At silent worship on the day of anniversary of Armistice that ended the first world war, we pray for victims of all wars, including Ukrainians killed by Russian war of aggression, the Palestinians killed and deprived of means of survival because of Israel’s ban of UN humanitarian agency UNRWA. Also we hold in the light a family of a friend of our Friend, that suffers hardships as a result of Russian aggression started in 2014.
Ministry by Yurii Sheliazhenko:
Friends, on these days, more than a century ago, an armistice was signed, which put an end to the First World War. That was a hope of Ivan Franko who wrote in a poem: “Clean skies are proudly azure, when bloodshed of inhuman war is ceased, and peace endure.”
These are the days of remembrance of the millions who died because of war, and remembrance of conscientious objectors who stood true to highest moral duty and refused to participate in mass murder. The days when we remember Quakers who refused to kill, became doctors and humanitarian workers and after the Second World War were awarded by Nobel Peace Prize.
Let’s hold them in the light, as we hold in the light the memory of the victims of Russian aggression, those we mourn every day, who died in the brutal airstrikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, drone attacks on Kyiv and Odesa.
Let’s not forget that the bloodshed continues in many parts of the world. A terrorist attack in Pakistan claimed dozens of lives. Continuing killings in Gaza, army of Israel has banned the UN humanitarian agency UNRWA depriving the Palestinians of food, medicine and education.
We pray for the end of injustice.
There is now much talk about the possibilities and risks of seeking to quickly end the war in Ukraine, and much debate about how to get “King Herod” in the Kremlin to stop the bloodshed.
The Book of Revelation warns us that the unanimity of earthly rulers, who are gathering armies under the banners of antichrist’s beastly power, will not lead to peace; only the rule of Christ’s law of love will lead to peace (Revelation 17:13-14, 19:19-21:4).
We could draw an useful lesson from the Proverbs of Solomon: deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy (12:20); lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal honestly are his delight (12:22); when people’s actions are pleasing to the Lord, he will also reconcile enemies and lead them to make peace (16:7).
Let’s also remember Psalm 147:10-11: God does not delight in strength, the Lord loves those who put their hope in love and mercy.
Jesus said the truth: blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
Ministry by Artem Denysov:
Friends, I would like to ask you to pray with me for my friend Bohdan. Such an unfortunate situation happened: once he was forced to fight the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), he was cheated by military recruiters. He should not have been there, he had a right to exemption because his mother is a group 2 disabled person. After returning from the ATO, he had post-traumatic syndrome, which no one dealt with. And this year there was an exacerbation, as a result of which he ended up in a psychiatric hospital. Unfortunately, another exacerbation recently occurred. He threw out all the things in the apartment. It is not known where he is. His mother cannot cook for herself, there is no connection. Today we plan to visit her and help in some way. I would like your support and silent prayers for their family.
We will meet for silent worship next Sunday at 14:30 Kyiv time.