Nurture

Prayers for peace

stjohnstmarkchurchburyMonday, June 24, 2019

A small group from St John with St Mark joined the very well attended Prayers for Peace in Ukraine service on June 23rd, 2019. It was held in the Ukrainian Church in Manchester and led by their Priest, Father Volodymyr Sampara.

Dr Linda Stalley from Maranatha gave the introduction. She told of the tens of thousands who have died in the conflict with many more displaced from their homes.

The situation in Ukraine is a sombre one. But this was a wonderful service with representatives from different Christian traditions and nationalities. The hymns were in English and Ukrainian as we worshipped together surrounded by Eastern Orthodox paintings and icons.

We had prayers in Russian, French, Igbo and Chichewa as well as in English. It was a timely and moving reminder of our unity in Christ which crosses all boundaries and borders.

A prayer from the service: Lord Jesus, when we find it so easy to remember the faults of others and so difficult to understand our own, give us the will to build understanding between people and so dismantle the walls of hostility, in pursuit of your gift to the world of peace.

[For regular updates on the Ukrainian Church, please follow this link to get to their facebook page]