The people of Ukraine are on our minds today. It’s difficult to grasp what they must be going through, what they must be feeling. It’s easy to feel helpless from across the globe, but we can all help by praying. Pope Francis said, “I invite everyone to make March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace. I encourage believers in a special way to devote themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace protect the world from the folly of war.” Please remember everyone in this war-torn region on Ash Wednesday and each day as you pray.
A Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
Heavenly Father, Your Son taught us
“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called Children of God”.
At this hour, we fervently pray that Your Holy Spirit may inspire men and women in Ukraine to become Peacemakers.
May they seek reconciliation and dialogue and end the violent confrontation and killing. May they restore tranquility to their nation and restore human rights, democratic principles and religious liberty to their troubled land.
God, our Father, we beseech you to comfort the suffering, heal the wounded and accept the souls of the departed into Your Heavenly Kingdom. And may the Most Holy Mother of God, extend her Blessed Mantle of Protection over Ukraine.
And may each of us always live our lives as instruments of Your Peace.
Amen.
A Christian Prayer for Peace in Our Time
O God, author and giver of peace,
in whose image and likeness each of us has been created
with a human dignity worthy of respect on earth
and destined for eternal glory,
Listen to the cry that rises from every corner of this fragile earth,
from our human family torn by violent conflict:
Give peace in our time, O good and gracious God,
that peace which, as your son Jesus Christ told us
and as we have experienced in these days,
is a peace which the world cannot give.
To world leaders grant the wisdom
to see beyond the boundaries of race, religion, and nation
to that common humanity that makes us all your children
and brothers and sisters to one another.
To those who have taken up arms in anger or revenge
or even in the cause of justice
grant the grace of conversion to the path of peaceful dialogue
and constructive collaboration.
To the innocent who live in the shadow of war and terror,
especially the frightened children,
be a shelter and strength, their haven and hope.
And to those who have already lost their lives
as victims of human cruelty and chemical warfare,
open wide your arms and enfold them all
in the embrace of your compassion, healing, and everlasting life.
Grant this through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord.
Mary, Mother of all and Queen of peace, pray for us.
– Peter J. Scagnelli