Submitted by Pastor Donna Clark Fuller, Rock Port and Watson United Methodist Churches
“Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent, who plan evil things in their minds and stir up wars continually.” Psalm 140:1-2
In the last few weeks we have seen images of war as Russia has invaded Ukraine. Millions of people have become refugees seeking safety in other countries. Even as most of the men and many women in Ukraine have stayed behind to fight for their country, there are great costs to civilians, particularly children who are the victims of this war.
We did not expect this war. We have lived in a time when we hoped we were past the fear of warfare that could involve nuclear weapons. Even as we saw the buildup of troops we hoped that it would not happen. But here we are. As citizens of the world we must pay attention and see those images even if it is hard to look at them. We must think and ask the difficult question, how can we promote peace and freedom among the peoples and nations of the world when those things are threatened by an attack from a nation with such terrible weapons?
What do we as Christians do in such times? We have a clear commandment from Jesus Christ to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to love even our enemies. How do we do those things which are difficult in the best of times, in these terrible times? How do we persuade those who are attacking their neighbors that they should love them instead?
Prayer to God is always the best place to start. Prayers for deliverance from wars and those who start them has been happening for a long time. But maybe our prayers need to be more than just, “Please, God, take care of this.” Maybe our prayers need to include some words of, “Please, God, tell me what I can do in this time and place, to help stop the suffering.” Maybe our prayers need to turn to action from the wisdom and guidance of God. And maybe we need to model loving our neighbors and see that as the real strength and the right kind of leadership needed in our world.
