Praying for Ukraine

 February 25, 2022

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” So says James 5:16. Yesterday, Russia invaded the Ukraine. Putin fears not our president, nor the invective of Western Europe. The former is a weak, mentally compromises shell of his former self, the latter dependent on Russian oil and gas. Putin is not swayed by international censure and is not likely to stop until he has accomplished his aims. Militarily, he holds all the high cards.

In the face of all this, from half a world away, we pray. For most of us, it’s all we can do, but in our hearts we wish there were something more substantial, more tangible at our fingertips. Implicit is the belief that there actually is something more powerful than our prayers—guns or missiles, perhaps.

We pray, but what do we expect in response? Do we really believe our prayers have any effect, or are they words we utter only because we see nothing else we can do? Do we believe James5:16, or merely give it lip service? We read how the mighty men of God prayed and called down fire from heaven, or stopped powerful armies in their tracks, but do we believe God can still do the same today? 

James’ statement contains conditions. Our prayers must be effective, ie. targeted. General and vague requests have little value. Jesus himself reminded us that if we pray rightly, we will have that which we request, not something similar, but the very request itself. He also said that we must be in agreement. It’s not enough for some to want merely a cease-fire and others a retreat. When we fail to consult together, it is hard to pray in agreement.

James says the prayer must be fervent, not lackadaisical. Jesus asked his disciples, “Could you not watch with me for one hour?” Most of us have trouble with even five or ten minutes. We know nothing of Jacob’s wrestling all night with the angel till we come away victorious. Limping, maybe, but victorious. James also mentions an ethical and spiritual dimension of our prayers: “a righteous man.” Left to our own devices, none of us can claim this; our only hope is the imputed righteousness of Christ that begins the process of imparted righteousness. If we haven’t accepted the former, we can’t expect the latter. You can’t leave the station if you haven’t boarded the train.

Let us pray for the Ukraine. But let us pray expectantly, actually believing that our prayers move the mighty hand of God. Let us not look to the news to determine our response, but to the Good News of the Gospel that assures us God is in control. Let us pray effectively, pointedly, fervently, and righteously, praying in faith and confidence that our God is still in the business of delivering the oppressed.