Feb 2022: Watch and Pray: A Prayer for This Hour

As someone who enjoys history,I have been extremely disturbed by the current events in Ukraine.  As a believer, I have been both inspired and disturbed.  

I've been inspired by our Ukrainian Christian brothers and sisters praying publicly and singing in subways as they take refuge from Russian assault.

I read an article that said before the invasion churches were filling up with people who were seeking God's presence and comfort.  They had so many people coming that they ran out of Bibles.

I've also been disturbed by the apathy I've seen from so many churches.  I believe this is a very serious hour for the world and God may be getting ready to shake things up again.  We're to keep watch and pray so that we don't fall into temptation.  It is very clear that the temptation to become complacent, apathetic, and spiritually dull is very real.

This isn't an hour to play games or allow ourselves to be distracted by the enemy.  The enemy would like for the church to talk about everything but the gospel and to seek His Kingdom in this hour.

Satan wants believers to have our heads in the sand so we don't pray, we don't prepare for days ahead, and we are whistling past the graveyard of lost souls.

I believe God is Sovereign and this conflict is all part of his glorious plan to bring in a harvest of souls but we must still watch and pray. We must not fall into the temptation to become spiritually dull, apathetic, and unprepared when the bridegroom comes like those 5 Virgins in the parable of Matthew 25. 

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

I know one thing...We need to keep watch because Jesus is coming back and we need to be prepared.


Prayer for This Hour
Lord, we pray that we will keep watch and pray during this hour.  We pray that we will not fall into the temptation of becoming spiritually dull, complacent, and apathetic.  We come against all distractions of the enemy and focus on you during this time.  You are Sovereign Lord and we lift up the nation of Ukraine to you.  We pray for those ministering in Ukraine and for those who have had to stay.  Be with them God in Jesus' name.  May your church arise in this hour like never before and welcome in a harvest of souls. In Jesus' name, Amen