WSCF-Europe stands in solidarity with Ukraine
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
We pray for the Ukrainian people, both for those who are leaving their homes, and for those who stay. We pray for those who have lost their lives since the beginning of the war, and for those who have lost their loved ones. We pray for those who are terrified and those who do not understand what is happening. We pray for students who are forced to interrupt their studies and whose dreams and perspectives are suddenly taken away. May God’s peace surround them. Our thoughts and actions are with them.
We pray for those who were already in a situation of vulnerability before the invasion, and who have experienced an even greater disadvantage since the beginning of the war. We pray for all who may encounter heightened physical or mental difficulties in facing this emergency or escaping. May God protect them and the people who are supporting them in these terrible times.
We pray for the people in the Ukrainian military, in the territorial defence, and for the civilians who are defending the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state and the lives of the civilians from Russian aggression. We pray for those who are risking their lives to deliver food and medicines, and for those who are helping people to flee from the most dangerous regions. May God brace all the volunteers who are supporting day and night the Ukrainian military, the civilians, and coordinating humanitarian aid.
We pray for those inhabitants of Ukraine who are not nationals of the country, and in particular for the international students who are pursuing their studies in various Ukrainian cities. We pray that they might find a way to escape the war and reunite with their families and loved ones. The visa requirements to enter EU member states such as Poland and Slovakia should in no way prevent non-Ukrainian nationals from crossing the borders and seeking asylum, if they wish to do so. May God hold their hand and enlighten those who are blinded by racist bias.
We pray for the people living in the neighbouring countries of Ukraine, and thank God for the generosity of those who are opening their homes to the people fleeing and showing solidarity in other ways. We pray for the people bringing essential goods to the borders, for those who are driving displaced people to safer places and all those who are supporting those fleeing the conflict. May God keep leading their ways and give them strength.
We pray for the Russian and Belarussian people who are demonstrating against the war and putting their safety at risk. We pray for those who were arrested while demonstrating against the war crimes perpetrated by their government. We pray for the soldiers who are deserting the Russian army and for those who are dying in the conflict, victims of the lies of their own government. We pray for those who are too afraid to be outspoken. May God give them the strength to speak up against the war and bring an end to it.
We pray for peace in Ukraine, in the whole of Europe and everywhere. We reject war, as we still commemorate the devastation across our continent during WWI, WWII and the Balkan wars. We know that these conflicts murdered and divided the people of Europe and that the resulting faultlines are still seen many decades later. May God give us the wisdom to make sure that such horrors stop immediately and will never be repeated.
Our Federation bears witness to a different world, in which love, compassion, and fraternity prevail. WSCF-Europe stands with Ukraine and condemns war in every form.
You can read the full statement below.
