Mid-week Message

Greetings,

“Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” - Psalm 46:8-11

February 24th marked the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Psalm 46 reminds us that God brings wars to an end. This is our prayer for Ukraine: that God would bring this war to an end. It is also our prayer for every war-torn place on this earth. For an update on PWS&D’s relief work to date, click here: https://presbyterian.ca/2023/02/23/ukraine-one-year-later/.

I leave you with this prayer we prayed together one year ago when the war started. May this war, and all wars, cease throughout the earth.

God of the Powers, and Maker of all creation;

God of justice, and Lover and Maker of peace,

we are distressed by the violence and the threats of violence and destruction in the world,

and especially by acts of war and brutality that people experience in Ukraine.

In solidarity with them, we pray for those who are suffering and in danger,

who live in fear and anxiety, who fear what tomorrow will bring,

who are anxious for their lives and the lives of those they love and care for,

and who mourn the dead.

We pray that those with power over war will lay down weapons,

and that those who have power to accomplish peace will have wisdom and compassion.

God of Grace, the Giver of Life, send your Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,

who is everywhere present and fills all things,

to sustain the hope of all those who seek justice and peace

and to inspire the leaders of nations to do what is right.

Glory to you, O God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit, now and forever;

in the strong name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we pray.

Amen.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Sarina