As I sit to write this blog, my thoughts can’t seem to focus on anything but what is going on in the world right now.

On the heels of a global pandemic that attacked millions worldwide, there is yet another attack on innocent lives, again with global consequences.

Today, (March 2) I am reading reports that:

Russia has ramped up assaults on key Ukrainian cities.
President Zelensky pleads for more international assistance
A second round of talks between Ukraine and Russia are set to take place.
According to the UN more than 800,000 refugees have fled Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
The UN also reported at least 136 Ukraine civilian deaths but cautioned the toll is likely "much higher."

Perhaps you like me are asking WHY?

Why is this happening? And WHAT can we do?

You can do a quick google search to understand the politics behind the why. And in our helplessness, what can we do? We can do the most powerful thing we can.

We can PRAY.

When one part of the Body of Christ is hurt, the whole body suffers with it.

So we pray. We pray for the people and democratically elected government of Ukraine.

As the world aches under the weight of violence, instability, and threats to global order.

So we pray. We pray for world leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom and courage in pursuing peace and human flourishing.

As we pray you may wonder why? Why bother praying when it doesn’t seem to be working?

Let me tell you why we pray. We pray because prayers can invoke the powers of heaven to intervene in the affairs of nations, but prayer can also rid us of the malice and envy that cuts through the heart of every human being.

How will prayers be answered?

Perhaps by God opening the hearts and moving our thoughts to ways of peace and reconciliation.
Perhaps by awakening in us an intense compassion for the victims of war.

It may well be that prayer, and the power it invokes, may be the only thing that can rid the world of war and division.

So we pray.

We pray for peace and as we do, let us remember that:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way. (Psalm 46:1-2)

In prayer we place our violent world back into the hands of its Creator, echoing the Psalmist who promised:

The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter…
The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46:6-7)

So we pray.