The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, has asked for prayers for the people of Ukraine:
“This long-planned invasion of Ukraine is to be condemned on all grounds without reservation.
“I ask you to pray for the people of Ukraine and join with Christians across Europe at 6pm on Tuesday to pray for peace and justice,” he said this morning.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell have also condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine as “an act of great evil”.
They are urging Christians to make this Sunday a special day of prayer for Ukraine, Russia and for peace. They are also supporting a global day of prayer and fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday.
In a joint statement they said:
“The horrific and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an act of great evil.
“Placing our trust in Jesus Christ, the author of peace, we pray for an urgent ceasefire; a withdrawal of Russian forces; a resolute and public decision never to use force and an international conference to find long term agreements for stable peace.
“We call for Christians to make this Sunday a day for prayer for Ukraine, Russia and for peace.
“We also give our support to the call from Pope Francis for a global day of prayer and fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday, March 2.”