Prayer for Ukraine 04/12/2022
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…
Bless the hands
that bring wholeness
to lives blighted by sickness.
Bless the saints who
in sad and desperate places
bring a sense of hopefulness.
Bless the Christians
facing daily opposition
showing a faithful witness.
Bless the generosity
of the rich and powerful
for the gift of thoughtfulness.
Bless the peacemakers
working in conditions
that are often hazardous.
Bless the politicians
whether good or bad
for decisions affecting all of us.
Bless our words and actions
as we carry your light
into places shrouded in darkness.
Bless your children
whoever they might be
with the warmth of your love and grace.
John Birch

Are you ?

It is 9 months and 3 days since the war in Ukraine began. As the war in Ukraine continues,
please pray your own prayer using the following prayer points: –

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…

1. Pray for the president and leaders of Ukraine to have wisdom
2. Pray for wisdom, strength, and courage for the soldiers who are protecting Ukraine.
3. Pray for civilians who have been displaced and for families who have been separated from each other as they have sought safety.
4. Pray for those still seeking shelter, that God would give them clarity and wisdom in making hasty decisions.
5. Pray for Ukrainians to seek and find the peace and hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ during this time.
6. Pray for Ukrainian believers to find comfort, peace, and strength in God and share the source of their strength with others.
7. Pray for God to enable the churches and missionaries of Ukraine to care for their people.
   By Anna Skudarnova

“I would just like all of this to stop”
Nine-year-old Diana longs to return to Odesa, Ukraine, where she resides on
the terraced hills overlooking a small harbour on the Black Sea.

When the sounds of exploding bombs grew louder, Diana’s peaceful life shattered. In late March, her mother, Ira, made the most difficult decision to quickly leave, gathering Diana, her older sister, Lisa, and Lisa’s 6-month-old son, Leonid, and head far away from Ukraine. They travelled on a minibus for more than 200 miles and through two countries, not knowing when they would return or what awaited them on the other side of the border.

The only item from home Diana has, is a red and white polka-dot stuffed toy octopus. She misses her cat. “She is fluffy and gentle and so sweet to play with — and she loves to eat a lot,” Diana says. “She stayed in Odesa with my dad.” Diana spends her days at a refugee transit centre in the border town of Iasi, Romania, where World Vision is supporting vulnerable children and families impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. She has no idea when she will see her dad, her beloved pet, or Odesa again. Her family’s plight weighs heavily on her mind. “I have no plans for the near future …

For now I would just like all of this to stop,” Diana says.

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, we come before You to pray for Diana, whose life has been turned upside down by the crisis in Ukraine. Lay Your comforting blanket of love around her and restore her sense of security and wholeness. Calm her anxious heart and mind.Show Diana Your love by sending kind and compassionate people her way to giveher and her family the support and care they need during this challenging time.

Eternal Father, we pray for the millions of children who have been forcibly displaced by this conflict. Only You can give children who are now refugees a senseof peace and stability that surpasses all understanding. Lord, surround all thoseaffected by crisis with Your supernatural protection and keep them from harm.

Amen”.

World Vision

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…

This week, let us pray for:
• Sustained nourishment as any food is hard to find
• Continued favour for orphans and at-risk children to receive
resources
• Safety and provision for orphans and vulnerable children evacuating
• Precious children to feel a sense of security only the Lord can
provide.

Your character does not change. We thank you and praise you for the
favour you have shown precious Ukrainian orphans in receiving vital resources for their survival.

Continue to pour out your provision with food that will sustain their
little bodies and minds.

Bring security and remembrance to their spirits as your
beloved children receive specific food they ask or think of knowing you are
listening. Lord, you use us to mobilize your provision.

Let us carry that burden with the responsibility orphans deserve.

Amen.

(From a Family for every Orphan)

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…

1.  Pray for the president and leaders of Ukraine to have wisdom.

2.  Pray for wisdom, strength, and courage for the soldiers who are protecting Ukraine.

3.  Pray for civilians who have been displaced and for families who have been separated from each other as they have sought safety.

4.  Pray for those still seeking shelter, that God would give them clarity and wisdom in making hasty decisions.

5.  Pray for Ukrainians to seek and find the peace and hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ during this time.

6.  Pray for Ukrainian believers to find comfort, peace, and strength in God and share the source of their strength with others.

7.  Pray for God to enable the churches and missionaries of Ukraine to care for their people.

By Anna Skudarnova 

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 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.

Prayer for Ukraine 16/10/2022

The war in Ukraine is now 234 days old

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 peace, our hearts are heavy
And our brains can barely keep up with the breaking news.
We don’t know what to say or what to do in a world so wounded.
So we come to you with hearts heavy for
All who sit in the crossfires of violence and acts of war.

O God of peace, be with the people of Ukraine.
With the mothers who carry babies to subway shelters.
With the fathers who hold their heads in their hands.
With the children who absorb the traumas.
Of violent acts of powerful men.

O God of peace, we don’t know the words to pray
For a warring world and all who are vulnerable in it.
We don’t pretend to know the extent of the damages
Or what tomorrow (or today) will bring.
But we know that you are a God of peace
And we can’t bomb our way to shalom.

O God of peace, comfort the crying and heal the hurt.
Tend the aching and soothe the fearful.
Make us instruments of your peace
Creating a sacred symphony where
Rhythms of grace are danced upon
And evil has lost its sting, now and forevermore.

O God of peace, hear our prayer. Amen.

Kayla Craig

Friday 28th October 2022