Loving God, We pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, particularly mothers and their children, that you will be close to them and protect them.   We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices. 

We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our sisters and brothers in need. May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world.

Heavenly Father, we pray for your world. We pray for all who are being driven from their homes through war, and through the callousness and greed of others. May they find safety, fair treatment, shelter and comfort, and be surrounded by those who can offer them the care and guidance as they seek to find new beginnings and to reawaken hope.

God of all, when your people were driven from their homes you showed them that they can not be driven away from you and you taught them that you will be with them wherever they will be. Be with all those who make dangerous journeys of flight this day, bring them to safety, sustain them them with courage and open the hearts of those they meet, that they will be greeted with generosity and guided into a new life of hope.  As Jesus says in St Mathew’s gospel: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” 

We pray for our bishops Sarah and Joanne and we pray for our parish. Lord God give your strength and guidance too our vicar Father Tom and Tracy our curate and all those who work for our church. Help us to create a church community that welcomes visitors and strangers, and provides a refuge for those who feel threatened or alone; a refuge from life’s troubled waters.

Lord of all, inspired by your word and your love, your apostles preached the good news to all the peoples of the Earth. Strengthen us to be apostles in our own lives, that through the goodness of our actions many would come to know something of the joy of life with you.

Lord, we pray for your church, that through this Lent we would be led to deeper truths about you and about ourselves.

Creator of all, you brought this world into being from nothing and sent your son into it to redeem it at the cost of his life. May we, who in this holy season commemorate his sufferings for us, be brought to understand something of the depth of your love, from which not one of us can be separated, 

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God, healer of the sick and strength of the weak, look with mercy on all who suffer at this time, in particular all those whose condition is a result of war. Bring healing to those who are ill and damaged, bring peace to those who are anxious, bring strength to those who care for them. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

God of hope and giver of all comfort, we commend to your keeping all  those who morn the loss of loved ones and especially those thousands who are victims of war. Give them the peace that passes all understanding and make them know that neither death nor life can separate them from your love.

We have going through some very dark times. First the pandemic and now war with all its brutal consequences. I want to finish with a prayer that we are more familiar with as an evening prayer.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

From Charles Wesley’s hymn

Christ, who glory fills the skies,

                        Christ, the true, the only Light; 

                        Sun of Righteousness, arise

                        Triumph o’er the shades of night:

                        Dayspring from on high, be near,

                        Daystar, in our hearts appear.