We ask you to join us in praying for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia. If you do not pray, then please join us in sending thoughts for peace, reconciliation and healing.
Lover of us all,
Our hearts are so heavy and breaking with the news that Russia has invaded Ukraine.
We come to you as your children praying for our brothers and sisters, holding them with love in our hearts.
We pray for the people of Ukraine whose nightmare has come true.
May their desire to live independently, as a self-governing people in peace be their guide.
May their resolve to face this threat be strengthened.
May those who suffer injury, loss of life, loved ones, livelihood and property be comforted and healed.
May their leaders be guided by wisdom, without animosity and the desire for what is good for all.
We pray for the people of Russia whose nightmare has come true.
May their desire to live in peace be their guide.
May they stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people who, like them, yearn only to live their lives as best they can.
May those who suffer injury, loss of life and loved ones be comforted and healed.
May the hearts and minds of their leaders be transformed from hostility to peace, from conquest to familiarity and guided by a desire for what is good for all.
We pray for world leaders and ourselves.
May the desire to live our lives in peace be our guide.
May we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, providing support however we can.
May we hold the people of Russia in our hearts “with malice towards none and charity for all.”
May the leaders of the world be guided by wisdom, without animosity and a deep desire for the good of all.
May we face the future willing to sacrifice what we have so that others may have what they need.
We pray in the Spirit that calls each of us to love one another as we have been loved.
Amen.
—By Ginny Schaeffer, director of Angela Merici Center for Spirituality
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