WCC encourages global fellowship to pray for peace in Ukraine
In a series of global prayers for peace, the World Council of Churches (WCC) invites people and churches around the world to join in the Global Prayer for Peace in Ukraine on 11 June at 13.00 Central European Time [7 am Eastern Daylight Time in the US].
The WCC series of global prayers for peace, which began with a prayer for the Middle East, is intended to bring the worldwide ecumenical community into a shared rhythm of solidarity, intercession, and hope.
Rooted in faith and grounded in the conviction that prayer is both witness and action, the initiative reflects the vocation of the churches to accompany those who suffer and to uphold the dignity of all people.
The Global Prayer for Peace in Ukraine is prepared and organized in cooperation with the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which represents more than 90% of all religious organizations and communities in Ukraine.
A special resource brochure for the Global Prayer for Peace in Ukraine has been developed by the WCC to accompany the event. It offers prayers from Ukraine, in English and Ukrainian, to guide in shared moments of intercession and hope.
[After the prayer service was held, the WCC published the following article about it:]
In welcoming remarks, Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián, bishop of the Trans-Carpathian Reformed Church and chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, expressed appreciation from a land where the pain of war has become a daily reality.
“I hope this prayer strengthens each of us in our understanding that in Christ we are one, and that light always triumphs over darkness,” he said. “May God bless you and grant peace to Ukraine and the whole world!”
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, noted that, as scripture tells us with Apostle Paul, if one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it.
“We are saddened by what we see and the fact that it continues, and never comes to an end with the loss of so many lives,” said Pillay. “Though separated by distance, we are united in spirit.”
Prayers of lamentation, hope, and peace were drawn from many faith traditions in Ukraine and from across the world. Those gathered uttered the Lord’s Prayer together in their many languages, and joined in singing live with a local congregation in Ukraine.
Pastor Heider János from the Transcarpathian Reformed Church offered a reflection entitled “Source to Sustain our Lives.”
He described how, every day in Ukraine, people easily lose their equilibrium. “Where can we get our strength not just to survive but to stay human, stay with love and peace, and be able to support our neighbor?” he asked.
He drew an analogy to the North American forests of Giant Sequoias. “One would think that those giants have roots reaching miles down,” he said. “But researchers discovered that wasn’t the case at all.”
The secret of the strength of the great trees its that every sequoia holds the roots of its neighbor. “They share the nutrition coming from the soil,” he said. “They survive because they are in fact united into one entity in the invisible depth.”
Thus, in a oneness with Christ, those gathered for the prayer also are able to support their brother and sisters, said János. “Let us stick together in faith and love and hope,” he said.
The Global Prayer for Peace in Ukraine was prepared and organized in cooperation with the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which represents more than 90% of all religious organizations and communities in Ukraine. The recording will be available soon on the WCC YouTube channel.