Mark Carey writes
Sometimes I find it hard to express things - I was puzzling over what I could say this week that somehow illuminates what is going on amongst us at the moment what God is doing and saying? I decided I had to take my time and, as I was beginning to wake up one morning, I found myself thinking about worship, as I went downstairs my eyes settled on a book about Jesus and I knew that rather than trying to explain things I just needed to remind you all that it's all about Jesus. Even as tanks roll into the Ukraine, as the cost of living rises, as the least, last and the lost become even more so - it's all about Jesus. We worship Jesus - He is Lord. Someone once said that "true worship exposes spiritual complacency in a world of suffering and injustice" - this chimes with something a number of people noted as we worshipped and prayed on Wednesday evening - we must avoid complacency, and worship enables us to do this - eyes fixed on Jesus. What does this look like in our lives? Worship is nothing less than offering our whole world back to God - it is such an important thing to keep being aware of: Jesus - his way, his centrality. Let's offer our whole world back to God.
Finally, here is another thing about worship that is worth remembering: "you'll be bored to tears in heaven, if you are not ecstatic about God now!" (Keith Green)
If you want help to pray for the situation there are some really helpful prayers including the following from 24-7 Prayer:
A Prayer for the Crisis in Ukraine
by Pete Greig
Father God, King of all nations, we cry out to you now for the people of Ukraine. We ask you to rescue those who are vulnerable from the hands of their enemies that they may live without fear before you all their days [Luke 1:74-75].
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Lord of lords and Prince of peace, our politicians are predicting the biggest war in Europe since 1945, and we simply cry out to you urgently to write another story in our time. Thwart the dark machinations of evil men. Give wisdom beyond human wisdom to peacemakers seeking an equitable and less violent way. May politicians exercise the wisdom from above, which is peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy [James 3:17].
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Holy Spirit, we pray for the church in Ukraine, a nation in which 70% of the population call themselves Christian. Give our many brothers and sisters in that nation courage in this crisis that they may proclaim the good news of your kingdom, bind up broken hearts, and bring comfort to all who mourn. [Isaiah 61:1-2].
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
You Lord, make wars cease to the end of the earth; you break bows, shatter spears, and burn shields with fire [Psalm 46:9]. And so we ask you now to save the lives of many people in Ukraine. Make a peace that is strong and not weak. De-escalate this crisis. We hear of wars and rumours of wars (Matt. 24:6],
but you Lord are our rock, our fortress and our deliverer. Our hope is in you. And so we address the nations now. In the name of Jesus we say: “Be still and know God! He is exalted among the nations; he shall be exalted in the earth [Psalm 46:10].
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace. Amen