Russia vs Ukraine! The battle rages and many folks are fighting for their lives, freedom and country. I have a couple thoughts. First, foremost pray for this unrest and war. Pray for the Ukrainian people. They are congregating in church basements, subway tunnels and bomb shelters. Many, many churches are becoming refugee stations providing food, shelter and clothing as well as presenting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray:
This Prayer for peace:
Almighty God we pray for the situation on the border of Ukraine. We pray for those who live in fear, that you may grant them peace. We pray that the voices for discernment and peaceful solutions may prosper Lord, we ask that you raise up peacemakers on all sides, that war and violence might be averted Give diplomats wisdom, understanding and build trust. We ask for the church in the nations involved, may they be salt and light in a dark situation. Lord we lift this dangerous situation to you. We pray for you love and peace to abound and your will be done. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Also, there is a Christian organization that is sending relief funds for the refugees and even those cornered in the Ukraine. You can find out more about then and what they are doing at www.ides.org. I know them and can vouch for their legitimate efforts.
Another thought: maybe just maybe this is God’s way of moving forward on His plan to return all Jews to their homeland. There are over 100,000 Ukrainian Jews. As I write, Israel is receiving over 10,000 refugees to their homeland, streamlining the Visa process. To a Jew this is called, Aliyah – “the act of going up” (towards the Holy city of Jerusalem), moving to the land of Israel. “making Aliyah” is one of the most basic tenets of Zionism. In 2020 alone over 21,000 made Aliyah. In 2021 – 27,050.
Now I don’t know this for sure and God hasn’t given me a vision but it’s just me wondering if this is God moving His chosen people back to their homeland. Jeremiah 42:12 states, “and I will shew mercies unto you that he may have mercy upon you and cause you to return to your own land.” I know this was God’s prophetic voice to Jeremiah concerning the children of Israel’s return from Babylon. However, could it have a double meaning telling us that we have entered into the birth pains of the last days meaning that God would be calling His people, the Jews, back to their homeland. I am just wondering out loud.
Today, Jews from all over the world are returning to their homeland where cities that were destroyed by their enemies are now being rebuilt where the soil is bursting with fruit, trees and flowers. Ezekiel 36:24, “for I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land’. Is this happening now? Is this a part of God’s end time actions moving us ever closer to the final end times? I’m just wondering out loud.
God is in control. God is still on the throne. Plus, God is still in charge of nations falling and nations raising. History, all of it, is in God’s control and working according to His plan.
Our job? Show people the love of Jesus and warn them of things yet to come. If you have noticed the world will move more and more to ungodliness and vanity. God’s Word says it will not get better (I Timothy 4:1-3) Let us be people showing forth the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and help all we can through both physically and financially. Those refugees will be finding food, clothing, shelter in the name of Jesus by Jesus followers. May they respond to this love that is being shown to them. How many conversions will be attributed to shelters, bunkers, tunnels and basements of churches?
I am praying for peace in the midst of war. I am praying for conversions in the midst of suffering. I am praying for the Ukrainian people especially those who are fighting for their lives and those who have to be separated from their families.
I am praying Psalm 46: 1-2, “God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in time of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea”.
I am praying for you and your family and Ukraine,
Leonard Navarre
Lubbock, TX