February 24, 2025, marks the third anniversary of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As the war continues to bring devastation and loss, prayers are being lifted across the world for peace, justice, and healing.
The Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) has shared a prayer written by the member church, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ukraine, inviting people to join in lament and hope. This prayer, offered in multiple languages, reflects the sorrow and resilience of those affected by the war.
Accompaniment in prayer, solidarity visits and support
Over the last three years, our international church partners have stood in constant solidarity with the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, the most western region of Ukraine, offering support and prayers. There have been 25 solidarity visits involving 27 partners, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to standing with the region. Around the world, churches and communities continue to raise their voices, lifting up Ukraine and its people in prayer.
As we mark this painful anniversary, we invite all to join in prayer with the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia. We hope these prayers may be a beacon of hope and a call for peace that reaches across borders and hearts.
Faith leaders from the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia have also come forward with prayers of their own. Their words reflect both the pain of war and the steadfast belief in God’s promise of peace.
Prayer offered by Rev. Erika Margitics, minister of the reformed congregation in Beregszász (Berehove), college chaplain
“Our Almighty Loving Lord! We praise you for your protecting hand over us hasn’t yet become weary! We praise you because your word of consolation has not yet run dry! We praise you because, though we may often forget it, you are all in all. And it is so wonderful to know that you are greater. Greater than war, greater than our thoughts, greater than our finitude.
We have been relentlessly praying for peace, but let us now give thanks. We thank you for the peace you will surely give one day. And for the peace you already grant us, even under circumstances which don’t offer a reason for hope. For the peace we receive, although we cannot see what the future brings in human terms. For the peace, we receive by the presence of your Holy Spirit. For your peace, which we experience whenever we listen to your promise that you are the Lord who “takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear.” We pray for this true peace for the whole country, and we believe that You also prepare for the end of the war. We pray for those who pray for us. We pray for those who pray with us. And we pray also for those who do not keep us in their prayers. We beg for those who still believe there can be peace or a future without you.
Lord, teach us to love. To love as You love. To love truly, even if it is hard in times of war. For it is this love that liberates us to be truly grateful. To give thanks according to Apostle Paul’s admonition in all circumstances. This act of love has given, gives and continues to give hope and a future in all circumstances. This is how we implore you to teach us to love. AMEN”
Special Offering Spotlights Important Church Work in Hungary and Ukraine
February 16 to 23 is the week for suggested contributions within the Special Offering for Disciples of Christ churches. Week of Compassion developed a series of resources and a video based on its visit in October 2024.
Prayer offered by Zsuzsanna Danku, elder, wife of the Lay President of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia
“Our mighty God, Lord of hosts!
We know from your word that you are the almighty Lord of the heavenly hosts, of the earthly armies, and of those under the earth. We thank you, O God, that you have sustained us until now. You have kept us alive in the midst of burdens and troubles. We thank you for standing by us in our spiritual and physical trials. We believe, Lord, that even in these three years of war, nothing has happened to us without your knowledge. But we also know from Your Word that it is not Your will. You did not create the world for this.
Heavenly Father, You see how many people are suffering in Ukraine. We bring before You the men, the families torn apart, the widows, the orphans. Be with the mothers, wives, children and all those who have lost their loved ones. Carry them through the pain of grief since only You can comfort them. Please grant the wounded people both physical and spiritual healing.
Bless those who pray for us. From the depths of our souls, we ask you to bring about peace as soon as possible. We echo the psalmist’s words, “For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” (Psalms 122)
In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask you to hear our prayer. Amen.”
Service Feeds on Thanksgiving
Communities, in particular, can serve God in the year 2025. This year could be a year of war, but it could also be a year of peace. Every action that proclaims the glory of God is a service: it must be spent on what is necessary, what preserves, what protects," says Sándor Zán Fábián, Bishop of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia (RCT). The RCT has proclaimed this year the Year of Service.
Prayer offered by Rev. Sándor Zán Fábián, Bishop of the Reformed Church in Trancarpathia
“Our Heavenly Father,
I give you thanks for my life, for my loved ones, with whom I have been able to remain together in fellowship, in the bond of family, during the three years of war. I am grateful for all the people You have kept safe from the ravages of war. I am grateful for those who stayed in Ukraine despite the dangers and all the difficulties. I am grateful for the children born in the years of the war. Thank you for the care, the life, the home, the health. I am grateful for all the strength, hope and faith you have given to me. Thank you to the people who have helped, encouraged and supported our community in many ways. Thank you to all the survivors who have persevered through the grief and so much pain.
I trust in your love, I trust in your might and in your grace. I ask you, Heavenly Father, to share the gift of your love with those suffering from war. By your power, above all, create Peace. Please grant Your grace to all sinful and miserable human beings so that we learn to forgive one another and to love. For Jesus Christ, hear my prayer. Amen”
The Protestant Church in Switzerland and the United Reformed Church in Great Britain invites their member to join the intercession using the above prayers.
Prayer campaign in Switzerland
“The reality of this devastating war, which has already claimed hundreds of thousands of victims, destroyed entire regions and weakened the infrastructure, leaves us increasingly helpless and speechless”
Prayer campaign in Great Britain
A just peace is still not within reach. To mark the anniversary, the United Reformed Church published the above prayers and invited their members to join in the lament and hope of our Ukrainian siblings. „You might wish to use them in your intercessions as we unite in prayer for peace,” reads in invitation.
Gustav Adolf Werk invited for intercession across Europe
On the 3rd anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine - many forget that the war began in 2014 - we asked our partner churches in Ukraine for their impressions, assessments and prayers. A prayer for peace has emerged from their words: "O God, we have been praying to you every day for more than a thousand days!"