those still in harm’s way.
God of peace, hear our prayer.
We offer prayers of gratitude for all those who have responded to this crisis with love and care; for those who have welcomed and sheltered refugees; and for those who have given generously to ease suffering in and beyond Ukraine.
God of peace, hear our prayer.
We pray for you to strengthen and renew in us a spirit of generosity and, that we may continue to practice solidarity, hospitality and care.
God of peace, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who seek a just and peaceful resolution to this and every conflict, we pray that you will keep our Ukrainian sisters and brothers safe from further harm and we pray that you will bring peace and comfort to the people of Ukraine.
God of peace, hear our prayer.
We offer these fervent prayers, remembering the words of the apostle James, “those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts.”
May we all sow such seeds. Amen
(Source: General Board of Global Ministries, presented Feb. 24, 2023)

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world.
Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life. Centre yourself and pray…
Father,
In our prayer today we acknowledge your greatness, your majesty, your power and your love.
One year since the invasion we acknowledge to you that our hearts are heavy that no resolution has been found.
We mourn the loss of life and the human toll conflict inevitably brings. The innocent victims who suffer greatly because of the actions of others.
We pray for families struggling with the reality of loss and of displacement either at home in Ukraine or in other parts of the world. Bring comfort and healing we pray. Bring hope to them today. Continue to surround them with offers of help and support.
We pray for churches and agencies trying to bring help both in Ukraine and around the world. Thank you for the generosity of others.
For volunteers we pray strength, wisdom, grace and energy as the journey seems longer now than ever before.
Father, we pray for peace. Blessed are the peacemakers. Raise up peacemakers, we pray.
We pray also for those in power. Grant them wisdom, rebuke and challenge when motives are directed toward anything other than a peaceful resolution.
In a troubled world, we pray, God our Father, that you would be present through your people, bringing comfort, healing and hope.
Sustain us all by your grace, we pray.
In the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
(Salvation Army International)

Content Warning: institutional child sexual abuse

Thursday 30^th March, 12.30 – 5.00pm on the front lawn of Toronto Uniting Church, 118 The Boulevarde, Toronto

What is Loud Sky?

LOUD SKY is a group exhibition including five contemporary Hunter-based artists who have developed work in consultation with people impacted by institutional childhood sexual abuse. The exhibition will work with the stories of survivors and explore the nature of remembrance and resilience. https://thelockup.org.au/loud-sky/

A community arts project will be exhibited for the duration of the LOUD SKY exhibition. The community of survivors, friends, family and supporters will collectively create thousands of flowers, made from ribbon and bamboo, to be installed on the grounds of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Cathedrals in Newcastle.

Once installed in large numbers in the grounds of both Cathedrals, the installation will act as a symbol of solidarity for the survivor community and as an acknowledgement of the profound impact of institutional child abuse in the Hunter area.

You are invited to participate

As part of the community of the Hunter region, Toronto Uniting Church is taking part in this project, to show our support for survivors, and to recognise with sorrow the legacy of institutional abuse in this region.

On Thursday 30^th March, 12.30 – 5.00pm you are invited to join us on the front lawn of Toronto Uniting Church, to make a ribbon flower. The activity is very simple and no distressing stories or images will be on display. Friendly and experienced support people will be present for anyone who needs someone to talk to.

There is no need to RSVP, simply come and participate in whatever way you choose. You will be very welcome. 

Prayer for Ukraine 12/03/2023
Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the
world.
Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…
Lord, tonight we pray for two things, firstly the Ukrainian soldiers defending their homeland. We pray for the brave Ukrainian men and women who are holding back Russian invaders on the front lines. Many of them have been fighting for months in trenches knee deep in mud and sleeping in shifts, as enemy soldiers often strike at night when it’s too dark to be seen. We pray for stamina, good sleep, and wisdom in decision-making for Ukraine’s
exhausted defenders. We ask that you reveal yourself to them in an undeniable way. Many Christian Ukrainian soldiers have shared stories of their fellow soldiers believing in Jesus after seeing Him clearly intervene on the battlefield.
We also pray for those people in Russian-occupied cities where life is unpredictable and terrifyingly quiet. After liberating some occupied towns in the spring and fall of 2022, the unspeakable horrors of war were readily evident. Internet and phone connections aren’t always possible in occupied areas, and many citizens haven’t been able to contact relatives for nearly a year. We pray for people surviving in these regions, and for their loved ones
who are unable to communicate with them. We remember these “forgotten” cities and towns in our prayers, because you Lord have not forgotten them. Amen.

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world.
Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…

Lord Jesus, this Scripture ignites our hearts to pray for children impacted by the horror and trauma of this war—children both in the Ukraine and in Russia. Thank you for your passionate, compassionate heart for children.

We channel our deep sadness, growing rage, and sense of helplessness as fuel for our prayers. So, Jesus, hear our laments, cries, and intercession for the most vulnerable ones. Our growing prayer list includes…

We pray for Russian children (and their moms) who have lost their fathers in this war, and haven’t received the news yet. Have mercy, Lord. We ask for a mighty Gospel work among the Russian soldiers. Bring many to a saving knowledge of yourself, Jesus.
We pray physical protection and provision for Ukrainian children in harm’s way.
Supernaturally, and otherwise, minimize the suffering and loss of life, Jesus. Keep the bombs away, and food in their stomachs.
We pray for children who are seeing things no child’s eye should ever see. Jesus, you are a great King and healer. By whatever means you chose—angels, loving parents, a direct work of the Holy Spirit, fellow believers… protect the hearts, minds, and imagination of children.

We pray for children immigrating from their homes to a new everything—obviously for Ukrainian families, but also for the growing number of Russian families seeking to do the same. Provide safely, welcome, shelter, and in your perfect timing, a home in the riches of the Gospel and eternal life.

Oh Jesus… please bring an end to this war soon. Amen.
Scotty TGC

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world.

Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.

Centre yourself and pray…

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 this moment 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 all the world.

Amen.

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world.
Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…
We pray for Ukraine and the safety and security of its citizens.
Bless those fighting to protect their homeland
with resources, courage, determination, and strength.
We pray for the refugees evacuating their homes.
Watch over them on their journey, provide for their needs,
and enable them to return swiftly to Ukraine.
We pray for the Russians protesting this invasion.
May their voices be heard and magnified,
and help bring an end to the conflict.
We pray for the countries offering humanitarian aid.
Bless them with abundant resources
to feed, clothe and shelter the refugees.
We pray for our world leaders determining history.
Bless them with wisdom, clarity, and unity
and enable them to act decisively for the greater good.
We pray for those who are suffering, grieving and afraid.
Bless them with hope and healing, comfort and connection,
and the knowledge that they are not alone.
We pray for our broken world, and the people in it.
Bless us with the ability to work together
to usher in an era of abiding peace.

– Rev Simon Hansford (Moderator)

O God, our God, the world is not what it was;
the ground has shifted,
the earth has taken people we knew and loved 
and we don’t know what to do,
or how to understand.

Hear our grief,
hear our lostness,
hear our prayer. 

We pray for the people of Türkiye and Syria,
as they are addressed by chaos.
As they act to save others, to provide safety,
to recover those who have died,
be present in all the destruction,
in grief, in calamity,
in every sign of hope and life.

Hear our grief,
hear our lostness,
hear our prayer. 

Urge governments to act, especially in Türkiye and Syria,
and in every nation,
that resources might be made available,
for hope, for recovery.

Hear our grief,
hear our lostness,
hear our prayer. 

Spirit with us, keep us mindful of our neighbours,
welcomed from that region of your world,
that we might share meals, and grief,
and stories with them,
offering them hope and hospitality
in their bewilderment.

Hear our grief,
hear our lostness,
hear our prayer. 

We pray, in time, that you lead these nations, these families,
these people, to life again;
holding their grief,
and enabling them to know your presence
is with them in every aspect of their lives,
even in their worst moments.

Hear our grief,
hear our lostness,
hear our prayer. 

May the hope we find in the risen, crucified Lord,
find them now and every day.
Through Christ we pray.

Amen.