Mark 14:32  – Jesus and his disciples came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, “Sit here while I pray.”

Gratitude Day 718

Sometimes, it is nearly impossible to wrap our heads around what happens in this world.

Like, an invasion.

I’m not going to try and dissect the why’s and how’s around this. It’s way above my pay grade. What I do know is that it makes this person’s heart very heavy and sad.

When these kinds of things happen, it is normal to ask, “Where in the world is God?” I do believe that God is present, even when God feels and looks very absent. We just may have to look for God in very different ways than we would like. We will see God … if we strain.

For those of us who feel very unsure of what we can do, we can pray. Pray because the folks in Ukraine need to feel the prayers of those around the world. Pray that the appropriate people’s hearts will be soften. Pray for quick resolution and minimal death. Pray that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will become the focus rather than something else.

So, how do we pray when words escape us? Or we’re not sure exactly what to pray? I’m sharing seven different thoughts about prayer today that I hope we will embrace this next week. I’ve chosen seven because there are seven days in a week. Can we join together and a prayer each day of this next week? Or a prayer a day until this awful situation ends? Prayer is not the last thing we should do. It should be first on the list. I invite us to pray together these upcoming days.

Prayer 1:

On the last night of his life, Jesus took the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. His words show how human he was as he requested the difficult cup before him be removed. But only if this was God’s will. Jesus’ words give us permission to ask for difficult things as well. Let us pray Jesus’ words today:

“Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” Amen.

Prayer 2:

What do we pray when we aren’t sure what words to say? Or words fail us? As Paul assures us in Romans 8:26-27, not to fret when words escape us. The Holy Spirit knows exactly what to say in prayer and prays on our behalf. Thanks be to God. We pray these words from Romans:

In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans.  The one who searches hearts knows how the Spirit thinks, because he pleads for the saints, consistent with God’s will. 

Prayer 3:

While sharing with a large group of people on a hillside, Jesus shared with them a way to pray. Today, we pray these same words, the prayer we know as the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Prayer 4:

These words from Isaiah 41:10:

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Amen.

Prayer 5:

The Psalmist’s words that we find in Psalm 46:1-3:

God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart, when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea, when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Amen.

Prayer 6:

This prayer Ann Voskamp shared in the last couple of days:

Lord, hear our cry:

Comfort children who cry terrified, give courage to mothers who gather to calm, strengthen leaders who stand steady to find a way to peace.

For those who need to flee – may they find our arms a safe haven.

For those who are hungry – may they find our open hands offering bread for today and living bread for all eternity.

For all the limping, weary and wounded – may they find us holding on to each other, because when we live like we belong to each other – we answer so much of the long … even our own.

And for all those who despair, both near and far – may they find our hands and feet today to be those of King Jesus, we who get to be His very body of peace in a hurting world today. Amen.

Prayer 7:

These words of Mother Teresa:

The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace.

The opportunity to pray for those who desperately need prayer today and this week, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Lord God – You know the needs of people who are in danger more than we do. May you be present. May the prayers of many bring them peace. Amen.

If this post touched you, I invite you to share it.