Our mission and ministry as a church is 5 miles and beyond. Right now, Ukraine looks so 'and beyond' us. So, we pray and give:
Let's give
To make a gift to support BMS World Mission' Ukraine appeal, click HERE.
Let's pray
Our Father in heaven, blessed be your name,
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth in Ukraine as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen
Pray on your own, in your small groups, as you watch the news...
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Pray for a ceasefire and an end to the killing.
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Pray for those under attack in cities/ towns/ villages - safety, security, shelter, medications, food/water...
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Pray for the Baptist churches (as many as in the UK), as they rapidly adjust to mission & ministry 'under fire'. Some amazing stories of courage and compassion.
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Pray for the millions of people escaping to safety in Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and on to Germany, France AND THE UK. Unimaginable fears, grief, trauma...
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Pray for Ukrainian communities here in the UK.
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Pray for an end to the racism people of colour have endured, as seen at transportation hubs, border crossings. Pray as Ukraine looks to the EU, it will also embrace racial justice.
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Pray for the people of Russia - both in Russia and around the world, including here in the UK.
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Pray, above all, for Shalom - peace.
To Donate to BMS Ukraine Appeal click here
Listen to and worship with Christians from Ukraine here.
Watch how the Baptist Union of Ukraine is responding:
See how other members of the Baptist family are responding and praying:
Read this update from the European Baptist Federation here.
Calling out racism
A disturbing feature of recent days has also been the "oppression within the oppression" - the racist treatment of black and brown people by segments within Ukraine society. It's a shocking reminder that racism is vile and de-humanising, whether in Ukraine or the UK. Read a statement from the Racial Justice Advocacy Forum here.
Father God, King of all nations, we cry out to you now for the people of Ukraine. We ask you to rescue those who are vulnerable from the hands of their enemies that they may live without fear before you all their days [Luke 1:74-75].
Kyrie eleison – Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Lord of lords and Prince of peace, our politicians are predicting the biggest war in Europe since 1945, and we simply cry out to you urgently to write another story in our time. Thwart the dark machinations of evil men. Give wisdom beyond human wisdom to peacemakers seeking an equitable and less violent way. May politicians exercise the wisdom from above, which is peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy [James 3:17].
Kyrie eleison – Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Holy Spirit, we pray for the church in Ukraine, a nation in which 70% of the population call themselves Christian. Give our many brothers and sisters in that nation courage in this crisis that they may proclaim the good news of your kingdom, bind up broken hearts, and bring comfort to all who mourn. [Isaiah 61:1-2].
Kyrie eleison – Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
You Lord, make wars cease to the end of the earth; you break bows, shatter spears, and burn shields with fire [Psalm 46:9]. And so we ask you now to save the lives of many people in Ukraine. Make a peace that is strong and not weak. De-escalate this crisis. We hear of wars and rumours of wars (Matt. 24:6], but you Lord are our rock, our fortress and our deliverer. Our hope is in you. And so we address the nations now. In the name of Jesus we say: “Be still and know God! He is exalted among the nations; he shall be exalted in the earth [Psalm 46:10].
Kyrie eleison – Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Amen
To Donate to BMS Ukraine Appeal
click here