When I lighted a single candle in church on Sunday morning and invited a time of prayer for peace in the Ukraine, I reflected that our small candle might seem like a very tiny spark in this world of darkness. However, even the smallest of flames does dispel the darkness. I have been inspired to hear of so many other individuals and churches joining in prayer for God to arrange peace for The Ukraine. The experience of those invaded by Russia has touched hearts everywhere. People have wanted to do something to help and many, many have chosen to pray and to invite God’s intervening power to bring peace. James 5:16 confirms, “The prayer of a person living right with God, is powerful and effective.” With each prayer, the intensity of our requests to God has grown to a blazing display of light and hope. Each small candle of faith contributes to a darkness defying expression of trusting God and welcoming what God will do in response to our prayers. Here are the words of a Pastor in Lviv, Ukraine, “please tell your people, because of their prayers, God really fights our battles. The rockets disappear in the air without reaching our homes and no one knows where did they go. Enemy tanks run out of fuel. Russian troops get lost and ask our locals for food and direction-that is definitely God because we are dealing with the second strongest army in the world… thank you for your prayers!!!” United efforts through prayer do change the course of history. We have opportunity to participate in this. Tomorrow, March 2nd is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The season of Lent is a time of preparing to remember again at Easter time, the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s Son. On this Ash Wednesday, Christians worldwide are being invited to join forces to pray for peace in The Ukraine. I invite you to join this round the world appeal in prayer for God to restore peace to the Ukraine. You can use the prayer below during our WEDNESDAY PRAYER TOGETHER today at 1 pm and you can also add your own prayers and petitions for God’s peace.
Praying earnestly for God’s peace in our hearts and in our world, Pastor Lola
Our God we come to you now with heavy hearts. We cannot imagine how life has changed so drastically for those who live in The Ukraine. We pray that they will not lose sight of You and Your loving care for them . We pray for all the ways that they will be assured that they have not been forgotten by You. Our minds consider the many others worldwide who on this same day are choosing to turn to You in urgent prayer asking for peace to be restored in The Ukraine. At this time, we join our prayers with theirs. We do not know how peace is best brought to The Ukraine so we trust You LORD for the details. Please reveal Yourself to those who are searching for direction. We implore You to provide wisdom for those in leadership who have the possibility to focus their efforts on the potential for a peaceful resolution. Our prayer God is for both Russians and Ukranians to see Your powerful light in the darkness. We think of those on both sides who long for this violence to end. We do not pretend to know the best solution to this significant and complex problem, but we are confident that You do. Our minds turn to the necessity for ongoing commitment to searching for the path to peace. We pray for people there in The Ukraine who at this very moment are overcome by fear. We pray for families who have been separated. We ask for peace for those who face such an uncertain future. Our prayers extend for those who struggle for the basic necessities of food and shelter. Our prayers surround those especially vulnerable: children, the elderly, people who are physically and mentally unwell, and those who were already struggling to survive day to day. For those who have the power of influence, we pray that their minds will be set on peace. We pray that this will be a worldwide initiative and that we will not stop praying for peace to be the outcome. While we are praying for peace in The Ukraine, we pray for peace in all of our relationships. We are reminded that unresolved differences can become a division that grows and causes pain and separation. Forgive us for the times we do not seek peace in our families and with our friends and neighbours. We think of Jesus Your Son offering a peace that the world cannot give and we ask that we will recognize Jesus as the ultimate Source of peace. Please soften our hearts towards each person created in Your image. We pray that this will be a time of breaking down walls of indifference and misunderstanding. Enlighten our minds to recognize that when one part of the Church, the Body of Christ, suffers, that we all suffer. We lift up Christian believers in the Ukraine and ask You to preserve their faith and trust in You while they wait for these prayers for peace to be answered. What do You want us to learn God through yet another crisis in our world that causes us to turn to You as our only hope? W affirm that we believe You are all powerful and can shine Your light in the darkest of places. Please take the light of each of our prayers and shine the light of Your Presence that can bring love where there has been hate and peace where the has been war. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven now and always. In the Name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. AMEN.