God of our Lord Jesus the Anointed, Father of Glory: I call out to You on behalf of Your people. Give them minds ready to receive wisdom and revelation so they will truly know You. Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. Let them see the full extent of Your power that is at work in those of us who believe, and may it be done according to Your might and power…

Ephesians 1:17-19 (VOICE)

By now you probably know the national flower of Ukraine is the sunflower. You may have heard the story behind it’s adoption as they planted fields of sunflowers when they disarmed their nuclear weapons. The sunflowers help absorb the toxic metals and radiation from the soil. Another interesting fact is about young sunflowers and how they track the sun, following it from sunrise to sunset.

Their properties lend well to their symbolism as a sign of hope.

The Lord will show the nations of the world his justice; all will praise him. His righteousness shall be like a budding tree, or like a garden in early spring, full of young plants springing up everywhere.

Isaiah 61:11 (TLB)

When injustice is all around us and our hope grows dim, let us look to the one who holds the world in his hands.

Will you join me in praying Ephesians 1:17-19?

Grace & Peace,

Sandy