The First Saturday in Lent:
A prayer for Russian and Ukrainian people, from The Church of Ireland
Lord of all people and all nations,
we pray for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia;
each child, each adult living in fear of what tomorrow might bring.
We long for a time you spoke of through your prophet Isaiah,
when weapons of war would be beaten into ploughshares,
when nation will no longer lift up sword against nation;
we cry out to you for peace.
Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety.
Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression.
Fill earthly leaders with the wisdom to follow paths to peace.
May your will be done here, on earth as it is in heaven.
May your peace reign, now and always,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Disturbing God,
you identify with the weak and powerless,
and surprise us as we seek to do your will.
Help us to find true hope in the now
of our action, rather than in
the distant future of
our longing.
Joy Tetley, England.
We give thanks to you, O God, even for this terrible time, but only because we trust that you are in it, working for the good of us all and sanctifying to us
our deepest
distress.
When St. John Paul II visited Ukraine in 2001, he began his apostolic pilgrimage with a prayer asking for the intercession of Our Lady of Zarvaniza . He prayed this at the Greek-Catholic Church of St. Nicholas in Kyiv.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Zarvaniza,
from this city of Kyiv the light of the Orthodox faith
spread through this country and the whole of Russia.
Holy Mother of God, spread your maternal mantle
over all Christians and over all people of good will
who live in these great nations .
Lead them to your Son, Jesus,
who is for everyone
the way, the truth
and the life.
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