Mighty and Merciful Father, we heartily and honestly give glory and honor to You for giving us “life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25) at the beginning of April 2022. We thank You for seeing us through March 2022 – in which Russia flexed her muscles in waging an unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine – a war which is still raging on. While this war has brought so much distress and destruction in Ukraine, we know that You are still God. You are in total control of the affairs of the nations.

The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations

In fact, Your Word tells us: “The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the people. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation” (Psalm 33:10-11; NASB). Sovereign Lord of the nations, Russia and other nations are carrying on with their plans of war, but You are not at all perturbed and perplexed. Rather, You are perfectly at peace and purposely patient. Moreover, You have absolute and awesome power, not only to thwart the plans of the nations, but also to bring wars to an end.

Mighty Father, Your word testifies to this

Indeed, Mighty Father, Your Word testifies to this and gives us great comfort in midst of these turbulent times in which we find ourselves. It says of You: “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:9-10; ESV)!

Lord, no one can match You in a power contest

Truly, Lord, no one can match You in a power contest. The most powerful weapons of war which man has made to wage war are but feeble to You. By just a word, You will break and burn them instantly – thus demonstrating Your absolute and awesome power in waging war. We declare, You are the one true God who is exalted in the earth and “mighty in battle” (Psalm 24:8b).

You, Righteous Father, are the one true God

Since You, Righteous Father, are the one true God who is exalted in the earth, we gladly and genuinely commit our cause to You in the month of April 2022. It is a special month for genuine born again believers all over the world. For, in April 2022, we will be celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But Lord, we must acknowledge to You that, You did not institute the celebration of our Lord’s death and resurrection, just as You did not institute the celebration of His birth.

Your word declares

But we know how significant the death and resurrection of our Lord is. Your word declares: “The death that He died, He died to sin once for all” (Romans 6:10). In His death, our Lord “offered one sacrifice for sins for all time” (Hebrew 10:12a). Our Lord’s resurrection proves His deity (see Romans 1:4). It provides confident and convincing assurance to believers that God will always do what He says (see Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; 28:1-10). His resurrection affirms that our preaching is not useless and that our personal faith in Him is not unprofitable (see 1 Corinthians 15:14). Also, we know that our Lord’s resurrection guarantees our personal resurrection from the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:20).

We gladly and gratefully dedicate the month of April 2022 to You

In the light of all these blessings and benefits arising from our Lord’s death and resurrection, we gladly and gratefully dedicate the month of April 2022 to You, our most gracious Father. You have perfect knowledge of its end from its beginning. Certainly, You are fully aware of the hardships, heartaches, hurts, and hindrances which we will encounter in April 2022. Similarly, You know far in advance the victories and visitations of God which we will experience in it.

Loving Father, please all that You have purposed to do in us

Therefore, Loving Father, please accomplish all that You have purposed to do in us, through us, for us, and with us in April 2022, as well as what concerns our families, our friends and fellow-believers. Also, please Mighty Father, carry out what concerns Your chosen and cherished people, Israel. Accomplish also what concerns Your Church – that is, Your called-out and consecrated believers, and Your world – made up of all the nations and the lands You created under the heavens – for the glory of Your exalted and excellent name!

Faithful Father, draw us to Yourself

Faithful Father, for the sake of Your exalted and excellent name, draw us to Yourself. Direct our “hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Defend us for Your own sake (Isaiah 35:35). Deliver us out of all our troubles (Psalm 34:17b) in April 2022. Deal bountifully with us that we may live and keep Your word (Psalm 119:17). Defeat our enemies in the spiritual and physical realms. Please Lord, do not deliver us over to the desire of our adversaries (Psalm 27:12a).

Heavenly Father, renew our love for You

As we celebrate our Lord’s death and resurrection in the month of April 2022, Heavenly Father, renew our love for You. “Restore us, O God of our salvation” (Psalm 85:4). Revive us again (Psalm 85:6)! Gracious Lord, by Your Spirit, enable us to repent of our sins. Revere You more and more! Revel in Christ’s decisive victory over death and the devil (Hebrews 2:14)!  Rest in His finished work on the cross for our salvation! Remember that Jesus will assuredly return and receive us to Himself (John 14:2-3)!

Loving Father, please strengthen us

Since the celebration of our Lord’s death and resurrection is a great opportunity for us to speak of Him to unbelievers, Loving Father, please strengthen us by Your Spirit to reach out in love and compassion to them. Reason respectfully with them about the truth of the gospel so as to lead some of them to genuine personal saving faith in Christ!

Gracious Father, please make this war cease

Also, Gracious Father, as the Russian-Ukrainian war continues well into its second month, please make this war cease according to Your word in Psalm 46:9. Purify the hearts of the believers who are displaced and distressed and enable them to bless You, not blame You in midst of their trials, even as Job did initially in his trials (Job 121-22). Protect and preserve them spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. Provide also for all their needs. Perform for them what You have purposed for their lives even in such a time as this. Father, we love You for first loving us (1 John 4:19).

Father, You are able

Moreover, Father, we are confident that You are “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to [You] be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21; NASB).