Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
For weeks we have been following the news on the war in Ukraine. It is a war “on” the people of Ukraine. I was about to describe what is happening in Ukraine but I have not the words. Evil exists in the world; this war is evil. The people of that nation have died and suffered as they have continued to defend their nation.
We do what we can. See the article about the response of KidKnits in this edition of the Epistle. We have collected money to be sent in support of the Ukrainian people, over $5,500 so far, and we continue to collect money. Member congregations of the ELCA have given millions of dollars in support of this effort. Many in the larger community are using holy imagination to respond to the needs of these people. One effort that has received much publicity is Door County Candle Company’s fundraising campaign. Volunteers from the community are coming together in making Ukrainian candles and selling them. Others are providing meals and treats for the workers. The members of this company had an idea and the community is responding. I have heard many of the stories.
Yet this seems insufficient. A few weeks ago, I participated with other area clergy in leading 'A Service of Prayer for Ukraine.' To whom do we go when we lament, when we cry out, when we feel lost, when we feel we are not or cannot do what needs to be done? We go to God.
That night we heard music, readings, words of lament, and hope in Christ. And we prayed and prayed. We will continue to pray. What follows is my prayer from that evening.
From Romans:
The Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
Merciful God,
We pray to you the innocents of Ukraine, at least that's what I signed up to do tonight. Innocents, maybe at one time the word was less complex to define: children, elderly folks, those who couldn't care for themselves. But not today.
Lord have mercy
This prayer has become a struggle for me, maybe it is a struggle for more than me. It's not that it's hard to pray, but who are these innocents in this war, brought to the people of Ukraine?
Lord have mercy
The Ukrainian people have done nothing to bring this war upon themselves. They were going about their daily lives, working, learning, serving, playing, singing, dancing, crying, laughing, giving birth.
Lord have mercy
The innocents are the people of Ukraine, not only the children and those who can't care for themselves. but they are a nation, a people of innocents. Wherever they are, in a bunker and basement in Ukraine, or on the road to, or in a land which will be a place where they find refuge, we pray for them all.
Lord have mercy
Lord, yes there are the children, some accompanied by mothers, some traveling alone, and there are some young and old who are being wheeled out of the Ukraine in wheelchairs and shopping carts, and all of them are leaving someone behind. Show your healing presence and care of them all, and for those who meet them on the road, and show your healing presence to those who remain in Ukraine.
Lord have mercy
Merciful Lord, God with us all, God with the people of Ukraine.
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
Come Holy Spirit, come quickly, come quickly with healing, and peace.
Amen