A call to prayer for Ukraine

“Let them turn away from evil and do good;
let them seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:11).

General secretary David Steele invites the members, congregations, and districts of the Church of the Brethren into prayer for the crisis in Ukraine.

According to media reports today, President Biden has announced that the United States considers Russia to have started to invade Ukraine. Russia declared two rebel-held parts of Ukraine as independent, and has sent into those areas some of the troops that it has been massing along the border. The President announced a first wave of financial sanctions that the US will carry out against Russia in response.

The Church of the Brethren raises up prayers for peace in concert with other Christians around the world, continuing to support the calls for peace in Ukraine from the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Called as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace; inspired by scripture; remembering the steadfast commitment to peacemaking expressed by our Annual Conference; and with deep concern and compassion for the people of Ukraine and Russia—civilians and soldiers alike—we pray:

—That a diplomatic solution to this crisis will be found.

—That Russia will remove its troops from the rebel-held areas of Ukraine and from its borders.

—That Russia, the United States, NATO, and other European and world powers will not resort to warfare.

—That every possible means are attempted to prevent escalation.

—That the devastating threat of nuclear retaliation will be avoided at all costs.

Joining with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, a partner communion in the NCC, we pray:

“May God hear our loving petition and soften the hearts and minds of all, within and without Ukraine, during these dangerous times.”


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