The Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, and the Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton, stand with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in condemning the invasion of Ukraine and calling for prayers for all those affected.

In a joint statement, the archbishops said: "The horrific and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an act of great evil.  

“Placing our trust in Jesus Christ, the author of peace, we pray for an urgent ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian forces.  

"We call for a public decision to choose the way of peace and an international conference to secure long term agreements for stability and lasting peace.

“We invite Christians to make this Sunday a day for prayer for Ukraine, Russia and for peace. 

“We also give our support to the call from Pope Francis for a global day of prayer and fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday, March 2.”

>> Download: A prayer for the crisis in Ukraine - from 24-7 Prayer [.zip folder]

For those of you who may have been considering fundraising or other personal support but are unsure how to direct this, one of several new humanitarian appeals is open at https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal