The battle raging in Ukraine has captured the attention of the world. The long European peace is shattered. The risks of this wildfire becoming World War III are very real. This is not to minimize or ignore the conflicts that have happened or are still burning throughout the rest of the world. Those are also painful and heartbreaking. But what is our response as Christ-followers?
That’s actually a hard question and one filled with hypothetical “what-ifs.” Since our primary responsibility is to be ministers of reconciliation ( 2 Corinthians 5:18), our first responsibility is to pray and work for peace. We must also remember that while we are in the world, we are not of the world (John 15:19). Conflict, anger, greed, hatred, and revenge all fuel the fires of war. We as Christ-followers are called to be fruitful in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23, NASB95)
But seeking peace doesn’t mean we lack fight; it is just that our battle is not the world’s battle. Consider, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3–5, NASB95) And Paul’s letter to Ephesus reminds us to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:11–13, NASB95) Yes, we do have a fight on our hands, but the battle has already been won!
The difference is this: in our war, the goal is not to kill people and break things but to rescue and restore. And that begins with prayer. Jesus taught, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27–28, NASB95)
Yes, war is terrible. The cost in death, suffering, and destruction is staggering. But as Christ-followers, our warfare is lifegiving, healing, and building up one another. This is the battle we are called to participate in every day. So do it. Identify your enemy and lob prayers of intercession and blessing followed by a ground assault of good deeds. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21–22, NASB95)
So, we pray for peace. We pray for peace in Ukraine and those elsewhere places where war and conflict rage. We pray for our enemies with the desire that too would know the love of God. And we pray that God would show us our own faults where we wage war according to the world’s way and not God’s way.
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