James 4:1-2
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”
INSIGHT
-Often times do we wish that we would live in a world without conflict. The book of Genesis 3 outlines for us the origin of sin, where man deceived by the serpent and went against God’s will. So we fell and we live now in a world of war and conflict. The main text reminds us that before war is evidenced, it begins from within. We know that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). If we look at World War I and World War II, the main cause was selfish ambitions of a few leaders to divide and rule. It all begins from the hearts of men. The Bible reminds us that it is due to lust that people go ahead to murder and covert. Russia is fighting Ukraine because of selfish ambitions by some leaders to dominate and rule over the other. Let us pray for peace between Russia and Ukraine. Let us not forget to pray for our own hearts which sparks war and conflicts, within our members before it is exposed to others.
PRAYER
Dear Almighty Father, we thank You for Your mercy and love upon us. You have been good to us dear Jesus. From have protected us and preserved us from war and danger. You have always covered us with Your pinions to govern us from any evil intentions. We praise You and worship Your holy name. There is no other God but You dear Jesus, thank You for loving us. We love You Abba Father. May You sanctify our hearts from evil sin and trespass. May You forgive us and wash us with Your precious blood. May You draw our hearts close to Yours that we may only follow after Your own heart. Abba Father we pray for peace between the nations of Ukraine and Russia, and all the war-torn nations of the world. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding dwell in their hearts and minds in Your Christ Jesus. May Your salvation reach Russia and Ukraine, for the glory of Your name. We thank You and bless Your holy name, now and forever. Amen
Further reading: 1 Samuel 13:14
Exodus 18:14-16
“When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?” Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.””
INSIGHT
-Jethro was impressed that the Lord had saved the Israelites out of Egypt. He visited Moses in the wilderness to celebrate God’s goodness with him and found him stressed as he attempted to solve the conflicts that occurred in the camp. Jethro was shocked to see him trying to solve the issues of the population of over two million people; alone. He advised Moses saying, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.” (Exodus 18:17-19). Dispute resolution mechanisms are vital in any family unit, society, church and organization. Jethro advised that Moses should train the people in the laws of the Lord. He also advised that Moses should incorporate other people to sort out minor issues. Further that Moses should only handle serious matters. It is by this example that we adopt such strategies to ensure there is peace and unity in every level of our societies.
PRAYER
Lord You are good and Your mercies endures forever. Father You are holy and worthy of all praises. You are worthy Oh Lord and mighty to be praised. We worship You and bless Your holy name. You are the Prince of peace and Lord of lords. May Your sure peace be present in our homes, families, societies, work places, churches, nation and all the nations of the world. May You intervene in every conflict and teach us Your statutes dear Jesus. May Your grace of forgiveness be present in our hearts that we may be willing to let go and let You God take over. May Your peace take over in every area of our lives. May You forgive us from all hard heartedness and wash us from every trespass dear Jesus. You are worthy of all praises and adoration. We adore You and worship You dear Jesus. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 5:25
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
INSIGHT
-Sometimes we experience war and conflict in our areas of jurisdiction or experience this either directly or indirectly. We know that war begins in the spiritual realm before it is manifested physically. We do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers of darkness and spiritual forces in heavenly places. Sometimes we blame it on the people who castigate conflict, and begin fighting among ourselves. Christ our Prince of peace says to us today, “peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Christ is seated far above any ruler, authority, power, leader or anything else, in the heavenly realm. He is the Supreme One, and above every challenge enemy or tribulation that has been channeled against us. We rejoice in Christ who disarmed the powers and authorities, made a public spectacle of them, and triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). Even though we are seated with Him in the heavenly places and have victory with Him, we are called to fast and pray trusting in God for every good purpose.
PRAYER
Dear Almighty Father, we come before Your throne of mercy today with humble adoration. We come to Your throne of grace with boldness that we may obtain grace and mercy to help us in times of need. We cast all our cares and burdens unto You Jesus for You care for us. We submit our hearts to Your love, may You draw our hearts to Yours dear Jesus. May You forgive us all our trespasses and remove all accusations against us in the courts of heaven. May You heal all our physical, emotional, financial, situational and psychological wounds. May You touch our hearts and heal us dear Jesus, for by Your stripes we are healed. We exalt You dear Jesus for there is truly none like You and none can be compared to You. You are Great and Mighty, worthy of all our praise and honour. Lord we commit our families, friends, societies and the world unto You, praying that there may always be peace and agreement. Father we come against the rulers of darkness working against Your people to bring calamity, war and conflict in the nations. Jesus our Prince of peace we commit Ukraine and Russia unto You that You may grant them sure peace and rest. We nullify all their plans and destroy all the powers of darkness that has been sent to these countries. We come against every plan of the enemy against these countries and the whole world that You may take over. By Your power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave, we pull down every stronghold and principalities rising above Your word and we lift You higher today. May You protect us and preserve us from every harm or plan of the enemy that even if ten thousand may rise up against from all sides none will come near us. We pray that You will raise up a standard for us and Your people all over. May You establish Your word and covenant of peace with us Your people. We declare peace upon our lives, families, community, nation and the world at large. Father may You take over and reign. We pray trusting and believing in Jesus mighty name, Amen
Further reading: Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 2:6
Psalms 144:1-2
“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.”
INSIGHT
-This is a psalm of David which is believed to have been written near the time when he almost became king over all Israel. It expresses David’s heart for the nation during both war and peace. David must have had more enemies still to conquer and he relied on God as his Shield and Rock. He felt that it is because of God’s enabling power to train his hands for war and fingers for battle, that David would win all his battles. God trains us to utilize spiritual weapons, such as the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, prayer and fasting when confronted with personal or corporate battles. Jesus reminds us to love our enemies despite the pain and shame that they might cause us.
PRAYER
Dear Lord You are Rock and our Fortress, our High Tower and Deliverer, our Shield and Salvation we put all our trust in You. Some trust in horses, others trust in chariots but we put our trust in You our Lord our God. May You make a way for us dear Jesus even where there seems to be no way. May You level the mountains for us and grant us good success. You are the Vine and we are the branches, may You help us to bear much fruit according to Your will. May You bless all the candidates who are sitting for their exams, that the may the Spirit of excellence accompany them all the time. May You train our hands for battle and strengthen us in every purpose. May You give us the grace to love our enemies and to do good to those who persecute us. May we inherit whatever belongs to us in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. May You touch the hearts of all who are mourning the loss of their loved ones with Your peace. May You grant journey mercies to all those who are traveling by any means of transport. Thank You for making us more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. We worship You Jesus, we praise You and adore You Abba Father. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
Further reading: Deuteronomy 20:1-4, Matthew 5:44
Revelation 19:11-16
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and Lord of Lords.”
INSIGHT
-Jesus Christ who is Faithful and True will come to judge the nations with righteousness. We see His robe dipped in blood; not blood of the enemy since the battle is yet to take place, but His atoning blood. We see Him riding a white horse which symbolizes victory even in war, and comes to serve as witness to those on the earth and of-course what has been seen by the eyes of faith through His death and resurrection. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and on His head are crowns with unlimited diadems to symbolize His sovereign authority. The final war is in His hands and the angels clothed white robes participate in His victory.
SUMMARY
War in Hebrew is written as milchamah which means battle, fight and warfare. We see the first war documented in Revelation 12:7-9, saying, “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” The devil afterwards deceived Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, contrary to the regulations of God, and sin came into the world. Ephesians 6:12 reveals to us that our struggles are not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. These is the work of the devil to cause chaos, conflict and war within oneself and the world. James 4:1-2 tells us that war begins from within before it becomes evident ‘without’. Due to the wicked and deceitful nature of the hearts, conflict and war is conceived (Jeremiah 17:9). We have experienced different kinds of conflicts at every level of our society and more so internationally. At this time Russia and Ukraine are at war and the international communities are ganging up to establish peace and order. Moses in Exodus 18:14-16 attempted to solve conflicts of the Israelites in the wilderness as a judge. This was a tedious and frustrating time for him, and Jethro his father in law termed it as evil. He advanced a conflict resolution mechanism which can be crafted to suit any home, society and crisis. He proposed that Moses should first teach the people the laws of God. Then select able people to help him handle minor cases as he takes charge of the major issues. We are reminded to seek God’s guidance, do God’s will, fast and pray, and take our place while solving issues. David a mighty warrior also engaged in numerous battles. He acknowledged God as His shield and fortress and his trainer in war (Psalms 144:1-2). David put his trust in the Lord and he won every battle that seems too outrageous to the people. God calls us to trust and rely on His power and victory in every area of our lives. We are also reminded that Jesus Christ is clothed in victory and honor. He is the King of king and the Lord of lords, and power belongs to Him. His name is the Word of God and trains us in His word to make us complete in Him through salvation that we may live and reign with Him forever.
PRAYER
You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End the first and the Last. Only You are worthy to be exulted and praised dear Jesus. Only You are holy and good, we rely on Your goodness and mercy. May Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives that we may dwell in Your house forever. May You increase as we decrease dear Jesus. We cannot bear fruit without You dear Jesus. We praise You and worship You Abba Father. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding dwell in our hearts and minds through You Christ Jesus. May Your peace reign in all the nations of the world including Ukraine and Russia. May Your peace reign in our homes, families, marriages, relationships, work places, schools, societies, nation and all the nations of the world. May You rebuke the devourer on our behalf dear Jesus. We thank You for this far that You have brought us and the far that You are taking us. May You remove any accusations against us, our family members, business partners, businesses, and all that concerns us in the courts of heaven, our Sure Advocate. You are Faithful and True dear Jesus, we exult Your holy name. May You bless us and keep us. May You make Your face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us. May You turn Your countenance upon us and grant us peace. Amen
Further reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Mathew 25:31-46