He Has You

Even when nations fall, God can yet catch them in His hands. “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT).

These past few days, I have been watching all that is happening to the people of Ukraine. The destruction and pain being poured out on that country is cruel. I think of the young parents with their little children and the fear they have for their safety. All I can do is pray.

When you have nothing but a prayer, you have everything that you need. “Yahweh is near to everyone who prays to him, to every faithful person who prays to him. He fills the needs of those who fear him. He hears their cries for help and saves them” (Psalm 145:18-19 NOG).

Sometimes I feel like I have nothing but a prayer that I can offer. But then I remember that it is by prayer that nations can be born, and it is by prayer that our world can be changed. In ourselves we are weak and have little power. But when we pray, we are tapping into the power of God.

When people tell you that you don’t have a prayer, simply fall to your knees and prove them wrong. “…And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed” (Joshua 23:14 NKJV).

I pray for the people of Ukraine that the Lord will reach down and save them. I pray that they will find shelter, food, and warmth to care for the elderly and their little ones. I pray for the men to protect their Families and stand up and be an example to their children.

In the kingdom, you’ll go farther on your knees than on your own two feet. “Yahweh is near to everyone who prays to him, to every faithful person who prays to him. He fills the needs of those who fear him. He hears their cries for help and saves them” (Psalm 145:18-19 NOG).

I pray for a courage to rise up in the resistance fighters of Ukraine. I hear some that compare the power of Russia over Ukraine is like Goliath over David. Don’t they know? It was David who prevailed, and it was God who was helping him.

When everything comes against you, that is when you will see that God is before you. “The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you…” (Deuteronomy 1:30 NKJV).

I pray for the soldiers of Ukraine to be brave and fight to their victory. May the Lord go before them and be their guard in the night. May their leaders have wisdom and their troops be full of courage. I pray that God would fight for them and bring a victory that only he could attain.

You have to go through the wilderness to get to the promise. Do not despise what you are going through, but know that He is with you. “…Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV).

I pray for the Russian people to stand up against what is happening. I pray for the Russian soldiers who don’t want to be part of what is happening. I pray that God would work in the hearts of the men and women of Russia to have mercy and compassion for the people of Ukraine.

The more clearly you see yourself, the more mercy you will show to others. “You will be judged on whether or not you are doing what Christ wants you to. So watch what you do and what you think; for there will be no mercy to those who have shown no mercy. But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over his judgment against you” (James 2:12-13 TLB).

I pray for the leaders of other countries that God would give them wisdom in how to come against this crime against a country. That they would seek what is best for the people of Ukraine, knowing, in the end, this reflects what is the goodness of the people in their own country.

We are not called to bash those in authority but to pray for them. “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT).

I pray that many would pray and that God would hear and then act on the request of His people. I pray believers to stand together with love and compassion for our brothers and sisters who are in Ukraine right now. May we pray believing, knowing what our God can do for the people of Ukraine.

We pray as high as we believe. “And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22 AMPC).

Blessings to you and blessings to the people of Ukraine,

Paul Balius