Prayer
on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the Russian government’s war of aggression against the people of Ukraine.
24 February 2023
War causes endless suffering.
Locally, where people experience gun violence, rape, death and displacement; regionally, where the use of mines, heavy equipment and attacks on heavy industry contaminates the habitats of future generations; and globally, where inflation and rising food prices add to the hardship of those affected by other conflicts, wars and climate change.
In memory of all those directly and indirectly affected by this war, which is contrary to international law
we pray:
“Deliver us from evil”
“Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die?” (Ezekiel 33:11)
“Deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)
God of just peace,
we flee to you with our worries, our fears and our helplessness in the face of the destruction, the displacement, the rapes, the killings in Ukraine.
“Deliver us from evil.”
God of just peace,
we pray for all the people of Ukraine and Russia, including those who are fleeing the war.
Let them not despair – and let us help where we can.
“Deliver us from evil.”
God of just peace,
we pray for all Christian communities in Ukraine and Russia.
Make them messengers and instruments of Your peace, not of war!
Let their light and witness shine in the darkness.
“Deliver us from evil.”
God of just peace,
we pray for all those who, in the midst of war courageously witness and walk the path of nonviolence.
Strengthen them and protect them – and let us help where we can.
“Deliver us from evil.”
God of just peace,
we pray for all those who refuse to go to war.
Let them find refuge – and let us help where we can.
“Deliver us from evil.”
God of just peace,
we pray for all those who now feel they must fight with arms – willingly, tempted, forced or even unknowingly.
Be near to them in their fears and in their dying or their return, wounded in body and soul.
“Deliver us from evil.”
God of just peace,
we pray for those in power in Ukraine and Russia.
Let them seek and find nonviolent ways to silence the guns. – and let us help where we can.
“Deliver us from evil.”
God of just peace, we pray for those who govern here and in all countries.
Let them seek and find nonviolent ways to silence the guns – and let us help where we can.
“Deliver us from evil.”
God of just peace,
we pray for ourselves.
Let us not go astray by becoming part of a logic of hate and violence,
“Let us not fall into temptation”,
but “Deliver us from evil.”
We ask in the name of Jesus, whom we follow in the way of just peace.
Amen.
—Submitted by The Board of the Association of Mennonite Congregations in Germany on the eve of the 2023 anniversary of the outbreak of war.
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