Words of Light and Hope from Helena Crockford LLM

Words of Light and Hope 25 th February 2024 Helena Crockford LLM

Yesterday, 24 th February marked the two year point since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. With this and other brutal and bitter conflicts around the world, especially in the Middle East, we can feel paralysed with helplessness and horror. Yet always, we can take our lament, and our prayers for peace and justice, to God.

Psalm 31 has become a key text for Ukrainians: In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; Let me never be put to shame; Deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Into your hands I commit my spirit; Deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love When I was in a city under siege. You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the Lord, all his faithful people! Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

There has been a huge creative response, from Ukrainian artists and poets sometimes from the front line like this from Borys Humenyuk – ‘Not a Poem in 40 Days’: Poetry saw people die. Poetry put spent bullet shells in its ears. Poetry would rather go blin Than see corpses every day.

Poetry is the shortcut to heaven. Poetry sees into the void. When you fall It lets you remember your way back. Poetry went places Where there isn’t place for poetry.

Poetry witnessed it all.

Poetry witnessed it all.

The #WePrayForUkraine prayer can give us words to pray:

God of all peoples and nations Who created all things alive and breathing, United and whole, Show us the way of peace that is your overwhelming presence. We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, Every child and every adult. We long for the time When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares When nations no longer lift up sword against nation. We cry out to you for 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 Be with those who are bereaved.    Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace. Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour, And a passion for justice to prevail and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace. Creator of all hear our prayer And bring us peace. Make us whole.     Amen.