I have been enormously encouraged by the number of church members who are actively seeking ways to respond to the crisis in Ukraine. In the face of such a crisis, it can be hard to know how best to help, and you may be looking for ideas and suggestions for how to help practically as well as through our prayers.
The Church of England has published a toolkit of resources for churches seeking to help refugees and evacuees from Ukraine. The toolkit (which can be downloaded in full here) highlights ways to provide immediate practical help, such as:
- donating money to charities working on the ground in and near Ukraine (follow this link for an example)
- sponsoring refugees through the Sanctuary Foundation
- registering with the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme
- for people with relevant language skills to support refugees by translating and understanding forms and procedures (follow this link to Translators Without Borders)
Finally we are encouraged to pray for the peace of the world and for Ukraine in particular. You might like to use these prayers as a starting point:
For the peace of the world
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Ukraine
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom,
discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Other prayer resources can be found on this page of the Church of England website.