We join you in this urgent prayer for peace and for mercy over the nations, and we agree with you in asking our Father to restrain the flames of war. Our hearts are heavy with you as we see the threats of escalation and the talk of nuclear weapons, and we bring this fear directly to the throne of grace.
Scripture tells us this would be so, yet it also tells us not to be overcome by fear. Jesus said, You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom Matthew 24:6-7. And again He says, Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful John 14:27. We are reminded that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble Psalm 46:1, and that God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7.
We also hear your heart for preparation and for waking up those who are asleep to the signs around us. This is biblical. We are told to watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes Matthew 24:42, and Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you Ephesians 5:14. Now is the time to be sober and watchful, for it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now is salvation nearer than when we first believed Romans 13:11. Part of getting prepared is first and foremost spiritual preparation, making sure we and our loved ones are truly in Christ, abiding in Him, repenting of sin, living holy lives, sharing the gospel while there is time, and redeeming the time, because the days are evil Ephesians 5:16. If any of us lacks wisdom about how to prepare practically and steward our time and resources well, we can ask God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him James 1:5. We can be good stewards of what He has entrusted to us without giving in to panic, for we know that perfect love casts out fear and that our times are in His hands.
We also lift up our farmers and the food supply with you, for every good gift comes from our Father. He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth Psalm 104:14. We ask Him to protect those who till the ground and to preserve the harvests upon which so many depend.
Let us pray together.
Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son we come before You and we ask You to have mercy. Lord, You make wars to cease to the end of the earth Psalm 46:9, and we ask You to calm the flames of war even now. Restrain the hands of leaders who are considering evil and the use of terrible weapons. We pray for de-escalation among the nations, for wisdom and restraint to prevail, and for disputes to be settled without further bloodshed. We pray as You have commanded us to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Protect, Father, the innocent, the soldiers, the children, and all who are caught in conflict. Protect the world from nuclear war, for You alone are sovereign over life and death.
Father, protect our farmers and their crops and livestock, and protect the food supply for all the world. Send favorable weather, keep away blight and destruction, and provide for Your people day by day. Give us our daily bread and help us to trust You as our provider.
Help us not to fear, Lord, but to trust You with perfect peace as our minds are stayed on You Isaiah 26:3. Help us not to waste time, but to use our time and resources for Your glory, to get prepared spiritually first, to be washed in the blood of Jesus, to be ready for His return, and to be faithful stewards of all You have given us. Wake up Your church, Father, wake up those who are sleeping and not paying attention to the signs. Stir our pastors and congregations to preach Your word boldly, to call people to repentance, and to watch and be ready. Let us be peacemakers who are called children of God Matthew 5:9, sharing the hope of the gospel while there is still time.
We thank You that we can cast all our worries on You because You care for us 1 Peter 5:7, and that when we are anxious we can make our requests known to You, and Your peace which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7. We trust this matter into Your hands and ask all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, our only hope and our peace. Amen.