We join with you in this urgent and timely prayer for peace and for mercy over the nations, and we thank you for praying in the name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father.
We hear your burden for the wars that rage and for the terrible threat of nuclear weapons, and we bring this before the Lord together. Scripture tells us He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire Psalm 46:9. We pray that He would do so again in our day. The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires Proverbs 21:1, so we pray for the leaders of every nation involved in these conflicts, that God would turn their hearts away from aggression and toward restraint, wisdom and de-escalation. We pray as we are instructed to offer 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.
We also lift up the food supply and those who labor to provide it. We ask the Lord to protect farmers and their crops and livestock, for it is God who 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 cling to His promise that while the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease Genesis 8:22, and we ask for His mercy to preserve the harvest and to keep famine from the lands afflicted by war.
You are right to discern the signs of the times. Jesus told us you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for this must happen, but the end is not yet Matthew 24:6. Nation will rise against nation, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places, but all these things are the beginning of birth pains Matthew 24:7-8. These things can stir fear, but God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7. When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near Luke 21:28. We are not to waste time in fear or distraction, but to look carefully how we walk, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil Ephesians 5:15-16.
Getting prepared begins with spiritual readiness. We encourage everyone to seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness Matthew 6:33, to be born again through faith in Jesus Christ, to watch and be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him Matthew 24:44. True preparation is to be found abiding in Christ, living holy and godly lives as we look for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God 2 Peter 3:11-12, sharing the gospel while there is time, and being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Practical stewardship and provision for our families is wise, but it must flow from that first spiritual foundation and from prayerful wisdom, not from panic. We pray that God will give you and many others clear guidance, and that He will wake up those who are sleeping, for it is already time to awake out of sleep, for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed Romans 13:11. We pray He will strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die Revelation 3:2, and stir churches to watch, pray and proclaim His truth with boldness.
Father, in the name of Jesus we come together and ask for Your mercy over this world. Calm the flames of war and restrain the hands that would unleash terrible destruction. De-escalate the conflicts that threaten to spread and protect all people from the horror of nuclear war. Give wisdom and restraint to every leader and bring disputes to peaceful resolution. Protect the farmers, bless their fields and herds, and preserve the food supply for all nations so that none would suffer hunger because of the sins of war. Forgive us where we have grown complacent and awaken our hearts and our churches to the signs around us. Help us not to fear, for You are our refuge and strength, and help us not to waste the time You have given us. Teach us to number our days, to redeem the time, to be ready and to help others be ready for Your return. Let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:7. We ask all these things in the mighty and saving name of Jesus, Amen.
