Four years have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine

The war, which began on February 24, 2022 with a full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, continues to severely affect the lives of millions of people in Ukraine and beyond. As Christians, we ask God for protection for those who suffer, comfort for the bereaved, and the gift of a just peace.

The Communion of Evangelical Churches in Europe (GEKE/CPCE) has published a prayer for Ukraine for this year’s anniversary and encourages member churches to use it in their worship services and during personal silences and devotions. The text was prepared by the Commission for Worship and Liturgy of the United Methodist Church in Germany.

Jesus Christ, you are light from light,
you are the fountain of truth,
you are the origin of justice.
With all your senses you are GOD,
and you know the reality of this war.

You, GOD, hear
the words,
the promises,
the disappointment,
the silence of those who have been silenced.
You hear the wailing of sirens and drones.

You, GOD, see
the lost everyday life,
the vanished cultural treasures,
the destroyed landscapes,
the ravaged creation.
You see the longing for peace.

You, GOD, smell
the smoke of fires,
the wounds,
the stale air in shelters and bunkers.
You smell the cold.

You, GOD, taste
the meagre meals,
the fleeting kisses,
the stale taste of numbness and helplessness,
you taste the exploitation, the betrayal, the self-interest.

You, GOD, feel
the broken hearts,
the pain of the left behind,
the shame of the abused.
You feel the despair and hopelessness.

—Silence—

GOD! Eternal One!
This war has lasted four years. Have mercy!

We pray for the victims of this war:
for the civilians, for the wounded, for the mourners and the traumatised.
Keep them in your healing presence.
Give them comfort and protection.
— Kyrie (sung)

We pray for the soldiers:
for all those fighting on both sides.
Protect them from brutalisation,
strengthen their conscience in the horror of war.
— Kyrie (sung)

We pray for the leaders in politics and in the military:
give them wisdom and the willingness to put aside power interests
for the welfare of all.
Lead them to serious peace negotiations.
— Kyrie (sung)

We pray for your Church:
for clergy and congregations in Ukraine, Russia and all regions affected by war.
Fill them with your hope and comfort,
that they may be signs of your peace.
— Kyrie (sung)

We pray for your people:
for those who persevere,
for those who leave their country and for those who take them in.
For those whose hearts are in their distant homeland.
For those who are indifferent.
Awaken humanity, which is stronger than hate.
— Kyrie (sung)

Jesus Christ,
Light from Light,
we look to you.
Let your light be stronger than the darkness.
Make us lights in this world too –
today and every day.

[Commission for Worship and Liturgy of the United Methodist Church Germany]

The Community of Evangelical Churches in Europe (GEKE/CPCE) brings together Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist and United Churches in Europe and South America, representing approximately 50 million Protestants; it is based on the Leuenberg Concordat (1973), which expresses mutual recognition and communion of word and sacraments.

Source: leuenberg.eu.