Psalm 120:7 “I am for peace, but when I speak they are for war” From a French publication of paintings by Benejou Rabinowicz based on the Psalms entitled Benn

PRAYER: Hear Our Cry
Holy One, we recognize the deep pain of our world, in Ukraine and so many other places.⁠ We join those who mourn the tremendous loss of life and home, those who mourn the loss of freedom. ⁠
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ALL: Holy One, we trust you weep with us. ⁠Your healing, saving work continues. ⁠
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Hear our cry for those running to a new home in a new place. Bless and provide for all who are welcoming the refugees, especially the children separated from their parents. ⁠
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ALL: Holy One, we trust you welcome them. ⁠Your healing, saving work continues. ⁠
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Hear our cry for those resisting the destruction and violence of the invasion, for those in Russia and Ukraine pushing back against evil, revealing truth from falsehood, for those trained to lay down their lives for love and justice and for civilians taking up arms to defend their beloved land.
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ALL: Holy One, we trust you never abandon. Your healing, saving work continues. ⁠
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Hear our cry for your work of peace to be fulfilled.⁠
No more war⁠
No more tears⁠

No more separation⁠
⁠No more tyrants

No more devastation⁠
No more death⁠
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Jesus, save your beloved from overwhelm⁠ and occupation
Strengthen faith, hope, and compassion
We trust the triumph of your goodness and grace.⁠
For you are the Resurrection and the Life. ⁠
Amen. ⁠

PRAYER: Choices
Holy One,
Your word provides examples
Examples to follow and examples to avoid

You do not sugarcoat life
You reveal the destructive consequences
of vain, self-serving lives
You reveal the vicious injustice
of fear-full, pride-full, impulsive choices

We see this right now in Ukraine
and far too many other places in our world

We call on your mercy and healing
for faith-full living
Grant us and all people
compassionate, courageous, teachable spirits,
so we may choose your way and life
no matter the cost

In Jesus’ name we trust and pray
Amen

PRAYER: Calm Our Hearts
God our Refuge, calm our hearts when evil abounds
They run to lonesome places, screaming an alarm
Calm our hearts so we can find you above the fear

God our Strength, calm our hearts when evil abounds
They race to revenge, pounding with anger
Calm our hearts so we can hear you above the hammering

God our Help, calm our hearts when evil abounds
They rush to human strength, grasping for control
Calm our hearts so we can hold
to your way, your truth, and your life

Calm hearts in Russia and Ukraine
soften and open hearts
encourage and strengthen hearts
turn hearts to goodness and life

Calm hearts
So they may beat in unison with yours
So healing may flow into all brokenness
So hope may fill all devastation
So compassion and peace and unity may rise up among all people

God our Strength, our Refuge, our Help
We entrust our lives to you
We step forward with you in your saving work
Amen

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Three Prayers for Ukraine © 2022 You are welcome to use the original portions of this work in a worship setting with proper attribution. (by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, http://www.revlisad.com) Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.