Churches across the UK have been combining prayer for Ukraine with practical help for refugees and others suffering because of the Russian invasion. We of course also pray for innocents stuck in Russia, in a war they didn’t want, as well as the surrounding countries looking at what is going in the Ukraine, in fear of being next.

Here’s some of what Bishop Robert had to say about prayers across Europe for peace in Ukraine on Tuesday 1st March:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The situation in Ukraine is very deeply troubling. President Putin is leading a completely unjustified and aggressive war against Ukraine, a war which many ordinary Russians deeply deplore. Leaders from many Christian churches, including the Ukrainian Orthodox (Russian Patriarchate) Church have condemned the invasion of Ukraine. Our hearts cry out for justice and peace. We are most especially concerned for the wellbeing of those in Ukraine who are directly affected by the war. This includes particularly the members of our own congregation of Christ Church, Kyiv. The Churchwarden there, Christina, messaged us this morning saying: ‘Please pray for us as we are standing here for our land and for our roots.  The battle for Kyiv has begun; it is fierce and intensive. Pray for us.’

He went on to invite churches to join in a prayer gathering online last week and shared the below video:

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How Can We Help?

As well as prayer, people are looking for practical ways to help, please see below how we can help beyond our prayers:

Online giving

Christ Church Kyiv has funds in London looked after by our Diocese. The chaplaincy will be hugely grateful for donations made via the Diocese.  They will work with the Diocese so these can support the Mission and Ministry of the Chaplaincy and its community.

You can give here https://www.justgiving.com/diocese-ineurope and please mark your donation ‘Kyiv’ in the comments. Gift Aid can be applied via Just Giving. There is also the Ukraine Emergency Appeal for donations as well.

Bank Transfer

Bank transfers may be made to the following account:

Barclays Bank plc

 Account name: Diocese in Europe Fund

 Account number: 40317039

Sort code: 20-06-13

Please reference ‘Kyiv’ with your gift.

Other practical help

For humanitarian assistance and particularly work with refugees, a number of agencies have launched appeals:

You can find details of both the Red Cross appeal and the UNHCR appeal on their websites.

For more resources and charities you can support, as well as how you can write to your MP to do more to help Ukraine, please check out the Evangelical Alliance page here.

O God, who would fold both heaven and earth in a single peace:

let the design of thy great love

lighten upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows:

and give peace to thy Church,

peace among nations,

peace in our dwellings,

and peace in our hearts:

through thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Prayer for peace and safety amid unrest