Home Service 20/03/22
Our Home Service today strays into dark and difficult areas.
I’m guessing that none of us has the answer to fix this situation in the Ukraine. We must turn towards God for answers. Only he can help us at this moment on time.
Martin Luther King, Jr said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. “No one is free until all are free.” The ‘all’ that he mentions includes all of our neighbours – all of them.
Please read Luke 10:25-37 But our neighbour isn’t just the nice guy who is merciful and generous. As Christians we are directed by Jesus to “Love your enemies…
Please read Luke 6:27-36 That means we need to pray not only for those suffering but also for those who perpetrate these atrocities.
That should be our mission. Not only should we pray for those people in the path of the war, but those who are brave enough to risk their lives to resist the encroaching army. And as much as it may stick in our throat, we must pray for the Russian military and the leaders of the assault. In these passages Jesus tells us to pray and to hold everybody as someone needing love and encouragement.
Pray my friends!
Pray in a way you never have before. Pray with the passion and responsibility of the people who are being called to heal. Read the news, do not look away. Talk about the suffering we are seeing. Talk about it endlessly, bear witness to it. Name the pain. Name the suffering caused by unbridled aggression and unfettered greed for control. Name the evil that is taking place. Talk about the people whose homes and lives are crumbling around them. Imagine it is you, your life, your children. Embrace the sanctions and the ramifications those sanctions will have for us. Embrace them proudly and boldly.
· For those fleeing: pray for sanctuary
· For those who are staying: safety
· For those who are fighting: peace
· For those whose hearts are breaking: comfort
· For those who see no future: hope
Heavenly Father, today we want to pray for the people living in fear. Those who want to be free from the distress caused by the world’s turmoil we are in today. Even though we may not know them, Lord, You see the fear and anxiety. They may be fearful, tired, discouraged, and frustrated, but don’t let them give up. For we know that you are a faithful God who will give them the peace they seek today and bless them in many ways. Help all of us to stay strong in faith throughout these challenging days we live in, as the Holy Spirit continues to lead our way. In Jesus’ name, we pray Amen.
Blessing
May you pray your prayers this day, this night
May you see God’s light on the path ahead when the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear (even in your hour of sorrow) the gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness never turn your heart to stone,
May you always remember when the shadows fall – you do not walk alone.
Listen:
Peace Bethel Music ( We The Kingdom) www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW6xcmqfiY4
Lords Prayer in Ukrainian www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmB8jqgIFuc Lead kindly Light www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fNjEgbsNmI
