Read Time: 3 min 38 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

WORLD NEWS

To Summit Up

President Trump’s Google Calendar has been full of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in the last week.

Trump met with Russia’s President Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. President Trump said “great progress” was made, and Putin said there was an “understanding.” But no deal was announced.

Then, on Monday, European leaders met with Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy at the White House. (Ukraine's leader got a lot of press for being more formally dressed than usual… but he still wore military style.) During discussions, Trump suggested a temporary ceasefire may not be “necessary” for negotiations to end the war. European leaders pushed back, saying they “can’t imagine” future meetings taking place without quieted front lines. 

The President also hinted that the U.S. may offer Ukraine security commitments, but ruled out sending American troops to join the fight.

After summit #2, Trump called Putin to start arranging a Putin-Zelenskyy meetup. Russia hasn't committed, so summit #3 hasn’t yet made the calendar.


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RADIATE HOPE
Christians should be committed to praying for world leaders to be wise and to work towards peaceful resolutions, while simultaneously placing our hope in God, not government.

“Do not trust in nobles, in a son of man, who cannot save. When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die. Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry.”
Psalm 146:3-7 (CSB) (read full passage)

What gospel lesson can be taught through this story?
Most of us can’t get into Oval Office meetings to work towards global peace, but we all have places in our lives where there’s discord or disorder. Part of God’s work in our lives—and how we reflect Him in our world—is bringing beauty out of chaos. 

So whether you’re having a tough, relationship-healing conversation or turning a mountain of laundry into clean, folded stacks… you’re reflecting the God who ordered the universe (Genesis 1).

And the apostle Paul says God’s peace will be with us when we “dwell on” and “do” peace: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable… dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9 CSB, emphasis added).

How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?
The sad reality is that even hard-won, carefully woven peace and order will unravel again on this side of heaven. 

But that doesn’t mean it’s wasted work. Tending to the things God loves—like peacemaking and bringing order—is preparing us to be the kind of people who are fit for God’s kingdom. So next time a compromise falls apart or a miscommunication muddies a friendship, work toward peace with joy, looking forward to God’s coming, unending reign of peace (Isaiah 2:2-4).

• Identify an area of disorder or discord in your life, and discuss what first step you can take toward order and peace.

• Memorize Psalm 146:5, “Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God” (CSB).

• Pray for Presidents Trump, Putin, Zelenskyy, and their administrations: “O Lord our Governor, whose glory fills all the world: We commend [these nations] to your merciful care, that we may be guided by your providence, and dwell secure in your peace. Grant to [these leaders], and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them continually mindful of their calling to serve… in reverent obedience to you.”  – The Book of Common Prayer, page 657

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