Prayers for Ukraine
Greetings church-
As you have watched the events of the past few days unfold, I believe your reaction is likely shared by many. I have heard from several people an expression of hopelessness, sorrow, and disgust in varying turns. The might of the Russian army, the plight of the Ukrainian people, and the ranting disconnect of a growing dictatorship rightly evoke those reactions in all of us.
As Christians, however, we also see an additional element. The majority of Ukrainian citizens identify as Orthodox; while this doesn't mean they necessarily follow Jesus, it does mean that there are a significant number of Christians in country, alongside numerous other missionaries. One can only imagine what it must be like to be studying at Kyiv Theological Seminary, preparing to go into ministry, only to be attacked by a totalitarian regime intent on restoring the former Soviet Union at the expense of peace, and the Ukrainian people. The spiritual significance and battle of these events cannot be understated.
The words of Psalm 3 have come to my mind in these recent days:
"O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.”
Of course, David was writing about the rebellion he faced from his own son, and how he had to hide away from it. As we will see in Psalm 55 this week, he felt very much that there was indeed no place to hide: no matter where he went, the trouble found him. In part, this is because the trouble was anxiety in his heart.
But then David writes this:
"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill."
David arrives at a distinct certainty: though he may find no place to hide in country, and anxious though he may be, God is his defender. God is with him, above him, a shield about his spirit, and most comforting: God hears those who pray.
I wish I could promise that the Ukrainian army could push back the massive army at the gate; you and I join together with all peoples throughout history that have witnessed such events as we yearn for peace. But we can be certain of this: God is near, hears our prayers for the citizens of the Ukraine, and will deal justly with her aggressors. And we can also be certain that the very same Spirit that comforts us will be near to those suffering even now.
Will you join with me in praying that God brings justice to the wicked? That He protects the innocent, and brings peace? And above all, let us join together and pray that He is a shield for the people of the Ukraine, and that even as war finds them, they find Him.
Lastly, speaking of the God that cares for people at locations around the globe, please do check out the following link to see some of the ways that Jesus has used Grace Fellowship to reach out in the past year: Hard-to-Reach Areas (samaritanspurse.org)
Church, you are a blessing! Now is the time for us to mobilize in prayer!
joshua rasdall
senior pastor | grace fellowship
Greetings church-
As you have watched the events of the past few days unfold, I believe your reaction is likely shared by many. I have heard from several people an expression of hopelessness, sorrow, and disgust in varying turns. The might of the Russian army, the plight of the Ukrainian people, and the ranting disconnect of a growing dictatorship rightly evoke those reactions in all of us.
As Christians, however, we also see an additional element. The majority of Ukrainian citizens identify as Orthodox; while this doesn't mean they necessarily follow Jesus, it does mean that there are a significant number of Christians in country, alongside numerous other missionaries. One can only imagine what it must be like to be studying at Kyiv Theological Seminary, preparing to go into ministry, only to be attacked by a totalitarian regime intent on restoring the former Soviet Union at the expense of peace, and the Ukrainian people. The spiritual significance and battle of these events cannot be understated.
The words of Psalm 3 have come to my mind in these recent days:
"O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.”
Of course, David was writing about the rebellion he faced from his own son, and how he had to hide away from it. As we will see in Psalm 55 this week, he felt very much that there was indeed no place to hide: no matter where he went, the trouble found him. In part, this is because the trouble was anxiety in his heart.
But then David writes this:
"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill."
David arrives at a distinct certainty: though he may find no place to hide in country, and anxious though he may be, God is his defender. God is with him, above him, a shield about his spirit, and most comforting: God hears those who pray.
I wish I could promise that the Ukrainian army could push back the massive army at the gate; you and I join together with all peoples throughout history that have witnessed such events as we yearn for peace. But we can be certain of this: God is near, hears our prayers for the citizens of the Ukraine, and will deal justly with her aggressors. And we can also be certain that the very same Spirit that comforts us will be near to those suffering even now.
Will you join with me in praying that God brings justice to the wicked? That He protects the innocent, and brings peace? And above all, let us join together and pray that He is a shield for the people of the Ukraine, and that even as war finds them, they find Him.
Lastly, speaking of the God that cares for people at locations around the globe, please do check out the following link to see some of the ways that Jesus has used Grace Fellowship to reach out in the past year: Hard-to-Reach Areas (samaritanspurse.org)
Church, you are a blessing! Now is the time for us to mobilize in prayer!
joshua rasdall
senior pastor | grace fellowship