When I was a little girl, my mother sat down on my bed every night and we said our prayers together before I went to sleep. The prayer that I liked the best and which has stayed with me all of these years comes from the Book of Common Prayer. It seems most appropriate for the people of Ukraine during this terrible time.

The prayer goes:

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;

and by thy great mercy defend us

from all perils and dangers of this night;

for the love of thy only Son,

our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Here is also my own prayer this evening for the people of Ukraine and all people who are suffering:

Dear Father in Heaven

Help me to know how to react

When I witness the powerful

Subjugate the innocent

Guide me, Lord

Show me what I can do

However small

To bring courage, light, and hope

Into a world where darkness threatens