WCC News: As Russian invasion of Ukraine enters fifth year, churches across the world pray for peace

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine entered its fifth year, churches across the world prayed for peace and called for justice.  An ecumenical prayer for peace in the Bern Cathedral, with participation of Bern churches and a chamber orchestra from Bakhmut, Ukraine. Photo: Christoph Knoch/EKS 27 February 2026 An ecumenical prayer for peace in the Bern Cathedral, with participation of Bern churches and a chamber orchestra from Bakhmut, Ukraine, became more than a commemoration. Those gathered described it as “lament, intercession, and hope all at once.” Bishop Felix Gmür opened the service as “a space for silence amidst the noise of weapons.” The Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe is leading a Lenten initiative, called the “Eucharistic Chain,” that involves praying for peace in Ukraine and the Holy Land throughout Lent. Each national Bishops’ Conference has committed to organising at least one Mass to pray for the victims of war and to invoke from the Lord an “unarmed and disarming peace” in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and throughout the whole world. The Ecumenical Patriarchate offered a liturgy with prayers for Ukraine’s war victims.  “With patriarchal solemnity, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was celebrated on Clean Tuesday at the Patriarchal Cathedral at the Phanar, on the occasion of the Feast of the Finding of the Precious Head of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist,” reported the Ecumenical Patriarchate.  The service was presided over by the Ecumenical Patriarch, who offered prayers for the spiritual strengthening of the faithful as they enter the ascetic journey of Holy and Great Lent. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, a Trisagion service was offered for the repose of the souls of all victims of the war in Ukraine, marking four years since the Russian invasion of the country. An ecumenical prayer in the St Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv on 24 February gathered heads of Ukraine's churches and leaders of European countries, along with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine At the Western Wall in Jerusalem, people gathered to offer prayers for Ukraine and to unfurl a blue and yellow flag. The Ukrainian Embassy in Israel organized the initiative. Diplomats from the embassy, along with members of the community, Ukrainian Jews, and friends of Ukraine, unfurled a 30-meter Ukrainian flag. Over 150 participants attended the event.  An ecumenical prayer in the St Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv on 24 February gathered heads of Ukraine's churches and leaders of many European countries, along with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska. Together, they prayed for blessings and help for Ukrainian soldiers, for a dignified peace, for the release of prisoners, for each and every person who was forced to leave their home, for all Ukrainians, and for the unity and resilience of the Ukrainian people. On fourth anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine, WCC urges just, sustainable peace (WCC news release, 20 February 2026) Ukrainian churches hold National Day of Prayer for just peace (WCC news release, 24 February 2026) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, February 23 and Sunday, March 1, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, March 2, 2026 - That we unite to deal with the gun violence within our society.
• Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - That we remember those who died in service to their country.
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - That World Vision will be able to address real human needs around the world.
• Thursday, March 5, 2026 - That Russia and Ukraine find a peaceful resolution to their conflict.
• Friday, March 6, 2026 - That governments recognize that their nations will be judged based on how they treat the poor and the powerless.
• Saturday, March 7, 2026 - That children be protected from those who are not seeking their best interest.
• Sunday, March 8, 2026 - That peace will be restored in the Middle East.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, February 22, 2026

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: During this season of Lent, we're moving through a sermon series entitled “Preparing for Easter.” During these five services, we're ...

Sunday's Message - Preparing for Easter: Fasting

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message - Preparing for Easter: Fasting: During this season of Lent, we're moving through a sermon series entitled “Preparing for Easter.” During these five services, we're ...

WCC News: Ukrainian churches hold National Day of Prayer for just peace

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, on 24 February, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will hold a National Day of Prayer for just peace, and is inviting various religious traditions in Ukraine and beyond to join in prayer. Church tower shines through the remains of the Russian military equipment destroyed during the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, displayed at the Mykhailivska Square, Kyiv, August 2022. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 24 February 2026 “The war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of international norms and rules has brought immense suffering, grief, and losses to the Ukrainian people,” notes the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) in its call for prayer.  “The war has caused the deaths of thousands upon thousands of Ukrainians, the brutal violation of human rights and freedoms in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including targeted religious persecution; the abduction of Ukrainian children, horrific treatment of military personnel and civilian prisoners, the destruction of cities and civilian infrastructure in our country”, states the UCCRO call, adding that the war has triggered the largest migration crisis in Europe in the 21st century. “At this time, we honor the memory of every defender who gave his or her life and health for Ukraine, and we offer prayers that God may strengthen and comfort their families.” Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations calls on representatives of various religious traditions in Ukraine and beyond to turn to the Almighty on this day, asking for a just peace for Ukraine: “God the Great, the One, protect Ukraine for us! We invoke God’s blessing upon Ukraine and the Ukrainian people!” Appeal of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations on the occasion of the Fourth Anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the National Day of Prayer for Ukraine On fourth anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine, WCC urges just, sustainable peace (WCC news release, 20 February 2026) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for February 22, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 22, 2026

First Reading Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 2:15The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” 3:1Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” 4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. Psalm Psalm 32 1   Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,           whose sin is covered. 2   Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,           and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3   While I kept silence, my body wasted away           through my groaning all day long. 4   For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;           my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.               Selah 5   Then I acknowledged my sin to you,           and I did not hide my iniquity;      I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”           and you forgave the guilt of my sin.                                                                                                                              Selah 6   Therefore let all who are faithful           offer prayer to you;      at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters           shall not reach them. 7   You are a hiding place for me;           you preserve me from trouble;           you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.                        Selah 8   I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;           I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9   Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,           whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,           else it will not stay near you. 10  Many are the torments of the wicked,           but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD. 11  Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous,           and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Second Reading Romans 5:12-19 12Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned — 13sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law.14Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. 15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.16And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification.17If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Gospel Matthew 4:1-11 1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”4But he answered, “It is written,      ‘One does not live by bread alone,           but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,      ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’           and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,      so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, February 23 and Sunday, March 1, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, February 23, 2026 - That we have the courage to deal with the violence within our society.
• Tuesday, February 24, 2026 - That artists and entertainers avoid debauchery, pornography, perversion, and drunkenness in their craft.
• Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - That the racial, ethnic, religious, and political divisions within the United States be healed.
• Thursday, February 26, 2026 - That the Ukrainian refugees are protected and sheltered.
• Friday, February 27, 2026 - That we reject the politics of division and hatred and join together as we work to solve the problems we face.
• Saturday, February 28, 2026 - That the body of Christ would fervently pray for our nation and its leaders.
• Sunday, March 1, 2026 - That people put the needs of others before their own wants.