In whatever way we do, we pray for the people of Ukraine.
For those who, literally, are running for their lives.
For those seeking whatever protection a subway station offers.
For those who turn away from safety to face down aggressors.
For those who have lost their lives and for their families.
For those who have taken children by the hand leaving other loved ones behind.
For those…
All of those…
And for so many more.
Some of our prayers have been formal.
Prayer book prayers.
Prayers carefully and thoughtfully written and spoken on behalf of all
By Rabbi or Iman or Pastor.
Some have been our whispered “O God” in response to a picture or a headline.
For some our prayers have been your tears.
For others it has been your heart aching, heartbreaking sighs
Because any word you would try to speak only gets stuck in your throat.
But, if we stop there our prayers are incomplete.
Because we should also pray as deeply and as fervently for ourselves.
We should pray that the sun does not set on our anger at the ruthlessness and the injustice.
We should pray for the courage to wage peace with the same intensity as Putin (and others!) wage war.
We should pray for the strength to not turn away from seeing that which needs to be seen
And from saying that which needs to be said.
We should pray for forgiveness because we have turned away from other such moments.
We should pray for compassion deep enough that our heart breaks.
We should pray for resolve to get back up again
And to take that next step
Whatever that step might be for you
Towards that which God intends for us and for all.
We should pray for ourselves as well as for each and every one of them.
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