Tuesday 1 March at 6pm. All are invited to join together for Prayers Across Europe for Peace in Ukraine. Stop and pray, or use the link to join the YouTube prayers led by: Bishop Robert Innes https://europe.anglican.org/.../1781-prayers-across....

Ash Wednesday - The Church of England is sharing the Pope's call to all Christians to fast and pray for Ukraine. The traditional Ash Wednesday communion service at 8pm at Hambledon Church will also dedicate prayer to the situation. All welcome.

A reminder that Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer should you wish.

I once spoke to a weightlifter about what they noticed about people in the gym. She explained that it was broadly possible to identify two types of weightlifters. There were those who boosted themselves with additives. These weightlifters often had the ability to excel with short term bursts of power but they could become addicted to this power. There were other ‘lifters who took longer to develop muscle density because they did not take additives. Those who took time to build their muscles had long term strength compared to the power-lifters who soon lost power if they stopped taking the additives. The difference was what the ‘lifter called ‘power vs strength’. We see something of this when we see the incredibly enduring strength of peace-desiring Ukrainian resolve.

There is a great deal of difference between power and strength. Power is often external and derived from status and authority. Power can be legitimate but it can also be amassed through various means. The philosopher Plato made a distinction between power and strength back in 400BC. He noted that people make much of visible power, but what they really need is enduring strength. It is strength which provides resilience compared to power which has but a season until the burst of power has passed. In the Ancient World one of the best ways to be put in a place of power was to amble. Ambling was what Roman senators did if they wanted to get elected. They had to amble with the ordinary people to talk with them, hear their concerns and gain their vote. Ambling took time to do. You couldn’t rush it. It is why we say people are “ambling along”. Every year the senator had to do the same ambling, because power was temporary. Good temporary power comes from the people and it is earned, respected and used carefully. We know instinctively when power is being misused or abused. Something stirs in the soul. We cease to amble and our hearts quicken (Psalm 119:37). It is good to have hearts that are quickened – it means we care.

The source of Power

In the Bible God reveals that the source of true Power is located in Him and we are told what good power looks like. His is the enduring Power and Kings and all Rulers of this age answer to Him. Power when it relates to God is most referenced in terms of goodness, majesty, holiness, mercy and grace and this is the character of power which God expects of those who hold temporary, passing ‘bursts’ of power. The word most used for power is the same word in Hebrew as that which means to have authority or to hold responsibility.

Strength on the other hand is often associated with how we respond to God or our attitude to life’s situations. Like the weightlifter’s observation, we find in Scripture that strength lasts and is particularly visible in the hard times.

God is our strength and refuge, a very present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Let the weak say I am strong (Joel 3:10).  

Strength is usually revealed under much pressure. Strength in Hebrew is ‘me-od’. It is the word for “muchness”. We are reminded by God in His Word that his muchness (strength) is great; that His mercy is muchness. We are people of much strength because we are walking in holy step with the Living God of muchness of power.

Ukraine’s strength

When we look at Ukraine, or in a smaller way into our own lives, we may sense great power at work and we may wonder where this power is derived from. Sometimes things may appear so powerful that they might overwhelm us and our faith in Christ. When people act with power which is not in the way of God it will not last. The muscles that have been flexed too fast or the energy that has been consumed to create the power pass. As we approach Lent, we are called to remember that we are part of the enduring Power and strength of God, through the real resurrection of Christ from death. God who raised Christ Jesus is the God who sends His Spirit on us now.

We might feel that we have little to offer to the situation in Ukraine, but we do. Our strength right now is to stand with the people of Ukraine. We offer tangible signs of hope. There are practical ways to demonstrate standing with the people of Ukraine and the many peace-loving Russians for whom this is a terrible time. You may know Russians locally who cannot believe what they are witnessing and part of your strength may be to strengthen them. We offer strength in being bearers of peace. It is a peace which passes all human power. Only those who know Christ Jesus have this eternal peace – and it is something we offer to the whole world, in love. Each day we offer prayer. I personally kneel in prayer twice a day at the moment and pray for the Power and Strength of God to bring the invasion of a peaceful nation to a halt. Prayer is our strength in the Power of God to powerfully transform situations.

Prayer that intercedes is a power of strength beyond anything in any earthly arsenal. The Bishop of Guildford has asked that Christians in Surrey dedicate time to pray at 6pm on Tuesday 1st March. We have been asked by the Archbishop’s of Canterbury and York and by the Pope to dedicate time on Ash Wednesday for prayer for the people of Ukraine and its churches and fasting for peace. Please use these requests to strengthen your resolve in prayer.