Chrysostom
Beloved of All
You set before me a great list of lands and rulers, of armies and military targets, and you ask for protection and precision. But I say to you, first be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. For what is this preparation? It is a most virtuous life, a life ready to make way for the gospel. You speak of war and of earthly enemies, but the true war is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual hosts of wickedness. This conflict with the evil spirits is inevitable, yet the gospel is the gospel of peace, for by this war we end the war with God. Already the victory is won in Christ.
You pray for those in authority, and this is good, for we are commanded to offer petitions for all people, that we may lead a quiet life in godliness. Yet do not mistake the nature of that quietness. It is not the stillness of a city whose walls are manned by legions, but the calm of a heart governed by the Gospel of Righteousness. That Gospel makes righteous; it works in us not only the remission of sins, but true righteousness. And what follows? That God would give us a godly mind, that He may dwell in it. The veil is double: the eyes of understanding are shut unless the Gospel is unveiled. So pray not merely for the safety of rulers, but that they may come to the knowledge of the truth, that the word may take root and bear fruit.
You ask for protection of civilians and for precision strikes. But remember, the merchant crosses the sea to increase his wealth, and the artisan does all things to add to his substance. If they labor so for perishable things, how much more must we labor for the salvation of all? In this bitterest of wars, the soldier who looks only to how he may save himself by flight destroys the rest with himself. But he who stands in arms for his brothers preserves himself as well. Do not then be satisfied with your own salvation only, for in doing so you destroy even that. See the fallen all around, wallowing in blood, and there is none to heal. Let us then set ourselves in array, cheering the standing, raising the fallen, with the gospel of peace strapped to our feet.
The nations you name, the powers you fear, are all channels of water in the hand of the Lord. He sits in the heavens and does what He pleases. So make your supplications known, but let the peace of God guard your heart. Pray that the gospel would go forth with freedom, that laborers would be sent into the harvest, and that the end result would be not merely a cessation of earthly conflict, but Christ formed in the hearts of men. For the manner of life must keep pace with the Gospel. It is the Gospel of Righteousness that makes righteous; may it speed on and be glorified, in lands near and far, among every tribe and tongue.
You pray for those in authority, and this is good, for we are commanded to offer petitions for all people, that we may lead a quiet life in godliness. Yet do not mistake the nature of that quietness. It is not the stillness of a city whose walls are manned by legions, but the calm of a heart governed by the Gospel of Righteousness. That Gospel makes righteous; it works in us not only the remission of sins, but true righteousness. And what follows? That God would give us a godly mind, that He may dwell in it. The veil is double: the eyes of understanding are shut unless the Gospel is unveiled. So pray not merely for the safety of rulers, but that they may come to the knowledge of the truth, that the word may take root and bear fruit.
You ask for protection of civilians and for precision strikes. But remember, the merchant crosses the sea to increase his wealth, and the artisan does all things to add to his substance. If they labor so for perishable things, how much more must we labor for the salvation of all? In this bitterest of wars, the soldier who looks only to how he may save himself by flight destroys the rest with himself. But he who stands in arms for his brothers preserves himself as well. Do not then be satisfied with your own salvation only, for in doing so you destroy even that. See the fallen all around, wallowing in blood, and there is none to heal. Let us then set ourselves in array, cheering the standing, raising the fallen, with the gospel of peace strapped to our feet.
The nations you name, the powers you fear, are all channels of water in the hand of the Lord. He sits in the heavens and does what He pleases. So make your supplications known, but let the peace of God guard your heart. Pray that the gospel would go forth with freedom, that laborers would be sent into the harvest, and that the end result would be not merely a cessation of earthly conflict, but Christ formed in the hearts of men. For the manner of life must keep pace with the Gospel. It is the Gospel of Righteousness that makes righteous; may it speed on and be glorified, in lands near and far, among every tribe and tongue.
