Helpless in the face of war, we can—we must do this one thing

By Dean Collins

I was 10 years old when my brother became a marine and 11 when he went to war in Viet Nam. It was the first war I can remember. I didn’t understand war then. I am not sure I understand it now. Like you, I have come to realize there have been wars for thousands of years and there will continue to be wars until Jesus comes again and restores all things. When my older brother went to war, I also became aware that church people and nonchurch people pray during times of war. The reality of no control and a sense of desperation causes most everyone to say something to God, even if just days before they have insisted he doesn’t exist or care.

I am sure American Christians were praying in the early ‘60s during the Cuban missile crisis, but all I remember about that was the drills we did where we either went to the hall and placed our head between our knees or got our jug of water and our food from the coat closet and then crawled under our desk. At least the drills conditioned us to do something to prepare for the possibility of war and its potential horrific outcomes.

One of the things we come to realize during times of war is that people are praying on both sides of the conflict. I suspect some of the prayers are for different needs or outcomes. But a common prayer is likely for the safety and survival of the loved ones who have been tasked with the fighting. No family member wants harm to come to their loved one.

Praying together

Now Christians all over the world are praying as Putin’s army invades Ukraine. I find myself praying several times a day that God would intervene in this situation. As we mature in life and faith we realize God’s love is vast and includes every person in every nation. The gift of God’s Son to redeem and restore all things spans the globe and all of history. As the children of God, we must pray.

But what do we pray? Always pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Jesus gave us a model prayer that includes this important request. Praying the Psalms and especially the Psalms of Lament is powerful and comforting. Our prayers unite us to fellow believers today and throughout history. Most scholars agree that about 40 percent of the Psalms are lament.

It is humbling to watch the Ukrainian Christians pray and worship even in the middle of the invasion with missiles landing nearby. We can and must join their prayers.

God . . . help!

The last four verses of Psalm 44 speak to me today. It will become clear what else we must do in this season of war, but for now I am confident we must pray. Today let’s use these verses as we lift our voices to our Father above:

“Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!”
Amen.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭44:1-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Photo from Picjumbo.com

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