Praying for Ukraine
Anglicans and other faith groups are called to
prayer for Peace in Ukraine on Friday 25 March 2022.
Anglican churches in our Diocese have been asked to consider opening their church doors between 7am and 7pm for people to enter to pray for Peace in Ukraine
They have also been asked to consider making one specific hour of prayer during the course of those twelve hours.
The Transitional Cathedral will be open from 3-4pm to pray and all are invited to join Bishop Peter and the Dean for prayer during that hour.
A song “Be still and know” for Ukraine on YouTube can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch
A Hymn for Ukraine, written by Helen Pugh, in our Diocese, can be found here: Hymn for Ukraine .
Below are a range of prayers and resources to assist with your prayers.
NZPB resources
Peace for the Nations NZPB p. 90 Peace for the Nations
| 1 | In days to come the mountain of the ′ Lord′s ′ house: will be established as the ′ highest ′ of the ′ mountains. |
| 2 | It will be raised a′bove the ′ hills: and ′ all the ′ nations · will ′ flock to it. |
| 3 | Many peoples will come and ′ they will ′ say: ‘Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the′ house · of the ′ God of ′ Jacob, |
| 4 | ‘that we may be taught the ′ ways · of the ′ Lord: and may ′ walk · in the ′ right ′ paths.’ |
| 5 | From the mountain of the Lord shall go ′ forth the ′ law: and the word of the ′ Lord ′ from Je′rusalem. |
| 6 | The Lord will judge be′tween the ′ nations: and settle disputes for ′ many ′ peoples. |
| 7 | They shall beat their ′ swords · into ′ ploughshares: and their ′ spears ′ into ′ pruning hooks. |
| 8 | Nation shall not lift up ′ sword a·gainst ′ nation: nor ever a′gain pre′pare for′ war. |
| 9† | Come O ′ house of ′ Jacob: let us walk in the ′ light ′ of the ′ Lord. Isaiah 2:2–5 Glory to the Father and ′ to the ′ Son: |
This prayer (Adapted from NZPB p. 76)
O God,
The author of peace and lover of concord;
To know you is eternal life,
To serve you is perfect freedom.
Defend the people of Ukraine in every stress and danger,
That they may trust in your defence
And not fear the power of any adversaries;
Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Catholic Resources
- Resources prepared / collated and shared by O te Hāhi Katorika ki Aotearoa, the National Liturgy Office of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Catholics in Aotearoa New Zealand are being asked to visit their churches on Friday 25 March to join with Pope Francis in a special day of prayer for Ukraine, during which Pope Francis will consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in St Peter’s Basilica.
Other Resources
- A Power Point slide supplied by TEAR Fund
- A Prayer for Ukraine (sourced from the Ukrainian community in Wellington)
Holy and Gracious God
We pray for the people of the Ukraine, for their country and their leader.
We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear.
We pray for all those who have the power over life for all people life, and life in all its fullness. and death; that they will choose.
We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace.
We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ.
Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace in Ukraine. And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son. Lord have mercy. Amen.