Unfortunately war has broken out in Ukraine's lands for reasons that are old and complicated. As so many wise people have said in the past, war is not the solution. That raises the question, "Well what is?" Many would balk at the proposal that prayer is the answer, yet how can it not be at least part of the solution, particularly for those who would not, cannot, or should not involve themselves in the actual fight?
Take some time each day, just a few minutes, to ask God for an end to the war in Ukraine. Below you will find some general prayers during times of war.
AT THE TIME OF CALAMITY
O God, our refuge and our strength, mercifully regard Thy people who cry to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thy anger, which we justly deserve for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
From all dangers, deliver us, O Lord.
O God, Who knowest us to be set in the midst of so great dangers, that, by reason of the frailty of our nature, we cannot stand upright, grant us such health of mind and body, that those evils which we suffer for our sins we may overcome through Thine assistance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thou hast permitted me to be struck, but Thou hast saved me from death. For the sake of my beloved parents, and for my own sake, I thank Thee from the bottom of my heart.
During the long hours of inaction, may my thoughts often turn to Thee. Support those who do not have hope and and true faith and bring to them into Thy fold, as the Good Shepherd. May there be no more wars, never any more. Change the hearts that are in men that they may feel like brothers and not kill one another.
PRAYER FOR A DYING COMRADE
We pray that this comrade's heart may not be troubled. His strength is going, and he has suffered a great deal, but he is not afraid. Grant that his sins be forgiven by Thee, and that all trials are past for him.
May he not worry about his family, which he loves dearly. He dies believing in Thee, as he has lived, believing in Thee. May Thy face and the happiness of eternal life shine splendidly before his eyes.
COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD
Remember, O Lord, Thy servants, (name them), who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace.
To these, O Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, grant, we pray Thee, a place of refreshment, of light,
and of peace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE WAR
Our Father, Who art in Heaven: give us, we pray Thee, the courage and the strength to stamp out the threat of paganism and slavery that hangs over the world today.
Be merciful to all those who have died in the service of our country.
Console those who have lost their loved ones in the struggle.
Help our fighting men to be always clean of heart and therefore unafraid.
Soothe the wounded in battle.
Sustain the courage of those who suffer persecution for conscience' sake.
Have pity on all who have been insulted, robbed, tortured, defiled, enslaved by their conquerors.
Grant wisdom to our leaders, civil and military,
that they may most effectively direct our efforts, at home and abroad.
Teach us all to walk humbly with Thee, so that we may be worthy to conquer,
and having conquered may build a peace with justice, under the Fatherhood of God.
Amen.
My shoulders ache beneath my pack;
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back.)
I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart.)
Men shout at me that may not speak;
(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek.)
I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty drops that sear.
(Then shall my guilty soul forget
Thy agony of Bloody Sweat?)
Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.
So let me render back again T
his millionth of Thy gift. Amen.
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PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do
Thy will through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-----St. Ignatius Loyola