The Word:
“… In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 ESV
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4 ESV
We live in a time of unprecedented danger from biological and nuclear weapons. Recently the world witnessed a Russian attack on a nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
“For the first time in history, a nation at war attacked a nuclear power plant Friday with potentially catastrophic effect. Russia launched a missile barrage in the middle of the night, setting off explosions and fires, and raining down bullets so Ukrainian firefighters couldn’t battle the fire. They did eventually get it under control and the most vulnerable targets survived, but nuclear control experts were flabbergasted and furious; a meltdown could have killed tens of thousands. Director Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency called on European nations to create a no-fly zone for the Ukrainian reactors, and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said, “It is a question of the security of the whole world!” (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant via AP)
Now we hear of possible dangerous biological agents stored in research labs in Ukraine. We hear different views (and conspiracy theories) of why Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. Intercessors have a responsibility to pray for fellow believers in Russia and Ukraine. We cannot trust the news media – we need discernment. We live in a world influenced by the Father of lies. We all live in enemy territory whether we are in a hot war zone or not. In reality, our enemies are spiritual. God has given us prayer and the proclamation of the gospel as weapons against evil ideologies.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer died a martyr at the hands of Adolf Hitler during the closing days of World War 2. He was an example of a man who stayed faithful to Jesus to the end. God is calling each of us to embrace the Kingdom of God over nationalism or globalism. Patriotism can be a good thing, but our ultimate allegiance must be to King, Jesus.
“Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. ‘The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing who would ever have been spared.’ (Luther) (1)
Watch And Pray:
Father, Jesus said that in this world, we have tribulation. While fear is gripping people, you have called your children to be peacemakers in our spheres of influence. Help us discern the times in which we live. Help Your children to overcome this present evil age. And to be a people of prayer and to become watchman on the walls. Guide our prayers by The Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
(1) Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community
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