As I write this, it’s been nearly three weeks since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine began. In that time, we’ve seen a dizzying escalation from scattered Russian columns attempting a quick overthrow of the Ukrainian government to an all-out onslaught against the Ukrainian people, with the Russian Army indiscriminately shelling civilian apartment buildings, besieging cities, and arresting local elected officials. These are not only war crimes, they are crimes against humanity. They are among the darkest expressions of sin imaginable.
The Ukrainian Army has, so far, shown laudable restraint and professionalism in its response; there have been no tit-for-tat attacks on Russian cities by Ukraine. But a war waged well within the lines of acceptable conduct is nevertheless a tragedy. The Russian mass murder of Ukrainian civilians is an abomination. And the needless death of thousands of Russian conscripts, mainly young men barely out of high school serving a poorly-timed year of mandatory military service, is—while not a war crime—profoundly sad.
The Episcopal Church is not pacifist as a matter of theology, as Quakers or Mennonites; while individual members may reject any and all war or military service, the Church as a body recognizes that there are situations in which armed resistance is morally acceptable, even admirable. War is horrifying. But to pray for peace is not to pray for Ukrainian surrender; it is to pray for “peace” is the fullest sense of the Hebrew word shalom: not peace as the absence of conflict, but peace as the presence of justice.
So pray, this Lent, for peace. Pray for the safety of the millions of refugees fleeing Ukraine, mourning the loss of their homes and their family members, seeking safety in a strange land. Pray for the souls of those who have died, civilians and Ukrainian soldiers and Russian soldiers alike. Pray for Russian civilians whose savings have been wiped out or whose stomachs will go unfilled as the result of sanctions. Pray, especially, for the repentance of Vladimir Putin and his allies, that they may see the truth of their evil and turn, and be saved; and save countless thousands of lives.
If you are looking for a reliable way to support the innocent victims of this conflict through financial giving, I’d encourage you to consider Episcopal Relief and Development’s Ukraine Crisis Response Fund. Working through the Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance), donations to this fund will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other assistance to Ukraine refugees who arriving in Poland and Hungary. (You can click here to read more about ERD’s efforts.)
A group of St. John’s parishioners is in the process of planning a prayer service for peace. If you would like to participate, please stay tuned for more information or email Greg.
In the meantime, I have been lingering this month with one of the prayer book’s more powerful prayers, with which I’ll leave you today:
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
BCP p. 815, “4. For Peace”