Photo: Jade Koroliuk

Please remember those who are anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones, not knowing whether they are alive or safe.

Merciful Father, please comfort those who have lost their families because of war. Wipe away the tears of children who have lost their parents.
Comfort parents whose hearts have been shattered by the loss of their children.

Bring comfort to those who have lost their husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, relatives, and dear friends.

In the midst of grief and loss that words cannot express, please stay close to them and do not allow them to fall completely into despair.

Speak gently to their hearts:

“You are not alone.”
“I know your tears.”
“I see your suffering.”
“I will not abandon you.”

May Your comforting voice bring light into the hearts of those who are suffering in darkness.

Almighty God, we especially ask You to protect the refugees and displaced people who have been forced to leave their homes because of war.

As they cross borders in fear and try to begin their lives again in unfamiliar places, provide them with safe shelter, food, clean water, medical care, and everything they need.

Lead them to compassionate people who will welcome them with kindness.
Open new doors for those who have lost everything so that they may once again have hope for tomorrow.

Especially protect children, the elderly, people with disabilities, the sick, and all those who are most vulnerable in the midst of war.

Do not allow children to have their childhood stolen by violence and fear.

May the day soon come when they can safely go to school, play freely, laugh again, and dream about their future.

Loving Father, please remember those who have lost their homes, possessions, and sources of income because of war.
Provide food for families who are hungry, clean water for those who thirst, and medicine and medical treatment for those who are sick or wounded.

Rebuild the homes, hospitals, schools, and workplaces that have been destroyed. May lives that have been interrupted by war gradually be restored.

Use the hands of compassionate people to provide humanitarian aid, medical assistance, food, shelter, and everything that is needed.

Lord,

Please heal the deep wounds in the hearts of those who have suffered through war. Heal not only the wounds that can be seen with human eyes, but also the wounds hidden deep within their hearts.
Cover those who are struggling with fear, anxiety, grief, anger, guilt, and despair with Your peace.

For those who continue to suffer from nightmares and painful memories even after the fighting has ended, please bring deep emotional and spiritual healing.

Lead them to compassionate counselors, medical professionals, family members, friends, and communities who can walk beside them.
Give them the courage to ask for help when they need it, and open the way for them to receive the care and support they need.

Almighty God,

Please bring an end to violence, hatred, and destruction. Do not allow hatred and revenge to produce more hatred and revenge.
Please guide decision makers toward dialogue, negotiation, reconciliation, and peace rather than further destruction.
Open doors that have been closed. Make a way where there seems to be no way.

May the sound of gunfire and explosions one day be replaced by the sound of peace, harmony, and joy.

Loving Father, please remember the soldiers who are serving in the midst of war.
Protect their lives and comfort them in their fear and suffering. Protect their families as well. Give peace to those who are waiting at home for their loved ones to return safely.
For all those who have been forced to see one another as enemies, open their hearts again so that they may recognize the value and dignity of every human life.

Heavenly Father,

When we look at the suffering caused by war and feel helpless, do not allow us to stop praying.

We cannot solve every problem ourselves, but we believe that You see everything and that every human life is precious to You.

May our prayers become a source of comfort to those who are suffering. May our small acts of love and generosity give someone the strength to keep going.

Do not allow us to turn away from those who are suffering because of war.

Show us how we can help, how we can serve, and how we can share love and compassion with those in need.

Lord, please build hope again in cities and villages that have been destroyed.

Let homes rise again from the ruins.
Let schools reopen.
Let workplaces become active again.
Let separated families be reunited.
Let ordinary life slowly return to communities that have been devastated by war.

May those who are crying today one day have reasons to smile again.

May those who live in fear today one day sleep peacefully and safely.

May those who are searching for their loved ones experience the joy of reunion.

May children who are living in despair today become children who can dream about tomorrow.

Almighty Father,

Even when every path appears closed to us, we believe that You can make a new way. We believe that what is impossible for people is possible with God.
Therefore, we ask You to pour out Your miraculous power upon the lands torn apart by war.

Turn despair into hope.
Turn tears into joy.
Turn fear into peace.
Restore broken lives.
Heal wounded hearts.

Please give people the courage to dream of a future again.

And, Father, bring the day when the wars will end and peace will finally begin.

May children once again be heard laughing.
May families once again sit together around their tables.
May people walk freely without fear.
May they work, study, worship, and live their daily lives in safety.
May people once again love and care for one another.

Lord, please remember every person who is shedding tears because of war today. Please do not overlook their wounds. Hear their cries. Receive their prayers and lift their lives up again.

Remember even those who are suffering in places that we do not know about and cannot see with our own eyes.
May Your peace reach every place where there is war, violence, conflict, fear, and suffering.

Let the war end,
and let peace begin.
Let hatred end,
and let love begin.
Let despair end,
and let hope begin.
Let the shadow of death retreat,
and let the light of life shine again.

Loving and peaceful Father, we place every person suffering because of war completely into Your hands. Please protect them today.
Open a way for them tomorrow. Rebuild their broken families, communities, and nations. Help all of us recognize the precious value of peace.

Teach us not to ignore the suffering of others, but to become people who protect life, comfort the hurting, and embrace one another with love.
Pour out Your heavenly comfort upon all who are suffering today.
Provide whatever they need to bring peace swiftly to the lands torn apart by war and let a new day of healing, restoration, hope, and peace come upon all those who have been wounded.

We pray all these things in the precious and powerful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.