Psalm thirty-three holds the makings of a good and faithful prayer for the Russian-Ukrainian war. It seems to contain, within itself, a world view built off a solid theology -so bear with me a few minutes here. It may take more than a few keystrokes.
Verse eight is an easy starting spot. The fear of the Lord, here and in verse fourteen, form both the foundation and the ambitions for my prayer. We’re going to pray here for the nation inside the nation, those in the kingdom, those destined to be in the kingdom and those useful to the Lord for His future purposes. With that in mind; verse eight:
“Let all the earth, Russia and Ukraine included, fear you.
May all there stand in awe.
For you commanded the earth and it stood forth and stood fast. The earth and all of its nations exist for you.
You nullify the counsel of nations, their governments and peoples. You frustrate their plans because your counsel stands forever. Your plans carry on from generation to generation. May your purpose be established.
Blessed is that nation ( I know this means Israel here but let’s take some prophetic licence) whose God is the Lord. Especially those within those two territories who name the name of the Lord as their sovereign allegiance. Those people are your inheritance.
You look out from Heaven and see all the sons and daughters of men. You, who fashions the hearts of them all. You understand all of their works. May their lives be saved for your purpose.
Presidents are not saved by their armies. Individual warriors are not delivered by their skill or strength. Equipment and weaponry are a false hope for victory. They do not deliver by their power.
Look, the eye of the Lord is on all who fear Him, on those in that conflict who wait on His covenant mercy.
They wait upon Him to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in the famine and deprivation war causes.
May those souls look for and wait upon you Lord.
You are their help-in all they have need of. You are their shield of protection against all weapons and attacks.
With, and for those of your purpose involved on both sides, our heart rejoices in you because we trust in your holy name to save them all.
Let your loving kindness; your covenant mercy, be upon them Lord as we- and they - hope in you.
May your kingdom come, may your will be done, in those people and in those nations of the earth.