Heavenly Father-

We pray today for the Ukrainian people and ask for Your intervention in this senseless war levied against them by Russia. We pray, O God, for protection and that there would be peace. We pray for restoration and renewed hope. We pray for the families, especially, the children living through the horrors of war and all the upheaval and tribulation it brings. We also pray for those protesting in Russia against these violent acts by their government. We ask that You would protect, cover and keep these protesters as they put their bodies on the line in the name of what is just and righteous. We pray for the entire world community, including the leaders in our own country. Give them wisdom and ingenuity to respond in ways that ends this war and moves us all to a world where Your peace abides. Hear the cries of Your people, O God. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Amen.

As a believer, I need reminders to focus on Jesus and his mission to bring Good News to the poor. Fortunately, as a church, blessing the poor is our missional focus. Join me this month to center your life by fulfilling Jesus’ mission to bring Good News to the poor:

And church as a community or fellowship? The unchurched American might be thinking, “You want me to join a group of backward-thinking, narrow-minded, judgmental people? And not only that, you want me to give them my money and let them ‘convert' me to become like one of them?”