Praying for Ukraine - February 25
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12)
Prov. 8:1-21; Philemon 1-25; John 12:9-19
There is much turmoil in our world – in our neighborhoods, among our friends, across the globe amidst continued conflict in Ukraine. The psalms appointed for today – 140 and 142 in the morning and 141 and 143 in the afternoon – resonate so deeply with the wave of emotions swirling in my heart. The prayer of Psalm 140 calls out for deliverance from those who seek to hurt others. The psalmist asks that God guard her from those who have plotted and schemed. She cries out, “You are my God, give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.” There are verses asking that those committing injury be stopped by burning coals, deep pits to contain them, or evil itself to hunt down the violent. It ends with words of assurance, “I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.”
Psalm 142 is a companion to Psalm 140. The heading indicates that this was a prayer issued when someone was in a cave. He lifts his voice to the Lord, crying out. He complains to God, telling God the whole story until he is empty of words. He knows that traps are all around, and he is a nobody to those around him. There is no safe place. He cries out to the Lord, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” He is afraid and in peril. As the psalm ends, he asks that God save him from those who seek him. He asks that God bring him out of prison, so that he can praise the name of the Lord, who is faithful. He believes that God will deal bountifully with him.
I imagine Ukrainian men, women, and children praying these psalms. I hear their voices lifted fervently to God. They want the Lord to answer quickly, for their lives are in peril. They have fled their homes and pray for God to preserve their lives – and the integrity of their country.
Maybe you are like me: I do not know anyone personally in Ukraine. And yet, I believe that God, the Creator and Sustainer of the world, loves every single person. When we wage war upon one another, it grieves the heart of Jesus. I invite you to pray this prayer for the tensions across the world, written by the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, who visited Saint Stephen’s earlier this month:
God of peace, your prophet Isaiah promised
swords would be turned into ploughshares,
and your son’s mother Mary proclaimed
the mighty would be put down and the humble exalted:
visit the people of Ukraine;
deliver them from fear, violence,
attack, injury, destruction, death;
and give them courage, solidarity and allies
in their hour of vulnerability and sorrow.
Turn the hearts of those bent on war and invasion.
Strengthen the hand of all seeking to halt conflict,
restore order, and pursue justice.
And make this moment of peril
an occasion for your Holy Spirit to show your world
the cost of conflict and our dependence on one another.
In Christ our Lord, who went to his death because of our hatred,
and rose again because our hatred
is never stronger than your indomitable love. Amen
written by the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, Vicar, St Martin-in-the-Fields
- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
What concerns and fears are stirred by learning about conflict around the world? What are you doing in response?
Daily Challenge
I invite you to pray each of the psalms today. Sit in a place where you can be still and focus. Say the psalms aloud, one at a time. Listen for where God is stirring you, comforting you, present with you.