Inter-religious Prayer Vigil for Ukraine
God of peace and justice, Light of our minds and hearts.
We pray for the end to the madness of war
waged everywhere around the world, especially in Ukraine.
Your innocent people are plunged into their darkest hours.
Many seek shelter, while others are wounded or have died,
from the explosions of bombs and missiles.
Once again, a people are denied the right of self-determination, a culture, and a history.
Once again, we pray for an end to senseless violence
and appeal to the higher nature of human potential
to live together and to do good.
The root of war is fear.
God of Peace, this war does not have to be and that is its madness.
And madness sinks deeper into chaos yet unknown.
One miscalculation, one mistake, unleashes the unimaginable.
God forbid!
We fall to our knees and pray that all political leaders
come to their senses and return to the altar tables of diplomacy.
Change the restlessness of minds and hearts into the energy of courage
to dialogue, to listen, and to resolve conflicts together.
Give us the insight to make right choices and decisions.
On the paten of the world, we lift our tears and traumas, our hopes and desires,
for a new humanity rooted in relationships, respect, and the rule of law.
We pray for this and for future generations everywhere
to be protected from the “scourge of war.”
Today, some people of faith begin the holy season of Lent
with ashes on the forehead.
It is a time for reflection on who we are and what we want to become.
Today, all of humanity, as one body, asks, “Who are we?”
Ashes remind us there was once a fire.
Not the fire of bullets and bombs,
but the fire of love,
the living flame of compassion and care.
Now the flame is reduced to smoldering embers.
Stir up these embers, Oh Spirit, that faintly glow in hearts and minds with your divine Breath.
Be the light that moves nations to care for refugees and immigrants everywhere
and to talk to one another for the good and safety of all.
It is not the myth of the survival of the fittest,
but the desire for bonds of friendship
that will enable us to endure and seek peace.
Loving God, protect your people in Ukraine and all those weighed down by the confusion of war and conflict, no matter where they are from.
Lead your people out of this fog with your Light,
From despair to hope,
As we recommit ourselves to building a community of nations.
This is sanity.
This we ask of the God of mercy, Protector of all the oppressed.
Amen,
R. Dueweke
March 2, 2022
