Thoughts for the Day
Thursday, 9th February 2023: Wait patiently and trust
Prayer Patience Trust Psalm 37 God
Reading : Verses from Psalm 37
* Orthodox Church, Kiev, Ukraine
Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.......
But the wicked perish,
and the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)
Thoughts
Ukraine is a Christian country, indeed it is the foremost Christian country in Europe. Of the country's 43 million citizens (as of 2021), 78% are members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, with about another 10% who are Roman Catholics, and some 2% are Evangelical Christians. There are many differences as to how most other Christian denominations worship and order their churches, and not least in the way that Orthodoxy seeks only to describe what God is not, rather than what He is, but ultimately we all worship One God.
On 24th February it will be one year since Russia invaded Ukraine! So why isn't every Christian in our country praying fervently for them daily? Why aren't we seeking to do more to help them?
Psalm 37 says we are to trust in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, then the wicked will 'perish' and 'vanish - like smoke'. It doesn't say we should refrain from acting while waiting patiently - through constant prayer, raising money for Ukraine, or accepting refugees into our country. We may not be able to do the last two, but while waiting we can all make cries of supplication to God for them. We can also have trust that if we ask God, He will act!
Prayer
Prayer for Ukraine by the Archbishop of York:
God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
You might like to use these prayers for Ukraine:
1.
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen. (Cafod)
2.
Holy and Gracious God
We pray for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders.
We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear.
We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness.
We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace.
We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ.
Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine.
And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son.
Amen. (Methodist)
3.
A prayer for the one year anniversary of the war in Ukraine (24 February 2023)
Almighty and Great God, accept our gratitude for your boundless mercy towards us. Hear the supplication of our afflicted hearts for the land and people of Ukraine, as they confront foreign aggression and invasion. Open the eyes of those who have been overtaken by a spirit of deception and violence, that they be horrified by their works. Grant victory over the powers of evil that have arisen and bless Ukraine with your gifts of liberty, peace, tranquility, and good fortune.
We implore you, O Merciful God, look with grace upon those who courageously defend their land. Remember the mothers and fathers, the innocent children, widows and orphans, the disabled and helpless, those seeking shelter and refuge, who reach out to you and to their fellow human beings looking for mercy and compassion. Bless the hearts of those who have already shown great generosity and solidarity, and those who prepare to receive their Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Ukraine’s greatest time of need. Bring us together as your children, your creation, and instill in us your strength, wisdom and understanding. May you be praised and glorified, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. (Christian Aid)