Prayer candles burn during Sunday service in the Lutheran church St. Catherine in Kyiv, 12 May 2024. Photo: LWF/ Cornelia Kästner-Meyer
Remembering those affected by this war, and conflicts around the world
(LWI) - With a prayer on 20 November, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) remembered 1,000 days since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine to a full-scale war. Churches, partners and staff gathered in an online prayer to remember the suffering of the people in Ukraine and in the many other conflicts around the world.
"Throughout this time, we have witnessed the resilience of our member church and others around them, who have shown their resilience and courage to rebuild, create new lives, and find belonging in new communities despite tremendous challenges,” said Rev. Dr Ireneusz Lukas, LWF Regional Secretary for Europe.
LWF Regional Secretary for Europe, Rev. Dr Ireneusz Lukas led the prayer together with LWF Communion Office who have been working on the Ukraine response in the past years. Rev. Dr Dmytro Tsolin, pastor of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine, shared a reflection.
Reaffirm solidarity
Noting that the day is also marked by many churches in Europe as the Day of Prayer and Repentance, Rev. Tsolin spoke about the Beatitudes and the challenge of being peacemakers in times of crisis and war. “Only the peace of the Holy Spirit can lift us above all painful issues and inner conflicts of the heart and allow us to know the mystery of God’s love,” he said.
“We are called to share in the struggles of our brothers and sisters in times of crisis,” added Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, Director, LWF Department for Theology, Mission and Justice. “Together, let us reaffirm our solidarity, lift our voices in prayer, and remember those whose lives have been irrevocably affected by this war.”
