Today my heart is soft. My ears are open. And my life seems unpenetrated when I look around at this world. You know, I really had to repent to the Lord. It seems I've been lacking compassion and mercy for Ukraine because of circumstances that caused my heart to harden in some places for a season.
I must have been looking down. Down at my miserable self. Down at my discontent self. Down at self-pity. Down at everything I do not have. How long was I looking down Jesus? I must look up now.
Jesus, I repent for not caring as I should. I love the nations, yet I let something disrupt who I really am. My heart aches for all the destruction happening so far away. Help me to look up and find hope and faith in the God who is present in this war. You are present and help me to be present as I turn from my thoughts, my carelessness and the state of my heart. I turn to Jesus to make me what He would be if He stood where I stand- for this broken and hurting world. Lord, I partner with you to restore and repair the world. Save Ukraine and soften the hearts of Russia.
My dear Ukrainians and Russians,
I pray for unity. For peace. For the living God to be near. Fear would leave your sight and mind. That you would trust your life and death unto Jesus. He died to give you life whether it be life on earth or after, Jesus will be faithful to you. The life you face today is something I have never experienced, but there is a world of people on your side. People who you've never seen, touched or encountered. And they pray for you. It seems that this world does a horrendous job of repeating itself, and I'm sorry it has. I feel like we just recovered from the last war, yet there is violence plaguing your city. I have never encountered you but I love you- with a love from God alone. Stand tall, Russians who don't take part in what is happening to Ukraine. Stand tall Ukrainians, and love your oppressors well. They know not what they do... Have faith that the Lord will bring justice and your entire being is in his hands. I pray for love, not hate. Unity not separation. Kindness not harassment. The Kingdom of God reigns over that of this world. Jesus how long until we see you again? The world is hard to look at. Its hard to witness. My brothers and sisters are being killed, Heaven come to rectify all that has gone wrong.
My family... Russians and Ukrainians alike- here is a song that Jesus highlighted.
"Teach us, oh Lord, what it really means
To rend our hearts instead of outer things
Teach us, oh God, what we do not see
About our hearts and of our ways
And Father, deal with our carnal desires
To move in your power but not live the life
And to love our neighbor with all that we
have
And keep our tongue from saying things
we have not seen
Oh, break our hearts with the things that
break yours
If we sow in tears, we will reap in joy
That we might pass through your refining
fire
Where brokenness awaits on the other side
Where brokenness awaits on the other side
Raise up an army like Joel saw
Your church that is stronger than ever
before
They do not break ranks when they plunge
through defenses
But the fear of the Lord will be their wisdom
That they might weep as Jesus wept
A fountain of tears for the wounded and
lost
Who ever heard of an army of God
That conquered the earth by weeping and
mourning and brokenness?
But there will be a day when the nations will
bow
And our Lord will be King over all the earth
And he will be the only one
And also his name will be the only one"
~Break Our Hearts by Kevin Prosch
Your name will be the only one. My oppressed friends, find comfort and peace in the Lord. He does not fail.
All my best,
A voice of one crying out in the wilderness <3
To those who are physically distant from this war at hand, like me. May your hearts break at the sound of this war. Break for the hearts of the Russians who are capable of such things. Breaks for the lives at stake in Ukraine. Church, rise up and be like the stone wall from Nehemiah. Calling out for the spirit of wisdom to be our guide, not politics or news stations. Believe for all nations to submit to the will of God and weep, mourn, and be broken in the presence of God on behalf of the family of God... those at the table and those yet to come. May justice be done in the throne room. And look up to the place where selfishness dissipates and compassion comes. Your hope returns when you look up at the living God. Be kind, you never know how much an individual needs the kindness of God.
Your friend,
Chloe.
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