Pray For Our Ukrainian Brothers and Sisters

[Tortuga]

8 minutes ago, hatcheckgirl said:

https://religionnews.com/2022/02/24/putin-is-after-more-than-land-he-wants-the-religious-soul-of-ukraine/

"However, people on both sides are turning to their faith. Images of Ukrainians praying throughout the country were posted on Twitter on Wednesday (Feb. 23) when the attack started. Other, non-Orthodox Christians noted how Christians on both sides are fighting: “Tanks are rolling down from Russia, Russian Orthodox priests are blessing the tanks,” while “Ukrainian Orthodox priests are blessing the Ukrainian soldiers to fight against Russia.”"

 

[jwhess]

Although we pray and sympathize with our brothers undergoing this distress, we must not allow the challenges, warfare, injustice to affect our views.  What difference is there between a Russian government backed by false religion imprisoning our brothers and the Ukrainian government backed by their false religion passing a draft mandate and imprisoning our brothers?  They are all Satan's pawns in a global grab for land that belongs to God.  Our brothers suffer no matter which side arrests them.  There is not a "good" side and a "bad" side in world domination.  Some politicians may feel they have more right or justice on their side, but it is Satan's side they are on.

 

So we feel pain for our faithful brothers but no political side is in the "right".  We must follow the Bible and GB counsel and remain neutral (even in our thoughts).  Jesus reminded us that. like his Kingdom, we are no part of this world.

[Amygdala]

9 hours ago, Fill said:

Yes

Welcome to the forums!

 

How are the brothers and sisters doing in your part of Ukraine?

Edited February 25, 2022 by Woanders

[Eejay]

3 hours ago, jwhess said:

So we feel pain for our faithful brothers but no political side is in the "right". 

Good counsel.

 

It is important for us to completely remove artificial political boundaries from our view of this situation and see the matter from a global and scriptural perspective.

There is only one issue here: Jehovah's sovereignty. And there are only two sides here: those standing on the side of the expression of Jehovah's sovereignty, the Messianic kingdom; and those who are not taking that stand, remaining a part of Satan's world.

 

We are not fooled into thinking the outbreak of war in Ukraine is anything other than a skirmish between factions of Satan's world in the ongoing war that was escalated in 1914CE. The only two political elements involved in all these "last days" skirmishes are "the king of the north" and the "king of the south".  This is leading up to the inevitable culmination of events that will soon take place during the "great tribulation," with the final confrontation at "Armageddon".

 

Meantime, it is yet another ploy by Satan (the ruler of his world) to use humans, blinded by nationalistic and religious propaganda, to disrupt the activity of the "faithful and discreet slave" and their supporters (Rev.12:17). The scheme is to attack the spiritual paradise of Jehovah's servants; to create an environment that makes it difficult to maintain personal Christian standards; and to impede the proclamation of "the good news of the kingdom".

 

We ALL have to stay spiritually alert, and pray that "we may not be overreached by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs". 2Cor.2:11. 

 

Edited February 25, 2022 by Eejay

[Fill]

I live in Lviv region, where our branch is. So far we have everything calm. Although everything may change. We are preparing to receive refugees.

[Kiku]

I want to share with you, dears, that this war has helped us to witness and touch many hearts! Not only in Ukraine, but all over the world. Any situation Jehovah can turn to advantage. ❤️

[MyLien]

This is message from my friend Alex-Saxophonist,he and his wife live in Ukraine but they are not there now:

https://youtu.be/nYXK2jgzKSw

💕pray for brothers and sisters in Ukraine!

[Lemuel21]

Update: the midweek meeting has finished without interruptions yesterday. All brothers and sister were happy to meet together at this difficult time via Zoom. Today we're trying to avoid any dangerous situations (e.g. be at the streets) and hiding at homes and shelters. What a wise advice from FDS of preparing emergency backpack! Thanks Jehova for your support at the exact time.

Edited February 25, 2022 by Lemuil

[Donna]

21 hours ago, Tortuga said:

With the current situation in the Ukraine I found this video really encouraging. It was released after the 2014 conflict in Ukraine. It's a good reminder that Jehovah's hand is not short in caring for the friends. Please keep them in your prayers.

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=share&wtlocale=E&lank=pub-jwbrd_201610_1_VIDEO

Also this video mentions the effects of the 2014 conflict in Ukraine.

https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/Reports/pub-jwb_201801_2_VIDEO

 

[Californiamama]

The new May, 2022 Watchtower is going over Revelation.  It is a beautiful reminder of why these things are happening in the world right now and also a reminder of what we must do to show our support for God's kingdom.  Very encouraging.  

[Luisabola]

Thinking of you dear brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Lovely to hear from you, keep us updated. 

[Tortuga]

13 hours ago, Tortuga said:

"However, people on both sides are turning to their faith. Images of Ukrainians praying throughout the country were posted on Twitter on Wednesday (Feb. 23) when the attack started. Other, non-Orthodox Christians noted how Christians on both sides are fighting: “Tanks are rolling down from Russia, Russian Orthodox priests are blessing the tanks,” while “Ukrainian Orthodox priests are blessing the Ukrainian soldiers to fight against Russia.”"

 

I like this from the new book.

[Fiona]

I didnt think I had a problem with neutrality UNTIL now.
I'm in Australia and I am feeling overwhelmed by my anger of the unfairness. I feel so angry for my Ukrainian Brothers and have so much anger towards Putin for how he treats our Russian Brothers.

I have to somehow try to become neutral.... but HOW do you when things are so wrong and unjust?




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[Michał]

That was fast from Our HQ:

 

https://www.jw.org/en/library/series/more-topics/russia-invades-ukraine-bible-meaning-hope/

 

Now on front page on jw.org

[coolbrz731]

I just wanted to say that the Russian and now Ukrainian brothers are an example of strength that we would do well to imitate.  When the GT breaks out, I'm sure you'll be helping many many of our friends to cope with the crazy times.  I'd love to be in any one of these brother's groups and hear the stories.

[jwhess]

43 minutes ago, Fiona said:

I didnt think I had a problem with neutrality UNTIL now.
I'm in Australia and I am feeling overwhelmed by my anger of the unfairness. I feel so angry for my Ukrainian Brothers and have so much anger towards Putin for how he treats our Russian Brothers.

I have to somehow try to become neutral.... but HOW do you when things are so wrong and unjust?

Focus on our brothers, their faith, integrity, loyalty and neutrality.  Pray for their survival and safety. Look to see how God's Name is honored.  Do not focus on the cause of the calamity, it is Satan's work (both Russia and Ukraine).

 

As James points out, our personal anger does nothing to help the situation.  It is in Jesus' control under Jehovah's direction.  It will go as far and as long as they determine to be necessary (and not a moment longer nor a degree harsher).

 

James 1:19-20..."Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be ...slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about God’s righteousness.

 

Edited February 25, 2022 by jwhess

[molnarj]

I just received this. Let's keep them in our prayers.

Edited February 26, 2022 by molnarj

[Stee]

2 minutes ago, molnarj said:

I just received this. Let's keep them in our praters.

Gives me chills. 😢 ❤️ 

[Thomas Walker]

7 minutes ago, molnarj said:

I just received this. Let's keep them in our prayers.

 

And still smiling.

 

We grew up on very different stories of brothers during WW2 than they likely did in Eastern Europe. These guys know what to do now.

[Thomas Walker]

 Compare with these guys.

 

 

No disrespect to the happy couple, or their marriage, of course. I get moving the ceremony up; I just can't picture this ceremony happening in the same place as our brother meeting to sing.

[Dages]

1 hour ago, molnarj said:

I just received this. Let's keep them in our prayers.

 

Is it confirmed? I'd love to share it

[molnarj]

I received this from a missionary who has a friend in a congregation in Madrid. Someone in the video has a sister who is in that congregation. 

[molnarj]

https://www.jw.org/en/library/series/more-topics/russia-invades-ukraine-bible-meaning-hope/

 

Perfect article for the ministry this morning.

[Thesauron]

The Ukrainian Translation Department is working out of bethel in Poland since a few days, everything to preserve the flow of spiritual food into the country. They got out just in time before border checks prohibited men from leaving.

[Michał]

7 minutes ago, Thesauron said:

The Ukrainian Translation Department is working out of bethel in Poland since a few days, everything to preserve the flow of spiritual food into the country. They got out just in time before border checks prohibited men from leaving.

It may be a stupid question but does the bethel work on Saturday? This fantastic article is not yet available in Polish and Ukrainian and I’m wondering if it will be published today or on Monday.