[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         PRAYER OF PUTIN'S WAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2022

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, Rev. Dr. Derek W. H. 
Thomas, now an American citizen from Wales, United Kingdom, being the 
Senior Minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia founded in 
1795 delivered a heartfelt prayer on February 27th for the embattled 
people of Ukraine with love for the people of Russia. The prayer was 
authored by Rev. Steven D. Froehlich of New Life Presbyterian Church of 
Ithaca, NY.
  The ministry of Dr. Thomas is so meaningful to our family with six 
generations having attended First Presbyterian Church of Columbia.

     Lord, destroy Putin the tyrant
     Lord, have mercy on Putin the man made in your image
     Lord, overwhelm the Russian soldiers with the guilt of the 
           evil to which they are party
     Lord, show the Russian soldiers the forgiveness that can be 
           theirs in Christ
     Lord, guide the weapons of Ukraine to destroy the weapons of 
           their enemy
     Lord, may the Russian missiles go astray and miss their 
           targets
     Lord, as you have done before, send your angels through the 
           camp breathing chaos and destruction among the Russian 
           army
     Lord, as you have done before, send your angels to announce 
           the promise of peace and life in Christ
     Lord, keep the Ukrainian people safe and the leaders alive, 
           wise and courageous
     Lord, may the citizens of Russia flood the streets with 
           protest against the evil of their leaders
     Lord, may the Russian fathers and mothers call to their 
           children bearing arms to lay down their weapons
     Lord, may the United States and the nations of Europe be of 
           one mind and resolve to stand against evil, even when 
           it proves costly
     Lord, may peace return to the Ukraine and Russia
     Lord, as your children were vital to the collapse of the Iron 
           Curtain, may they once again be instruments of peace 
           and justice
     Lord, may the Gospel be proclaimed in word and deed so that 
           in war and in peace, in life and in death, in joy and 
           in suffering, Christ might be lifted up, loved and 
           worshipped as the Prince of Peace.
     ``Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid . . 
           . I have told you all this so you may have peace in me. 
           Here on earth you will have many trials, but take 
           heart, because I have overcome the world.'' John 14:27, 
           16:33
     In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.''

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