I woke early today, and immediately began to pray about the dreadful situation in Ukraine and Russia. Within a few minutes, these verses started to flow, and I had to “break off” from praying in order to write them down.
As I wrote, I began to realise that perhaps I wasn’t really “breaking off” at all, because the act of struggling to put what I saw into words was simply a continuation of my prayer. I’ve seen this intellectually for a long time, but today I saw and felt its truth – for a short while, at least.
This is the fastest I have ever written a prayer, then published it immediately, but I have been driven to do so today, so it’s not as polished as usual. Please forgive my shortcomings: I will continue to develop this piece during the day.
You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.
(Matthew 24:6; NLT).
If only you had paid attention to my commandments! Your peace would have been like a river, and your justice would have been like the waves of the sea.
(Isaiah 48:18; CPDV).
1. Keep praying for peace,
And never give up –
Though all looks hopeless,
Never give up.
2. Keep pleading for justice,
And never give in –
Though it seems useless,
Never give in.
3. Keep begging for truth,
And never give way –
Though it seems futile,
Never give way.
4. Lord, You have plans
That we can’t understand –
Thy Kingdom come,
And thy will be done.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
(Matthew 6:10; NLT).
Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace.
(Zechariah 8:17; NKJV).
References
Verses 1-3: Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up (Luke 18:1; NLT).
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for (Matthew 7:7; NLT).
The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. Therefore justice is far from us, nor does righteousness overtake us; we look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness! (Isaiah 59:8-9; NKJV).
I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! (Habakkuk 3:16-19; NLT).
Verse 4: “I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:11-13; NLT).
God is greater than we can understand (Job 36:26; NLT).
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things (Ecclesiastes 11:5; NLT).
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NIV).
Don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith? (Luke 18:7-8; NLT).
