Sadly, the women of Ukraine would have had no opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day this week as they are trying to survive in a war zone. However, we can stop and recognise their courage, strength and hope in the midst of the ongoing crisis. 

These are women who pray. These are women who stand by their husbands to resist the advancing tanks. These are women who give birth in bomb shelters and breastfeed in the rubble. These are women who are preparing food for others and taking part in the rescue efforts. These are women who are driving cars and trucks with supplies because their husbands are fighting at the front.

 Finally, these are women who are on the march, in the cold and snow, with their children, and often other children as well, waiting for long hours at border crossings, hoping and praying for a better life in the days and months ahead.

Today my chosen prayer is especially for these women and all in the Ukraine who are living with the devastation of war. Today my prayer is for peace.

 A prayer for Ukraine

Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.

May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.

Amen.

Reflection retrieved and adapted from https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news 

Prayer retrieved from https://cafod.org.uk/ 

 Peace and blessings,