The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, has commended new prayer resources, ‘Prayers in a Time of War in the Ukraine’, which have been produced by the Church of Ireland’s Liturgical Advisory Committee. “I am sure many of us were distressed on waking up this morning,” Bishop Andrew said, “to learn the news from overnight of Russian forces’ invasion of a sovereign, independent, democratic European country. It is distressing to read reports of deaths in Ukraine and of explosions in some of its largest cities.
“This is an unsettling time. In many ways, we can feel powerless in such a situation. There is one thing, though, that we can all do, and that is turn to God our Father and place our trust in him. The Liturgical Advisory Committee has kindly prepared a number of prayers which I commend to you and encourage you to use.”
Prayers in a time of war in the Ukraine
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world:
We commend to your merciful care the people and government of Ukraine
that, being guided by your providence, they may dwell secure in your peace.
Grant to their leaders and all in authority,
wisdom and strength to know and to do your will.
Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve their people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God,
who has knit together in one family all the nations of the earth:
remove far from us the evil of war.
Pour out upon the leaders of the nations your spirit of peace,
restrain the passions of those who plan aggression,
strengthen the hands of those who strive for justice and peace
and hasten the time when the kingdoms of this world
shall become the kingdom of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
You can find more prayers for use during the crisis in Ukraine at this link: https://www.ireland.anglican.org/prayer-worship/worship-resources/prayers-in-a-time-of-war-in-the-ukraine