Prayers for Ukraine

Much of what is gathered for Ukraine concerns war: the unrest and occupation that came first, the wider invasion that followed, and the families displaced into Poland and other countries. Elections, freedom of speech and the grain harvest also appear, along with prayers for medical workers and for ceasefires that have not yet held.

Teach Us Patience: A Prayer for Clean Water, the West African Ebola Outbreak, and Talks on Ukraine (April 10, 2014)

Loving God, by your grace teach us patience – and renewed hope when we face such disappointments as: the failure to date to address human rights abuses in Syria; the failure of any sub-Saharan African country to meet Millennial Development Goals of cutting in half the number of people not having access to clean water […]

In the Presence of Holy Mystery: Prayers for Chile’s Earthquake and Guinea’s Ebola (April 3, 2014)

In the presence of our Creator, we seek renewal, wisdom, and inspiration. In the presence of our Beloved, we bring our true selves, our desires, and our fears. In the presence of the Holy Mystery, let us gather our hearts in prayer. O Beautiful Presence, open our eyes to all that surrounds us so that […]

Families Who Grieve Without Bodies to Bury: A Lenten Prayer for Oso and Flight MH370 (March 27, 2014)

As we stand with Jesus in the wilderness during this Lenten period, we pray for the whole world. For those fighting cancer: may they have support and access to quality medical care. For parents: may they be confident in their childcare and schools. For pregnant women and for those who are trying to build families: […]

Come Down, Come In, Come Among Us: A Prayer for the Marginalized and Flight MH370 (March 20, 2014)

Thursday, March 20th 2014 “If God is your co-pilot, swap seats!” (cartoon) “Purity does not come in separation from but in deeper penetration into the Universe … Bathe yourself in the ocean of matter; plunge into it where it is deepest and most violent; struggle in its currents and drink its water. For […]

Our Coming In and Our Going Out: A Prayer for Flight MH370, Cyclone Lusi, and Japan Three Years On (March 13, 2014)

Lord, our creator who neither slumbers nor sleeps; Lord, our protector, guide and help, be in our coming in prayer and our going out to the world in compassion. This week is the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web, giving us such a great ability to know more about our world and to share with […]

With Ashes on Our Foreheads: A Lenten Prayer for Freedom, Hunger, and Human Rights (March 6, 2014)

Morning Psalm I open my heart, Loving God… I place myself in your hands… I breathe in the beauty of the rising sun… I savor the gift of another day of life. Wherever this day leads, let me rest in the assurance of your presence with me, in me, around and under me. Let me […]

We Pray the Promise: An Ash Wednesday Prayer for Ukraine, South Sudan, and Syria (February 20, 2014)

First, a story. The first time I came to an Ash Wednesday service – in a time when churches were still very clear as to what the not-yet-baptized could participate in – I hadn’t thought to ask beforehand if I could receive the ashes. So I rather uneasily followed the line forward, and the Rector paused, hesitated, when […]

Humility and Perseverance: A Prayer for Negotiations, Climate Change, and an End to Executions (January 30, 2014)

God, on whom we rely, hear this prayer for humility and perseverance. You know that we are ever tempted to reject the better for the perfect. Help us embrace the possibilities unfolding in negotiations between the United States and Syria, in disputes in Ukraine, wherever progress, even modest progress, is being made. Free of implementation […]

Jesus Calls Us Still: Prayers for Migrants Lost off Greece, the Geneva Talks on Syria, and Kiev (January 23, 2014)

Just as Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow him long ago, Jesus calls us today to follow him. One of the ways we follow is through prayer. Let us join our hearts together and pray. Holy God, help us we pray, to hear your call to us. Make us ready to change the […]

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: An Advent Prayer to Set the Captives Free (December 19, 2013)

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. We are still waiting for you. We are waiting for the Prince of Peace. We are waiting for the Wisdom from on high. We are waiting for the King of all nations. O come and set the captives free. Free those who are captive to violence. The people of Syria, […]