There is malaise of madness which surrounds Mariupol and Severodenestk. The magnitude of pain and death being caused (in all its forms ... historical, cultural, relational, economic, psychological, physical), can paralyse us in knowing what to pray for.
This is not a time for fatigue or escapism... it is a time to pray strategically for our brothers and sisters who face these things.
Suggestion for prayer:
- a) For ourselves to learn and be fruitful in this
- b) For wider and specific issues for those in the battle.
- c) That in all things the gospel will multiply in the lives of people.
Psalm 138:1-2
"I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted."
a) Firstly for ourselves:
God has put us in this place at this time. We need to reflect on what he is teaching us and humbly come as an open book before him. Lord, help us learn from these days, to hear your word acutely and unreservedly, and may you use this season for us to become more like you. Lord may we love what you love and detest what you detest, and become more certified and confident in your leading over our lives.
God hears our deepest cries. With each new day of war, our hunger for the world to come under Christ (and his loving Lordship) increases. A new day will come without sorrow, pain, mourning or death. This daily destruction and illustration of what sin does to people (when we are unchecked and unhinged by our own pride) should make us weep about our own independence, waywardness and rebellion before God. The hard heartedness of those who continue to grow in brutality and inflict their hunger for hate on others, should prompt us to ask him to ask for his power and enabling to make us more pliable and teachable before him, Lord help us...soften our hearts, may you grow self control in our lives in order that your Spirit might minister grace and healing through us to others.
b) Secondly we pray for those in the middle of the conflict.
Romans 12:15-18
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[a] Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Comprehending what reality is like for those impacted moment by moment by persistent combat is very difficult. In every sense this is impossible to fully empathise with from a secure place where food, water, rest, safety and our loved ones are immediately to hand.
Starting with gratitude is a good foundation for our prayers and intercession...
Start by Praising God for the life and liberty we enjoy (by his grace not by our right) and asking him to help us use it well and not squander it. Praising God for unity between believers is also good, pray not only that this would be maintained in our lives but we would be instinctive and eager encourages of unity (Eph 4:3) . Treasure your new community family and privileges of fellowship. Many would do anything to have a normal Sunday or time of fellowship with their church family again (the old normal).
I have met not one person in the war who regrets not having watched more TV or tinkering with trivialities, War and death put life into perspective, and make the most of every minute of life lived. Earthly homes are transitory not permanent. Those you love, and those who need to hear of eternal salvation are top of most priority lists for those who flee and suffer. Pray for those around you who saunter through life without God and in complacency assume that it will always be like this.
Even for those Ukrainians who don't trust in Christ yet, there is an urgency to live for something greater than the mundane. Yes in chaos and catastrophic torment the mundane seems to be a relatively beautiful thing (a short break to drink tea and coffee with friends has become a beautiful oasis of escapist normality even near frontlines). However, the moment is soon interrupted as a shell whistles through the air, or a distant thud seems to have encroached nearer. In that wake up moment... activity counts more than comfort. In war, industry is instinctive. Lord wake us up to spiritual warfare also, and help us to walk instinctively by your command without complacency and laziness. Help us to be alert (1 Peter 5:8), and play our part as we face up to personal responsibility in the greatest battle. Lord, that hearts souls and lives might come and be anchored to the only one of eternal safety and refuge, and that he might work freely through us that they might also discover the one who brings all comfort.
Without being able to give specifics on this site, please pray for the following in faith...
- 1. That those who minister in the crucible of the battle, know his supernatural enabling to minister to those in deep distress.
- 2. That those who run hubs of relief to the churches know his extraordinary provision in the overewhelming needs.
- For Food, bed space and safety in travel for those displaced/ being retrieved.
- For stamina to compassionately counsel the unending stream of broken hearts.
- For wisdom in stewardship of resources and counselling individuals / families about the next stages.
- For sustained unity as hubs work together to provide fellowship for traveling believers, and gospel witness to those asking big questions.
- 3. For the army of workers who cook, run children's clubs, prepare clothes and work with governmental departments.
- That in times of intense busyness their capacity for people and compassionate care continues to treasure each individual in the name of Christ.
- That their own personal needs would be met to release them for long hours of ministry at this critical time.
- 4. For the strategic advance of the gospel in Western Ukraine. Many areas continue to home multiplied populations as families seek a middle ground (between migrating Ukraine and maintaining contact with male family just inside the border.) In this instance believers have provided the network most helpful to many. Pray that contact and deep relationship borne in adversity will result in softened hearts to receive Christ, May this act intended for evil be used / instrumental for the eternal saving of many as they engage with Christ through his people.
- 5. Pray for many who have come to faith in the West and been baptised.
- Discipleship: May they continue to grow in the faith with deep roots in God's word and be helped by healthy models of discipleship (life on life) help.
- Displacement: May they find helpful fellowship (a vital local gospel church) as they move on or return to areas less contested,
- Gift growth: As they use all they have for their saviour, and serve with local believers may they grow in the new community, discovering spiritual gifts which help his people and minister his grace. Pray that there will be some solidity in this trajectory even when many other circumstantial things remain volatile.
- 6. Pray for those returning to areas where contested battle areas have left devastation and destruction. With sporadic air raids continuing, pray for their safety, mental wellbeing and spiritual perspective as they minister grace to others. The numbers of those returning continue to increase in some areas, pray therefore also for those in hubs who are encouraging and equipping the church to return in the power of Christ for new beginnings,
- 7. Pray for key leaders who are displaced both in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. They said of Billy Bray the Cornish preacher, that if you tried to shut him up and tied him up inside a beer barrel, he would should hallelujah to Christ and preach through the bunghole. This intentionality to share the gospel is what I've seen with many friends.
- Pray for the displaced evangelists both throughout Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. May they reap rich fruit with displaced ex pats and with locals in new mission fields. Pray for those who have set up stalls, (baking, coffee, tea, aid, book giveaways etc), in order to minister to the displaced and share with them the answer to their greatest need.
- 8 Pray for all of us who continue to work in neighbouring countries. May aid be well administered, provision be maintained, new churches planted locally, women and children sheltered from harm, those with disabilities able to live a rich life and grow in their faith.
- 9. Pray for those pastors who have nowhere to lay their head, and continue a rolling brief each day. New every morning are his mercies... the faithfulness of God takes on a new dimension when your home is no more, and your ministry goes between several groups of displaced believers. Pray that our hubs will continue to provide some anchor of stability, and that those in constant change will know the unchangeable nature of God guarding and keeping, shining his face upon them.
- 10. Pray for those persecuted in occupied territories. There is only one thing more hated than a Ukrainian by Russian authorities, one who furthers the new (non orthodox) community of grace in Christ. May their daily needs be supernaturally provided, may their capacity for insult be that of Christ himself. May the Spirit guard and keep, and even now may they know his supernatural fullness in their circumstances of emptiness. May strength be given in interrogation, grace be multiplied when betrayed, love boundless to their enemies and peace be given to those in mental torment and prolonged distress.
May Christ shine brightly through his people in the darkest of times.
May the migration of many by used for the multiplication in mission, and ultimate fruitfulness of the global mission of God.
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