A Time for War…
Sunday’s Verse:
From Ecclesiastes 3:8 ESV
“A time for war and a time for peace…”
War is terrifyingly real. It smacked us across the face yesterday morning. U.S., Israeli, and Iranian forces have reportedly launched major military strikes, bringing fears of rapid escalation in the Middle East. Civilians are in danger, leaders are losing their lives and aims, and we all wonder … Why war?
Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for every season under the sun … war and peace.
Part of what this passage communicates is that this, war, is part of the brokenness of our world. As long as there have been humans walking this earth, there has been war.
But another part of what this passage whispers to our souls is this: you were made for more than this. You were made for shalom. In you, O God, we long for peace.
As Lutherans, we don’t ignore the tragedy of war. We don’t pretend that it’s not happening. Scripture tells us that war is occurring on our sin-scarred, broken planet. But we also know, with Luther in the Small Catechism, that when we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread; and deliver us from evil…”, we pray not just for daily bread but for the day when Christ’s victory on the cross brings about true peace. God’s peace. The peace that casts out fear. That reconciles our enemies. That anchors our souls when our world is crashing down.
So this morning, as you read this…
Pray for peace. Pray that God would create in us hearts that overflow with the love of Christ.
Pray for our leaders. Pray that they would know God’s wisdom and humility as they make life and death decisions.
Pray for the innocent. Pray for civilians in harm’s way, for refugees, for families torn apart by war.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Almighty Father, our broken world is ever before us, especially now as we watch the battle in Iran. Keep our soldiers safe, and may peace ring out. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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