How do I pray in a time of war?

Dear Cathedral,

It is time for the followers of Jesus to pray, for he was and is the Prince of Peace. But how do we pray and what do we pray for?

The potency and power of prayer are mysterious and cannot be measured by any standards that we know. I like to say to visitors who come to the Cathedral with no religious affiliation that “prayer can’t hurt.” But more than that, it has power far beyond our understanding.

There are as many kinds of prayer as there are individuals in this world. God made you as God made the snowflakes: each one perfect and extraordinary. Finding your way to pray is a process, and it will change over time. Jesus usually went to a quiet place. I recommend that. He would pray in silence, but he also knew scripture by heart. And, of course, he taught us the Lord’s Prayer.

Ask God for peace. Ask God to teach the human race about peace. Pray for the people of Ukraine and of Russia. And, because Jesus instructs us to pray for our enemies, pray for Vladimir Putin. Pray that God will change his heart.

We are at a pivotal moment in history. It is time to pray.

May you abound in God’s blessings.

With love in Christ,

Kate+

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God of peace and justice,

We pray for the people of Ukraine today.

We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.

We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,

That your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.

We pray for those with power over war or peace,

for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions.

Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Amen.

Archbishop Justin Welby

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

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