Free & Fit Blog Post - A Prayer for Russia & Ukraine - The Sale of a Prized Asset!

Free & Fit Blog Post - Pray for Russia & Ukraine - The Sale of a Prized Asset!

A Collect for Ukraine by Mother Barbara Crafton

By Tim Cheux, Free & Fit Team

Whether you loathe or love him, admire or avoid him, ignore or idolise him, Roman Abramovich has committed the shocking act of selling his most beloved and prized asset. He has sold Chelsea Football Club.

How do you feel about Abramovich's decision to sell?

When Chelsea first became rich and famous in the early 2000s I couldn’t help but be envious of them competing for titles, entering Europe and bringing in some of the world’s most elite players.

As an avid QPR fan I’ve often felt conflicted watching Chelsea’s rise to the top in recent years. It’s tough to see your rivals win at the best of times. However, when listening to Abramovich’s shock decision to sell the club, and his wife’s full support for the Ukrainian people this past week, it has made me reflect on what ethical decisions leaders in sport can make at such a time as this.

Do you think politics has a place in sport?

In the book of 2 Timothy 1:7 it says that the Holy Spirit is not to do with 'conflict, fear or cowardice', but to do with 'Power, love and a sound mind'. In a time of conflict we are all more aware of what seems like an absence of peace.

Yet Jesus calls us to love our neighbours - and our enemies - as ourselves. What a striking contrast to the attitudes around us in the rest of the world.

When you feel hurt or angry, how do you respond? Do you love your neighbours?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.” 2 Timothy 1:7-8 NLT

The love the world has poured out on Ukraine this past week has been nothing short of overwhelming. Refugees have been accepted, humanitarian aid offered and aggression challenged.

How can we help those who need us today?

The situation remains so clearly desperate that we are reminded of who we need to turn to. Our human efforts can only do so much.

In Hebrews 12 we find hope in how to respond to this situation. We are called to respond not as the World responds, but as God would like us to run, to perservere and to fix our eyes on Jesus.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1–2, NIV”

Let’s turn to God in prayer and lift up this situation to Him. Through prayer and Godly action we are all called to seek peace, justice and comfort for the suffering. We can all respond together United in Prayer.

Let us pray....

A Prayer for Ukraine & Russia:

Lord Jesus Christ, you said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you”. For the glory of your Name, turn us from all evil and grant that in all trouble we may put our whole trust and confidence in your mercy.

Protect all the people of Ukraine during this time of violence and oppression; give courage and comfort to those who stand against these injustices; and, we ask for your mercy, change the hearts and minds of those who have chosen the path of destruction.

All this we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen

(A Prayer from Father Daniel McClain)

Love & Blessings F&F Team

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