I don't usually take on political subjects, and I hope not to cross too far over that border today, but sitting by without speaking up is not helpful either. Our prayers for the people of Ukraine and Russia are paramount.
I have been praying for the situation, as I'm sure you have, while the world waits to see what will be the outcome. Maybe it will be sorted out, perhaps the war will escalate, or we will see World War III. Only God knows. But in the meantime, we must remember that our prayers hold power.
The other day, I caught myself praying from a position of fear asking the Lord not to involve my countries, keep the enemy at bay, and protect and help us. God was not pleased. Without realizing it, my prayer became selfish and self-protecting. Oh, I included a request for the people involved in the war, but fear meant my prayer was not God-honoring.
"Gail," He said, "I can answer those prayers, but you can pray bigger than that." So, I stopped to listen to the Spirit speak.
The first reminder I received was David's prayer in 2 Samuel 15:31. David prayed, "O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." Ahithophel's counsel was, according to 2 Samuel 16:23, "as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God." He was the principal counselor for David and Absalom and held great respect. In the story, Absalom is trying to take the kingdom from David. And when David realizes that Ahithophel is on Absalom's side, David knows only God can hinder the counsel of Ahithophel. We can pray something similar. "Lord, turn the counsel of the enemy to foolishness."
In 2 Kings 7:3-20, we have the story of the four lepers who discovered the Syrian army had fled in the night. After besieging Israel to the point of starvation, verses six and seven say, "For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us...wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight." So, we can pray, "Lord, cause confusion to the enemy to confound their way."
And in 1 Samuel 7:8, the Philistines are again gathering to fight against Israel, and Samuel tells the people, "Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines." So, we should not stop praying for God to deliver all of us from the hand of the enemy. There is a loss of life on both sides of the battle, and it is our job to hold them all up in prayer.
"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord" (Proverbs 21:30). He knows what is happening. And "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will" (Proverbs 21:1). God can change everything around according to His will.
He is not intimidated or restricted by the efforts of the enemy. We then, needn't cower in our closets but "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Today is a time of need!
Here are a few more ways to pray.
"Lord, show yourself mighty to deliver. May the world see a miracle of mercy that can only be attributed to Your Hand."
"Give, Lord, great grace and boldness to those at the front. Grant them courage and fortitude."
"Lord, open the door for the Gospel to have freedom in Ukraine and Russia and for hearts to respond."
So, while the war rages, we must pray with great boldness, in fearless faith, and storm the throne room of Heaven.
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