Earlier this week, I stopped in at a gas station to fill up my truck. With the historic increase in gas prices over the last several weeks, it is an understatement to say I was not looking forward to this. As the pump ticked away the cost of the tank of gas, I experienced a range of emotions that most of us are likely familiar with as we buy gas: anger and frustration at the skyrocketing prices; anxiety about what this will mean for the global economy, already stressed supply chains, the cost of goods, and my own personal finances; casting blame on various parties all around the globe. I was really getting myself worked up into a first-class bad mood.
But then God reminded me of the primary cause of the current pain at the pump. An evil ruler has led his military to unjustly and without provocation invade and wage war against another nation. So, I've decided instead of focusing on myself and my problems when I go to the pump, to use the pain at the pump as a prompt to pray. Now, as I pump gas, I will thank God. I will thank him that I have a vehicle to drive freely back and forth to work and home and that the roads to and from are passable. I will thank him that gas is readily available to put in my vehicles. I will be thankful that my wife and I are not huddled in a basement with other families seeking shelter from bombs and hypersonic missiles. I will praise God that I have not had to send my children away as refugees to a foreign land for their protection. I will be thankful that my son is not going off to war to defend our home. I will thank God that I have a roof over my head, food on my table without any concern for when it will run out, clean water to drink, clothes on my back, and shoes on my feet.
And I will pray. I will pray for the people of Ukraine, for their protection, their strength and resolve, for their provision. I will pray for the millions of children who are now refugees, separated from their parents, in foreign lands dependent on the kindness of relatives or even strangers. I will pray for my fellow believers in Ukraine to be able to share the hope and love of Christ as well as the message of the gospel with their countrymen and even Russian invaders. I will pray for the failure of the Russian invasion, Russian military equipment, supply chains, and communication lines. I will pray for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. I will pray for a change of heart for Vladimir Putin or for his removal from power. I will pray for Western nations and our leaders as they seek to make hard decisions to secure peace in our world. I will pray for the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. I will pray for peace.
