Tag: war

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Wisdom Prayer

A Calm and Quiet Soul?

A Calm and Quiet Soul?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who have calmed and quieted their soul. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Imagine having your world turned upside down. Until a few weeks ago, people in Ukraine were going about their daily routines. Life changed. War broke out. Overnight, some left the country. Others became soldiers. Mothers huddled in subways with their children. People died. The war continues.

In Psalm 131:1-3 (ESV) we learn the psalmist had calmed and quieted his soul.

“Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.”

I do not know if people in war zones can be like the psalmist. Could anyone in these circumstances calm and quiet their soul?

In John 14:27 (ESV) Jesus is speaking. This may provide some comfort.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Pray for the people of Ukraine. Pray for peace. Pray that in the midst of a world turned topsy-turvey, those in crisis will hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

Whatever your circumstances, can you turn to God and say, “I have calmed and quieted my soul.” Pray.

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Wisdom Prayer

Speak of Peace?

Speak of Peace?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who speak of peace when others are for war. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today, sadly, around the world, there are armed conflicts where people are dying.

In Mark 13:7 (ESV) Jesus says, “And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.”

In Psalm 120:1-7 (ESV), the psalmist concludes his remarks by considering peace and war.

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!

Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!”

There are all kinds of war zones. Do you want peace but one other or others around you want war? If so, take time to pray about how to respond. May God bless and keep those who are affected by war. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Wisdom Prayer

Got Big Problems?

Got Big Problems?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say, “Whom shall I fear?” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ever felt outnumber? God is still on the throne and prayer changes things. God can deliver us. David wrote Psalm 27:1-3 (ESV) that he could be confident in the face of adversaries, a foreign army, and war.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.”

There is no match for God. Are your problems as big as those David described? Rest assured God is able to do far more than we ask or imagine. Got smaller problems?

Have confidence. Pray! 

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