Bishop offers prayer for peace in Ukraine

February 25, 2022

Beloved in Christ:
 
I greet you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during these troubled times of war in Ukraine.

May I offer this prayer:
 

Gracious and loving God, we come before you with our hearts rent apart by senseless war between Russia and Ukraine. We cry out to you to bring a cessation of hostilities. We remember the words of the psalmist, 
 
“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind. The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence” (Psalm 11:4-5, NRSV).

We join a worldwide chorus of Christians who deplore the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We pray urgently for diplomacy and peace. We pray especially for those fleeing for their lives as refugees to other countries. May your grace and peace be with the children and all those whose lives are being uprooted. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.


Please pray for our fellow United Methodists in the region, particularly Bishops Eduard Khegay (of both Russia and Ukraine), Patrick Streiff, Christian Alsted, and all church leaders and pastors in Russia, Ukraine, and neighboring nations as they lead their parishioners in these difficult moments and days. 
 
May you consider giving generously to UMCOR, which has already sent $60,000 to install bomb film in windows of one hospital and 16 schools in Ukraine. More help will be needed for refugees and others affected by war.
 
In Christ’s love,

 
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar