Chaplains Pray for Peace

Chaplains across the county have been moved, like so many by the situation in the Ukraine and have been finding ways of responding and helping the officers and staff they care for, respond.

Minutes silences have been held, short services have taken place and peace vigils kept.

Chaplain George Hadley  - Bedfordshire Lead Police Chaplain reflected in a message to his colleagues:

"The scale of the issue may feel overwhelming to us as the daily news bulletins show the situation in graphic detail, with so many harrowing personal stories of those caught at the centre of this what is a war against humanity. It is making many people feel afraid for the future and feel powerless to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end...

We pray that all involved, be granted wisdom and compassion for the people throughout the whole region and that the leaders clearly understand that there are no winners in this conflict and all humanity ultimately will lose, so please step back.

We pray for an immediate ceasefire so no more lives are lost on either side as every life lost is a tragedy.

So I ask that you join me in the following prayer"

God of all people and all nations,

We lift before you the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia,

For every man, woman and child now living in fear of what tomorrow might bring,

Borders, barricades, bewilderment…Troops, tanks, bombs, missiles,

The ground trembles and so do people…

The world is holding it’s breath and utters what next ?

We long for a time you spoke of through your prophet Isaiah,

When weapons of war would be beaten into ploughshares,

When nation will no longer lift up sword against nation,

We cry out to you for peace….

We ask that you pour our your spirt of compassion and wisdom on the leaders involved.

Fill All earthly leaders with great wisdom to find paths to peace,

Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety,

Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones,

Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression,

Please Lord come and have your way in your world,

May your will be done here, on earth as it is in heaven,

May your peace reign. Now and always,

We lift this prayer to you, our God who is able to do more than we can ever ask or imagine.

Amen

Prayer adapted by George from extracts on the Christian Aid website

Lead Chaplain of Hampshire Constabulary - Rev'd Dom Jones held a Peace Vigil at police HQ and other locations across the Force for those who needed some time and space to come together and pray for Peace.

Dom introduced the service by saying 

"Each of us are here for a different reason but whatever our reason we stand together. This place that we gather in becomes our temporary shelter, our church, our temple our sanctuary. As we remember or brothers and sisters throughout the world who shelter today for fear of their lives. In our time together we offer you a time of rest, reflection and remembering as gather today for a common purpose

Today’s service recognises that we need to pray for peace and hope for peace throughout our world but today especially for Ukraine."

The service featured, poems and prayers from different faith traditions including Gandhi's Peace Prayer.

"I offer you peace
I offer you love
I offer you friendship
I see your beauty
I hear your need
I feel your feelings
My wisdom flows from the highest source
I salute that source in you
Let us work together
For unity and peace."

The full order of service for the Peace Vigil is available to members once logged in under the 'resources section'.