DEAR FRIENDS,
The situation in Ukraine no doubt immediately stirs deep emotions. This polarizing event has affected me in many ways that I had not previously considered. No doubt, like me, many of you woke up Thursday to the news of the Russian attack on Ukraine and felt a wave of compassion for the people of Ukraine.
I found myself thinking of the people there throughout the day. I also thought a lot of my Aunt and Uncle who are missionaries in Russia with their five children and the difficult situation they may find themselves in as American citizens in Russia. The largest question that loomed in my mind was how should we as believers respond to moments like this in our lives?
First, pray for the protection of our Christian brothers and sisters there in Ukraine and the surrounding areas. Like the situation in Afghanistan, the attack on Ukraine brings great uncertainty for the religious community of Ukraine. Unlike the freedom of religion that was present in Ukraine, Russia has a very strict policy towards those, particularly of the Christian faith. Pray for our brothers and sister that they will have safety during the attack on their country. Many of them are facing incredibly difficult times and are greatly in need of our prayers for them (Eph. 6:18).
Second, pray for wisdom for all the leaders involved. It can be an easy temptation to be filled with criticism towards all political leaders at this moment, but we are often reminded in Scripture of our call to pray diligently for those in leadership. I Tim. 2:1-2 reminds us that we should offer “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority.” Paul notes that we as believers have a responsibility to ask for wisdom for all leaders from God. Perhaps, instead of firing off that string of political criticism, we first take time on our knees to ask for God to grant wisdom and discernment for all the leaders involved in this awful situation.
Third, with the conflict in Ukraine, thousands of refugees are fleeing Ukraine and undoubtedly, many of them will be on their way here to the United States. Already, many people are viewing this as purely a political situation with many angry at the prospect of adding more refugees to our country. As a believer, we should seek to lay aside such petty views, recognizing the great need of these people, both physically and spiritually. Perhaps, you can consider a way to be involved with helping many of these displaced people. One way all of us can be involved is by praying that these people would find the hope of the Gospel during this trying time.
The greatest response that we should have as believers to the situation in Ukraine should not our online political hot-takes and Facebook rants, but our prayer for our fellow believers, our political leaders, and the broken, hurting refugees.
Sincerely,
Pastor Derek Whitman