LCC Urges Prayer for Ukraine

UKRAINE – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) is urging prayer for Ukraine given recent tensions in the region.

“Military tension is high here—almost sensed in the air—like never before,” noted Rev. Oleksiy Navrotskyy, Missionary-at-Large for LCC and the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU). “Many of us are psychologically exhausted because of all the television and internet news coverage.”

Complicating matters are the fact that Ukraine is on the cusp of another wave of COVID-19, Rev. Navrotskyy notes, and also facing a massive rise in the cost of living. “Right after Christmas, the price for utilities, gasoline, food, and medicine jumped by 10 to 30 percent,” he said. “Unfortunately, we do not know how deep and how long this crisis will last nor where this road will lead us.”

In the midst of the uncertainty, the Lutheran church is encouraging its people to take comfort in Jesus. “During this time, SELCU pastors have been busy preaching hope and faith in the Lord,” Rev. Navrotskyy says, “comforting and encouraging people to trust the Lord and be ready for any potential turbulences.”

LCC offers the following prayer to remember the people of Ukraine:

Almighty and gracious Lord, source of all compassion, the promise of Your mercy fills our hearts with hope. We entreat You on behalf of our brothers and sisters in eastern Europe living under the threat of war to hear their cries for peace. Uproot from the minds of civil leaders the desire for worldly gain and the pride of conquest. Grant them counsel through Your holy Word and influence their hearts and minds so that war may be averted and peace prevail. Strengthen the resolve of Your people everywhere that we may grow in the spirit of brotherhood and that all fears and divisions may be overcome by the peace that comes through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lutheran Church–Canada has been involved in mission work in Ukraine since 1993. Today, the church works in cooperation with the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine to provide seminary education, ministry in orphanages and prisons, and more.

———————

Print this article