Bishop John calls on all in the Diocese of Worcester to pray for the people of Ukraine and for peace, and for the leaders of the West as they deliberate on how to respond to the terrible unprovoked aggression of Russia. He has invited people to use the prayer by the Dean of Worcester, Peter Atkinson, for public worship and private intercession.
Bishop John says:
“This is a tragic day: Europe is at war again. The unprovoked attack on a free democratic country by Russia is an abhorrence which threatens all of us in the free world. I ask you to pray most earnestly for an end to this aggression and for peace.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York in their joint statement this morning have said: “The horrific and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an act of great evil. Placing our trust in Jesus Christ, the author of peace, we pray for an urgent ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian forces. We call for a public decision to choose the way of peace and an international conference to secure long term agreements for stability and lasting peace.”
"The Archbishops have since written to the churches and I commend their letter."
The Bishop in Europe, The Rt Revd Robert Innes, is co-ordinating an hour of prayer at 6.00pm on Shrove Tuesday which may be joined on YouTube. Details will be circulated when we have them. In addition, the Archbishops have requested prayers in parish churches on Sunday and commended Pope Francis’s call for a day of fasting and prayer on Ash Wednesday.
A prayer for the people of Ukraine
Lord of all the earth,
be present with the people of Ukraine
at this time of danger, fear, and conflict.
Grant that wise and peaceable counsels may yet prevail,
and give to all suffering nations the freedom they desire and deserve.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Visit the Ukrainian Institute in London for ideas of how to support Ukraine and Ukrainians.
