Pope Requests Ash Wednesday as Day of Prayer and Fasting for Ukraine

Dear Friends,

Pope Francis is calling on the whole world to offer Ash Wednesday as a day of prayer for Ukraine. In his own words:

“I would like to appeal to everyone,

believers and non-believers alike.

Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with

God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting.

I invite everyone to make March 2nd,

Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace.

I encourage believers in a special way

to dedicate themselves intensely

to prayer and fasting on that day.

May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.”

Below is a prayer for Ukraine which you may want to use for your daily prayer.

Know that we are united with you in this time of urgent prayer for our world.

With every blessing of this Lenten Season,

Your Carmelite Sisters

Carmel of Reno

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A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice,

we pray for the people of Ukraine today.

We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.

We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,

that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.

We pray for those with power over war or peace,

for wisdom, discernment and compassion

to guide their decisions.

Above all, we pray for all your precious children,

at risk and in fear,

that you would hold and protect them.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Amen.