PRAYING FOR PEACE IN THE UKRAINE

 PRAYING FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE

We had something else planned for today’s meditation but with events taking place in Ukraine as they are in the past couple of days, it seemed much more appropriate to bring those endangered folks to the Lord in our thoughts and prayers today.

Just steps from where I live is a lovely Ukranian Church which is proclaiming the truth of God’s Word as God’s people gather there to pray.  I walk past it often when I’m doing a bit of exercise in the neighbourhood.  I’ve been inside the church, which is saturated in prayer and with a wonderful presence of the Lord’s presence and peace. I’ve spoken with some of the people after their evening service on a Sunday.  God cares for them and all those they are connected to both here and in their homeland. 

Heavenly Father, we lift up folks in the Ukraine who are under attack today.  We ask You to have mercy on them and deliver them from this dangerous aggression.  Have mercy on them, we pray and quickly bring peace and stability. 

We bless them as they stand for truth, justice, and freedom and pray that even as these values seem to be challenged by this invasion that somehow You will work in the situation for good, drawing many to come to faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the only true source of peace, safety, comfort, and freedom.

We see people sheltering in the underground transit system and we pray:

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Philippians 4:7

We pray for wives and children of soldiers who are now directly in harm’s way.  How difficult it is for everyone at times like this.  Be near them, we pray, with comfort and strength, one day at a time, as they go through this very dangerous time.  We pray for Christians in the military. This is a challenging time for them and we ask You, God, to guide them as their faith is being tested in new ways.

We know Lord how this kind of situation can spawn personal conflicts in families, especially family members wo live on opposite sides of borders and influenced by different messages from the media.  We pray for unity and love that supersedes the problems between the countries. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Matthew 5:9

We pray God that you would raise up those who would know how to bring about a peaceful resolution to what is going on in the Ukraine right now. Whether it is political leaders or others who work behind the scenes, we pray that those with wisdom and grace will stand above what is going on and be able to articulate helpful ways forward to bring peace and stability.

I’m reminded of a pretty much unknown guy who is mentioned in the Bible who made a significant contribution in resolving a very problematic situation in his nation at the time.

But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked. This was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.  Psalm 130:30-31

Lord raise up others who can be a Phinehas in this time.  Pour out Your Spirit on them.  Fill them with wisdom.  Grant them favour with those who need to hear what they have to say. 

We wrap up these prayers with Psalm 121.  Along with the Ukranian people we pray:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.