UKRAINE – The International Lutheran Council (ILC) is urging prayer, following the beginning of what some are suggesting may be the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Media reports indicate that Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from three sides, using ground, air, and naval forces. There have been airstrikes and shelling in numerous areas.
“We ask our members to pray for peace,” said ILC Chairman Hans-Jörg Voigt. “May God bring an end to the hostilities and prevent further bloodshed.”
Congregations are encouraged to use the following intercessory prayer for peace:
Intercessory prayer for peace
Liturgist: In peace let us pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Lector: For peace in Eastern Europe /that the Lord may bring an end to the war and restore peace and freedom to the people of Ukraine / let us pray:
Congregation: Lord have mercy.
Lector: For the children and young people / that the Lord may preserve them in body and soul from suffering and injury /let us pray:
Congregation: Lord have mercy.
Lector: For the brothers and sisters in the churches of Ukraine and Russia / that God may keep their hearts from hating one another / that He may show them ways to serve peace, proclaim the Word of God, and celebrate the sacraments / let us pray:
Congregation: Lord have mercy.
Lector: For all who have political responsibility / that the Lord may direct their hearts to peace / that He may help them to serve truth and justice / that He may guard the hearts and minds of people from error and falsehood / let us pray:
Congregation: Lord have mercy.
Lector: For peace and harmony in our country / that the Lord may prevent the polarization of society into opposing interest groups / that He may give and keep peace in workplaces, universities, and schools / that He may give new strength to teachers and keep their love / let us pray:
Congregation Lord have mercy.
Lector: For peace in our homes and families / that the Lord may help spouses who have a hard time with each other / that He may give good understanding between generations / so that children may grow up in peace, and for unborn children / let us pray:
Congregation: Lord have mercy.
Lector: For an end to the worldwide pandemic / that the Lord may preserve people from sickness / that He may give new strength to nurses and doctors / for all who are sick, and whose names we mention here in silence… / let us pray:
Congregation: Lord have mercy.
Lector: For our church and congregation / that the Lord may keep us in His truth / that He may raise up young people willing to enter His service / for Lutheran Seminaries worldwide / that the Lord may establish teachers and learners in His Word / let us pray:
Congregation: Lord have mercy.
Liturgist: Merciful God, keep us in Your peace, and grant peace to all people for whom we have prayed, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
All: Amen.
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