A prayer for Russia

To be completely honest, when I first heard about the crisis in Ukraine, and the invading Russian forces, I brushed it off, thinking “I have too much on my plate right now, I don’t have the mental or emotional energy to care about yet another heavy global topic.” I figured that since I’m already overseas, throwing myself after God, I get a free pass for staying informed and caring about global crises.

The Lord, in His gentle way, quickly rebuked me, showing me that if I care about Him, I need to care about His world. Proverbs 1:32 says, “The simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them.” As a joke, I quoted this verse to a friend during a workout this week, challenging them to add some weight to their bar. Later, though, God used this verse to convict me. I do not get the luxury of complacency. When I picked up my cross to follow Jesus, I picked up the added weight of caring for the nations. 1st Corinthians 13:7 says that love bears all things, including global matters that feel physically far and emotionally heavy.

What does it mean to bear all things though? I don’t want to be complacent in global matters, but I often feel powerless when it comes to world affairs. After all, I’m only one person, and I am incredibly limited in my human capacities. I often feel overwhelmed when I consider all the pain and brokenness in the world, and can quickly feel crushed and helpless when I stop to open my eyes to the injustice, oppression, inequality, and violence in the world. What can I do to actually help? Post something on my social media to show that I’m informed and that I “care”, and then move on with my day? Read an article to feel competent to contribute to a conversation on this topic?

While these things are not bad, and I’m in no way trying to belittle or discount them, I want to challenge you and me both to examine our heart motives. Do I care more about my image on social media as informed, just, compassionate, and involved, or do I genuinely care about the situation and the physical, real-life people involved?

While social media may be one way to increase awareness and promote truth, I’m not convinced that this is the only or best way to stay involved in global affairs. Through this school, I am realizing for the first time the power my prayers hold. I have been given authority from God Himself in the Holy Spirit. I may not have access to Vladimir Putin, but I have a direct line of communication with the King of the world, who has the power and ability to change the course of history. I want to direct my restlessness over global affairs to my knees in prayer, where I capture the attention of the ultimate Authority.

At my school here, we spend the first hour of every day together worshiping God through prayer and song, interceding for the nations, and this past week we spent 1-2 hours every day in prayer for Ukraine and Russia. My heart came alive when I spent time looking not only at news articles that outlined the current events, but looking at the King who is still on His throne, and who is still worthy of the worship of all nations–Ukraine and Russia too. As I asked for His eyes and His heart for this crisis, tears came to my eyes as I began to see the situation from His perspective; I realized His heart hurts more deeply over injustice and oppression than mine ever could.

At first, my natural human heart quickly sided on behalf of the oppressed,

and I felt angry and defensive for Ukraine. My human sense of justice was quick to condemn and judge Russia as a whole, but my Father’s heart is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and I want His heart for this situation, not my own (Exodus 34:6-7). Proverbs 29:13 says: “The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.” God is the King and Savior of the whole world, and both the oppressed and the oppressor will one day stand shoulder to shoulder before His judgment throne. Both need His forgiveness and grace. And so, while I in no way want to forget Ukraine in my prayers, I want you to join with me in praying for Russia as well.

Father,

You are King of the whole world. You are aware of every detail of the world’s events, and You care deeply for every person involved. Forgive me for my flawed human sense of justice that I am using as the standard to judge entire nations. Forgive me for my own ignorance and complacency in global affairs. Please continue disrupting my heart and thoughts for the injustice and oppression in the world, and may I trust that You are in control and You are still a good God in the midst of the evil in the world.

I pray for your hand of protection over Ukraine. I pray for safety and peace. I pray for an overwhelming sense of your presence in this war-torn country. I pray for miracles–for bullets to disappear, for technology to malfunction, for weather to destroy plans, for hearts to change. I pray for encounters with you.

I pray for Vladimir Putin, Father. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord, He turns it wherever He will,” and so I pray that You would change Putin’s heart. Replace his desire for power with mercy and compassion. May he be like the Assyrian kings in the Old Testament, who, though they did not believe in You, were used as a tool for You. Imagine the influence and revival he could bring to Russia, and even the whole world, if he did know You! I pray that You would encounter him in dreams or visions, that You would bring someone to boldly share the gospel with him. May I meet him in heaven one day, and may I be able to say with a clear conscience that I prayed for him to be there.

I pray that You would use this time where Russia sits front and center on the world stage for Your glory. I pray that You would bring spiritual revival to Russia while they have the world’s attention. May You encounter Russia so dramatically that the whole world sees and knows Your power and goodness.

Thank You for giving me authority in my prayers. Please continue giving me strength, power, and motivation to combat the spiritual forces of evil that are at work right now (Ephesians 6:12). I know You hear me, and I know Your Holy Spirit gives me greater power and authority in my prayers than physical nearness to this situation could.

I love You, and I trust You.

Amen.