ロシアのウクライナ侵攻から一ヶ月の祈り Prayer for Ukraine

2022年3月24日

ロシアによるウクライナ侵攻から一ヶ月が経過しました。国連安保理事国による侵略戦争により殺戮がくり返され、両軍の戦死者は計り知れず、国連人権高等弁務官事務所によれば3月21日までにウクライナの民間人925人が死亡、実際はさらに多い可能性が高く、国外への難民は355万人と報じられています。
首都キエフの攻防が続き、マリウポリは包囲され深刻な事態です。ザポリージャ原発が制圧され、避難所への攻撃や極超音速空中発射弾道ミサイルの使用など、戦争の激化が止まりません。ウクライナも徹底抗戦の構えで、ロシアは生物・化学兵器や核兵器の使用を示唆してNATOを牽制し、第三次世界大戦の端緒となりかねない危機的状況が続いています。

この一ヶ月、平和を願う祈りと戦争被害者への支援、平和構築の努力が世界を包んでいます。引き続き「Stand in the Gap 破れ口にキリストの平和を」を覚えて平和を祈りましょう。

「地をさばく方よ 立ち上がってください。高ぶる者に報復してください」詩篇94篇2節

神よ、ロシア軍による侵攻を一日も早くやめさせ、撤退させてください。

・ロシアの世論が戦争に反対し、プーチン大統領が侵略を断念しますように。

・国連と各国の指導者を、戦争の終結と平和のために働かせてください。

・ロシアとウクライナの教会を守り、平和を作り出す者として用いてください。

・兵士たちが、殺し合うこと、市民を殺すことを忌み嫌うようにさせてください。

・悪しき者が、人びとの憎悪や復讐を増幅させ、連鎖させないようにしてください。

・戦争が世界に拡大すること、核兵器が使われることが決してありませんように。

・人道支援の国々と人々を用い、戦争被害者、難民355万人と避難民を助けてください。

・包囲され、インフラと食料を絶たれているマリウポリの人々を助けてください。

・平和憲法に立って日本がふさわしい貢献をすることができるようにしてください。

2022年3月24日

東京基督教大学 学長 山口陽一

A Second Prayer for Ukraine
A Month after Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

It has been a month since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.  Since the invasion of Ukraine by one of the countries on the U.N. Security Council, massacres have repeatedly occurred, and the death toll for both armies has continued to grow immeasurably.  According to OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights), as of March 21st, 925 Ukrainian civilians have been killed during the war, although the actual number of civilian casualties is likely much higher, and 3,550,000 people have become international refugees.  The assault on the capital Kiev continues, and the siege of Mariupol has entered a severe state of affairs.  Through the suppression of the Zhaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, attacks on refugee centers and use of hypersonic air-to-surface ballistic missiles, the intensity of the war hasn’t slowed at all.  While Ukraine prepares to fight to the bitter end, and Russia has issued warnings to NATO regarding the use of bio-chemical and nuclear weapons, critical conditions persist that could spiral into a 3rd world war.

Throughout this month, prayers for peace and support for the victims of this war, as well as efforts and cooperation in peace efforts continue to spread around the globe.  Let us continue to remember “Stand in the Gap: Christ’s peace in the broken places” as we continue to pray for peace.

“Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve!” Psalm 94:2

Lord God, we pray that the invasion by the Russian military would end as quickly as possible, and that the military would be withdrawn from Ukraine as quickly as possible.

  • That public opinion in Russia would oppose the war, and that President Putin would give up his plans for invasion.
  • That the leaders of the U.N. and every country would work to end war and create peace.
  • That the churches in Russia and Ukraine would be protected, and that the members of the church would be used as peacemakers.
  • That the soldiers would come to loathe killing, especially civilians.
  • That the chains of hatred and revenge would not be increased between people by the wicked.
  • That war will not spread out across the world from this, and that the use of nuclear weapons would be avoided at all costs.
  • That people and countries would be used to provide humanitarian aid, and protect and aid the war victims, 3,550,000 refugees and displaced persons.
  • That the infrastructure and sustenance necessary for life would be protected and provided to the residents of besieged Mariupol.
  • That Japan, founded on a constitution of peace, would donate to these needs as befitting this foundation.

Yoichi Yamaguchi
President, Tokyo Christian University

March 24, 2022

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