One of the best privileges of Christianity is that we show compassion and love for one another by praying for those who have needs, for the church which is Christ’s body and the implementer of His teachings, and for God’s will to be done on earth.
There is no shortage of prayer needs right now. It seems there is always a lead thought when we rise in the morning and when we lie down at night. Our minds embrace topics that are magnified in the day’s agenda. Today, it is the war in Ukraine.
The courage being shown by the Ukrainian people inspires us. The dangers they face disgust our sense of right and wrong when we see horrific scenes of upheaval, evil, and disregard for life. The need for a peaceful solution rivets our attention in interventions and the need for a miracle as people lie huddled in basements without the very necessities of life.
The service of volunteers, governments, and organizations inspires us. There are the helpers that Mr. Rogers’ mother always encouraged us to watch in times of stress and difficulty. Those are the arms and hands that matter. The helpers answer the call, at their own risk, to assist those in the deepest trouble we can imagine.
But once our minds have dealt with the tragedies of the world, we remember the individuals in our lives’ journeys who ask for prayer. Usually, these are health concerns. Today’s list for me includes Barbara, Julie, Timothy, my husband, my hip pain, and five recent widows who grieve: Gina, Anne, Joyce, Dee, and those who sorely miss their husbands, Linda and Rachelle. Then, there’s Jo Ann, a missionary friend in Romania who is aiding fellow missionaries who have fled the battles, and prayer for young adult orphans they’re assisting. That leads to prayer for the refugees, those huddled in the steel plant in Mariupol who are slowly starving and have not seen the light of day for six weeks.
Then, I pray for the President and his staff who, although I feel are causing more problems than they are solving, that need God’s guidance. Mostly i pray for their heart attitudes and for the spiritual guidance which can only come with the Holy Spirit’s intervention.
Praying for others is one of the things Jesus taught. We know He prayed for others’ health and safety. We know He prayed for guidance in making decisions. He prayed for Jerusalem, and He taught us all to pray the Lord’s Prayer which covers an array of things from God’s glory, His provision, His care for our well-being, and the Kingdom to come. And, in Ephesians 1:16-17 He guided Paul to write: “I haven not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” Assuming we all need such prayer, I pray this for my family, my friends, my church brothers and sisters, and for our world this day. Amen.
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