MINISTRY / Because of your great mercy
These devotional thoughts were penned by Egons Mudulis, the pastor of the Confessional Lutheran congregation in Cesis, Latvia after Russian troops invaded Ukraine. He urges that the prayers of Christian do not focus on calls for the righteous God’s justice on those guilty of injustice, but on gratitude for the mercy God shows his children. That same principle applies no matter what the injustice that confronts us Christians.
A reaction to the Ukrainian war
On the first day of the war, a Lutheran bishop on a social media platform posted (without any additional explanation) one of the psalms that contains curses and prayers for the punishment of enemies, "Break the teeth in their mouths, O God..." (Psalm 58:6).
I, however, commented that, to correctly understand David's prayer against unjust men in authority and for such a prayer [as Psalm 58] to be heard, one must start with a heartfelt prayer like that of Daniel in Babylonian exile…. (Daniel 9:4-19)
Learning from Daniel
Daniel…starts his prayer with the praise of the faithful God: "Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments." He acknowledges where the root of our problems lies: "We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands...." At the same time Daniel knows where to look for a solution: "Now, our God, hear the prayers... of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary."
Daniel makes crystal clear why he even dares to address the holy God and is sure that he will be heard: “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
What an encouragement and comfort for all Christians (those who bear his name, having received it in
their Baptism) in times of need trouble or persecution. We well know and believe that our Lord Jesus Christ "was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
Source: Thoughts of Faith newsletter, April 2022. For more information go to TOF.org. Thoughts of Faith is a mission endeavor of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS). The ELS has established the Ukraine Crisis Fund to provide humanitarian relief. Donations may be sent to Ukraine Crisis Fund, Evangelical Lutheran Synod, 6 Browns Court, Mankato, MN 56001.