The comparison of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to watching Christians in Ukraine singing hymns, finding shelter for their neighbors, and continuing to praise God, is not lost on me.
Knowing they are refugees in their own country now, yet “this is our temporary home; our permanent home is with the Lord,” humbles me, greatly.
Daniel 3 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Always has been. And the worship song, “Another in the Fire” by Hillsong United runs through my mind as I am crying and lamenting to God, for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
There but by the grace of God go you and I. As we sit in the comfort of our homes. Not fearing missiles, bullets, tanks or nuclear weapons being aimed at us. There but by the grace of God go you and I.
And I am angry. I am so angry. Downright pissed off that anyone would have the audacity to praise Vladimir Putin for anything. That anyone would blame the people of Ukraine for this act of evil being hurled at them baffles me.
And yet just yesterday, I watched a pastor remind me to pray for mercy for Vladimir Putin. Because Jesus, even though He must be looking down with anger over the senseless murders; does not want anyone to face Hell.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” - Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
I know world peace is not likely. Doesn’t mean I won’t beg God for it. Like most of us, Terry and I have become almost obsessed with the news, and what is happening in Ukraine. The possibility of World War III was once unimaginable in my lifetime. Yet here we are.
I also know our prayers are mighty. I know an army of prayer warriors circling in prayer is like the Lord telling Joshua to have his men marching around Jericho for six days. (You can find this in Joshua 6).
It feels helpless to sit at home in fuzzy socks and flannel pajamas. It feels helpless to put on my running shoes, running pants, sports bra and tank top. It feels helpless to stand in front of the mirror and brush my teeth. But none of those things make me feel hopeless.
Because we serve the God who delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace. We serve the God who used a prostitute named Rahab to house spies from the Israelites when the battle of Jericho was unfolding. We serve the God who raised His Son from the dead, three days later. So I know that your prayers and my prayers are not falling on God’s deaf ears. I know our prayers are not a hopeless effort, but rather a battle cry for Ukraine.
Praying for world peace might seem far fetched, but I won’t stop begging God for it. Our prayers are a battle cry. May we lose our voices, and may our knees get so worn out from our cries, and our prayers for mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
For they will be called children of God.