Prayers for Ukraine

As a school, we have been praying for the Ukraine with many of our students adding their petitions to our Prayer Tree.  Today, as they see their country assaulted on land, by sea and in the air, we join the people of Ukraine in praying:

Lord, oh the Great and Almighty,
Protect our beloved Ukraine,
Bless her with freedom and light
Of your holy rays. 

With learning and knowledge enlighten
Us, your children small,
In love pure and everlasting
Let us, oh Lord, grow. 

We pray, oh Lord Almighty,
Protect our beloved Ukraine,
Grant our people and country
All your kindness and grace.

Bless us with freedom, bless us with wisdom,
Guide into kind world,
Bless us, oh Lord, with good fortune
For ever and evermore.

'Prayer for Ukraine' is a poem written by Oleksandr Konysky in the Spring of 1885 in Kyiv, when the Imperial Russian government suppressed the use of the Ukrainian language.  It acquired special significance during Ukraine's war of independence (1917-1920) when it was set to music by Mykola Lysenko.  It has since become the Spiritual Anthem of Ukraine.