Last week we celebrated a Blessing of the Animals service down at the foreshore, so I thought that this Sunday we would repeat a prayer that we prayed this time last year for the animals in Ukraine.

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…

Merciful God, tonight we pray especially for the animals terrified, wounded and killed as a result of the brutal war in Ukraine. 

We pray for dogs, cats, horses and other beloved companion animals left behind by their people unable to take them as they flee raining rockets of destruction. 

We pray for animals who have already died or are near death – the victims of shrapnel, gunfire, collapsing concrete and steel from exploding buildings, many months without much food, water or human care. 

We pray for the rescuers of these animals, who risk their lives in the rubble, dodging gunfire and mortars, and give thanks for their generosity, courage and faithfulness in their determination to help. We pray for their safety.

We pray for the missile-ravaged towns and cities and their wooded outskirts where wild creatures are traumatized by every percussive blast, for those that are killed, maimed or displaced and unable to find food or shelter in the chaos of war.

Dear God, we pray for all your creation, and for a time when war will be no more. Amen.

The Rev Marya DeCarlen

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, Creator of all people and source of all love,

we are saddened.

We are saddened by the unleashing of horror and destruction in Ukraine.

We are angry.

We are angry that lives are shattered, that homes are levelled and innocence is trampled.

We are dismayed.

We are dismayed that again the guns of war,

have drowned out the talks for peace.

And we pray.

We pray that hard hearts of conquest will be softened.

We pray that the very best practices of peace will prevail among leaders.

We pray gratefully that your spirit of healing and hope is present, for victims of suffering,

for helpers responding,

for soldiers sent to war,

for leaders deciding.

And we are committed as your people,

as disciples of your gospel of reconciliation,

To wage peace, as we are able, in Ukraine,

and in all your good and lovely creation.

All this we pray in the name and healing spirit of Jesus.

Amen.

(Mennonite Central Committee)

Loving God,
because you have the whole world
in your hands,
cradle gently those who are rocked by fear, shocked to a depth they have never known and frightened to face tomorrow.

On the people of Ukraine: their children, their old people, their vulnerable adults,
their babies soon to be born, Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.

On the people of Ukraine: their defenders, their advocates, those who care for the wounded, who sit with the despairing,
who witness and report
on the savagery and destruction, who bury the dead.  Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.

On the people of Ukraine: their leaders
that they may continue to inspire,
in word and by example,
and continue to receive help and solidarity from across the world. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.

On the people of Russia,
that they might learn the truth kept from their hearing;
On the churches in Russia that they might find
the vocabulary and courage
to speak truth to power,

On the soldiers of Russia who do not believe
in the carnage they cause. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.

On the Russian president,
and those who affirm his policies, we ask the judgement of heaven, a radical conversion
and an end to their lies, scheming and murder. Lord hear us,
Lord graciously hear us.

And for our own nation
we ask for commitment to match conviction so that the pain of the Ukrainian nation
be shared by us,
their weary people sheltered by us,
their peace assured by us.  Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us. Amen.

(Prayer on the Wild Goose website. It was part of a liturgy for Ukraine.)

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 manoeuvres 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

War is terrible but you find us, Loving God.
You find us anxious as conflict rages in the country of Ukraine.
You find us angry at the senseless loss of life,
you find us distressed as civilians are caught up in a terrible war,
you find us grieving over the death of innocent bystanders.

War is terrible but you listen to us carefully, Loving God.
You listen as we ask the politicians, “Can’t you work for a peaceful solution?”
You listen as we say to the aggressors, “Don’t put children or hospitals at risk.”
You listen as we give thanks for countries that welcome those displaced
with big hearts and open arms;
you listen as we fear for journalists who put themselves in danger
to report the truth.

War is terrible but you give us hope, Loving God. 
Hope that leaders will patiently give peace a chance.
Hope that despite the heartache, the terror, and the loss,
places of sanctuary will be found and acts of kindness will take root and grow.
Hope that feelings of revenge for broken livelihoods and broken bodies
will be replaced by a willingness to restore community and to forgive.
We pray in the name of Jesus, crucified one. Amen 

―David Sparks

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…

Gracious and Merciful God,

We pray today for the Ukrainian people and ask for Your intervention in this senseless war levied against them by Russia. We pray, O God, for protection and that there would be peace. We pray for restoration and renewed hope. We pray for the families, especially, the children living through the horrors of war and all the upheaval and tribulation it brings. We also pray for those protesting in Russia against these violent acts by their government. We ask that You would protect, cover and keep these protesters as they put their bodies on the line in the name of what is just and righteous. We pray for the entire world community, including the leaders in our own country. Give them wisdom and ingenuity to respond in ways that ends this war and moves us all to a world where Your peace abides. Hear the cries of Your people, O God. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Amen.

From Dr. Tony Kireopoulos, Associate General Secretary, Faith and Order and Interfaith Relations:

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,
Lead us 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 fill our heart, our world, our universe.
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…

A Prayer for Peace

We are moulded, each one of us,
in the image of God,
and within our souls there is a fingerprint
none can erase.
We pray for those who have no regard
for anyone but self,
who put no value on human life.
For nations and individuals who abuse and kill.
We are not called to be judge or jury,
but we are called to be agents of change,
and if the butterfly that flaps its wings
should be our attitude to others
then so be it, Lord,
and may the hurricane this generates
somewhere within the world
reach into the hearts and souls of those
for whom we pray, and reveal to them
how precious are those
for whom they have no love,
and how precious are they
who now bring tears to the eyes of God.

– John Birch

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.