Pray for Ukraine

Second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

This Saturday, 24 February, is the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

To mark this, the below prayer has been written by a Ukrainian family who are being hosted by the Black Country Methodist Circuit.

Lord God of power,

You alone work miracles, so be kind to all and hear us.
Help us God, our Saviour, and deliver the people of Ukraine from persecution.
Come to our aid and destroy the intentions and unrighteous boldness of those who go to war against our people.
Calm those who oppose your commandments.
Grant us all peace, salvation and joy in our hearts.
For you are protection and salvation for those who trust in you.
We give you glory, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
Amen

Two years ago many of us looked on in complete shock that Putin had in fact invaded the neighbouring sovereign state of Ukraine. There have been so many ups and downs as the weeks and months have passed. A passionate defence which saw a Russian retreat from the fringes of Kiev. Rumours of the illness and even death of the Russian leader, a putative coup which came to nothing. Calls for military aid and other practical help. Refugees fleeing the bomb strikes to welcome in this country and elsewhere, and now what looks like stalemate on the battlelines of the south east of the country. For the first few weeks of the invasion it was front and centre in our news feeds but slowly it has slipped down the reporting, sadly replaced by other horrors, and in my own life, there have been other things which have taken my attention, in spite of the fact that every morning I put on a bracelet of blue and yellow in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Two years is a grim anniversary. Perhaps we might think of using it to re-focus where our attention has drifted. Prayers are still needed. Practical aid is still needed. Pressure on governments is still needed to lend their support to the people of Ukraine and to hold Putin to account for the crimes of the invasion and the suspicious deaths of Alexei Navalny, Maxim Kuzminov and others who dare to speak out against him.

For an excellent blog and other briefings on public issues follow the Joint Public Issues Team. https://www.facebook.com/jointpublicissues
https://jpit.uk/ukraine-two-tragic-years