Prayer for Ukraine

God the Great One! (A Prayer for Ukraine)

The Church of England has made available a range of resources for churches and individuals praying for peace in Ukraine. More links from a variety of denominations can be found at the bottom of this page.

The video above is the “national spiritual anthem” of Ukraine, МОЛИТВА ЗА УКРАЇНУ, a hymn that is familiar to most Ukrainians. This version has a video with views of many different parts of the nation. The English lyrics are as follows:

Lord, oh the Great and Almighty,
Protect our beloved Ukraine,
Bless her with freedom and light
Of your holy rays.

With learning and knowledge enlighten
Us, your children small,
In love pure and everlasting
Let us, oh Lord, grow.

We pray, oh Lord Almighty,
Protect our beloved Ukraine,
Grant our people and country
All your kindness and grace.

Bless us with freedom, bless us with wisdom,
Guide into kind world,
Bless us, oh Lord, with good fortune
For ever and evermore.

[with thanks to Christianity Today for the translation]

Read more about the Church of England’s call for a national day of prayer on 27 February.
You can also read a pastoral letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York here.

Resources are available from many other denominations, churches and Christian organisations:

  • The Scottish Episcopal Church has prayer resources online here.
  • The Church in Wales has offered a prayer here (in English) ac yma (yn Gymraeg).
  • Pope Francis has called for a day of prayer on 2 March: read more here.
  • The Methodist Church has offered a prayer for Ukraine: find it here.
  • The Baptist Churches, through BMS World Mission, has produced a range of resource: find them here.
  • The United Reformed Church has offered a prayer and some resources here.
  • The Church of Scotland has prayer resources here.
  • The Vineyard churches held a day of prayer on 25 February: read more here.
  • 24-7 Prayer have a Prayer for the Crisis in Ukraine: find it here.

BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Worship for 27 February was focused on praying for Ukraine: you can listen to it here.

And there’s a thoughtful article about praying for Ukraine by Brother Alois at Taizé; you can find it here.

If you know of other prayer resources please email the Deputy Warden, Chris Webb, on cw@launde.org.uk – we’ll add them as soon as possible.