In times of injustice and evil I don’t always know how to pray and my heart feels disconnected from the words I say to God. I don’t know what it is to fear as the Ukrainians are fearing. I don’t know what it is like to hide for protection as they gather together.

I don’t know what it is like to wonder whether my home will exist tomorrow.

So, I tried something new. I decided to connect to the heart of the Ukrainian people through their food. Specifically through cake.

My son and I prepared a traditional Ukrainian Apple called Yabluchnyk. As I cut the butter and topped the cake, I imagined what it was like to do this in a home and with a family. I prayed through that imagination for mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, and those who would usually gather for tea and cake but could not today. As my imagination entered their world, their kitchens, and their homes, I entered their humanity. And I more deeply entered their suffering. And, then I remembered:

So, we baked the cake and we prayed for the people as we drank hot tea and ate cake. We prayed one day they would celebrate over tea and cake again. We prayed evil would be thwarted. .We prayed God’s comfort and peace in the midst of their fear. And we prayed for good people who could make a change would do so.

Even though we can’t exactly know another’s suffering, we can enter into another’s world through our common humanity. And we can bind our hearts in prayer. Our way was with cake and prayer.

Looking for a way to pray and honor the Ukrainian people? Consider making your own Ukrainian Apple Cake? Try this recipe.

This article was written by Rev. Laura Murray and originally posted on her social media page. She is a spiritual director, coach, public, speaker and author. She is also a covenant partner of Retreat House, so when we asked if we might share her words on our blog, she said YES! Learn more about Laura here.