As the crises in Israel and Gaza, Ukraine and, more recently, South Sudan continue this page is updated with latest prayer resources and other information as appropriate. 

Blackburn Prayers

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Matthew 5.9

Join with us in praying daily for all those affected by the terrible violence in Israel and Gaza, and for all who work for peace, unity and healing.

Prayers are featured in our Daily Blackburn Prayers email. You can subscribe here to it as well as to the monthly prayer list. 

Bishops' statement

We ask the Diocese of Blackburn to join us in prayer for peace and an end to the violence which has led already to the loss of so many innocent lives. 

Pray also to the God who calmed the storm to be at work in the hearts of those immediately involved in making decisions regarding what to do next, so that they might choose peace over perpetual bloodshed.

Finally, pray for God’s wisdom to be found in those who advise leaders across the Middle East, the Ukraine, South Sudan and the wider world as they consider how to respond. 

• +Philip Blackburn
• +Jill Lancaster
• +Joe Burnley

A collect for peace

Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Prayers for Israel and Gaza/Palestine

We pray regularly for Israel and Gaza/Palestine through 'Blackburn Prayers' and also the 'Blackburn Daily prayers', distributed daily on email. Sign up here. 

Our prayer: 

We pray for all those affected by the crises, for the families of all those who have lost their lives; for the displaced and for an end to the bloodshed. We pray that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will bring His peace. Amen. 

Diocesan Prayer for Ukraine

We also continue to pray for Ukraine and we have an official Diocesan prayer which can be said at any time. 

Almighty God, seated above all the affairs of humankind and sovereign over nations and leaders, hear our prayer for Ukraine at this time of war; that lives may be spared, that national boundaries be respected and that forces of aggression be restrained. Grant, Lord God, peace in your world in our time. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

The Lord's Prayer in Ukrainian, courtesy of The Diocese of Gloucester ...

National liturgical resources

• Relevant liturgical resources for Ukraine from the national church can be found here. 
• A parish toolkit for Ukraine from the national church can be found here.

Bishop Philip calls Diocese to pray for South Sudan

Bishop Philip has called the whole of Lancashire to pray for the country of South Sudan following fresh political and social unrest in the country at this time. 

He does so in a video available now on our Diocesan socials channels including X/Twitter. 

Our Diocese is linked with the Diocese of Liwolo in South Sudan, which is led by Bishop Joseph Aba. More information about this here. 

Ronnie Semley, last updated April 2025