UKRAINE: A Response to Pray

 Greetings,
"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it:  but I found none.   Therefore have I poured out Mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath:  their own ay have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God."   Ezekiel 22:30 - 31

Russian President Putin, has always spoke of a return to the former USSR regime and power.  And in moments over the last decades, he has done things to promote this and enact this.  So, when he amassed over 100,000 troops around Ukraine, why would any one not think that he was prepared and ready to take Ukraine?   Yet, many did not believe he would actually do it.  The false comfort throughout history is what has allowed for evil to happen and cause its worst scenarios.  One must understand evil for its work and purpose.  Just as the above verse states, that God looks for a man; so Satan throughout history looks for a man to accomplish his purposes and will.  Christ states of Satan, 'his desire is to kill, steal and maim'.  

The UN security council called a special meeting.  During this meeting discussing Ukraine and Russian threats, President Putin was announcing the invasion was beginning.  The old saying, 'talk is cheap'; 'actions speak louder than words'.   While they were talking Putin was acting.  The invasion was in motion, even though there had been weeks of preparation and warnings of what was coming.  A few leaders and ministries were calling for prayer.  But after the invasion began, and over these last several days, the continued social media posts, 'Pray for Ukraine".  

Pray? Yes.  Continue in prayer.  However, this generation of the church has never learned preventive prayers.  We always wait till after the calamity to call for prayer.  It seems the church does not realize nor understand that God is looking for a man, a people to pray to stop the evil.  Did Christ not pray for us? 'Deliver them from evil (evil one)"  Then should we not recognize evil for what it is and pray to stop it before it happens?  Evil is still the same.  The Apostle Paul stated in I Corinthians that 'we are not ignorant of his (Satan's) devices', but I dare say this generation seems completely inept and ignorant of evil and his ways.  How can anyone not know history, and see that men, that are lost and without Christ, are capable of doing anything that he (Satan) so desires.   It is up to God's people to recognize evil and overthrow it and stop it through the power of God.  And this is generally done, not by praying, but by intercession.

The recent activities brought back to my mind and heart, the biography written by Norman Grubbs, 'Rees Howells Intercessor'.  Especially the chapters regarding Ethiopia, Intercession for Dunkirk and the Battle for Britain.   Powerful recordings to Rees Howells role and those at his school that interceded to see God deliver and work against the evil of their day.   This is a new day, but it is the same old evil.  

1.  Recognize the Enemy - the Enemy is the same; His tactics and his works are the same.  He is given multiple names, but the same persona of his activity.  He is not for God, or the things of God; he is the anti-God in all his ways.  And all those that practice the same characteristics of his, are of him.  Just as Christians are to emulate their Lord, so they emulate their lord.  History reveals how and who he uses - Amalekites, the men of Sodom, Egyptians and Pharaoh, Philistines, Rome, Pilate, and Judas.  They are not for God, they are against God.  The enemies actions are anti-God in word, will and deeds. The most notable marks are killing, stealing, maiming, bringing to destruction and devouring.  When you see these things, know the leader is behind the pawns, orchestrating and leading them.

2.  Hear from God on the matter - God commands us, as the church, to listen, to wait upon Him;  Be still and know that I am God.  And God gives to the church, those that have the Spirit of discernment.  Everyone has their opinion, their agenda, their comments, but what is necessary is for the church to quit listening to the voice of humanist and men and listen to the voice of God.  Knowing God, and His Word is absolutely necessary to rightly divide truth.  Half-truths and emotionalism from men are whole deceptions that need to be utterly avoided.    The place to hear and know is before the throne of God.  It is in His Presence.  It is to be said of us, 'he that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying.'  Are you listening to God?  

3.  Obey in what the Lord commands - the commands of God are the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow;  God's Word is sure and steadfast for us to know what our place is in such times as this.  This work is in accordance with understanding the times and season of life we are currently in.  'For such a time as this', when evil comes forth, God is looking for that one that is standing in the gap for His Name sake, His kingdom and His purpose and will.  Be found where you are supposed to be.  Where?  In God's Word; with God's people and alone with God listening and talking about these things.  

4.  Pray so as to Prevail - at one point Rees Howells and his groups prayer had not been answered, regarding Italy overflowing and capturing Ethiopia.  WE are always discouraged and set back when prayer fails.  But Rees Howell stepped forward and said this great statement, 'when prayer fails, its time for intercession.'  And they set themselves to fasting, prayer and long intercession, alone with God.  They believed that this defeat was a staging ground for God to do a great work.   And He did!  We should not be content with all these calls and posts to 'pray'; especially if our prayers are not prevailing.  Understand this principle and especially in context with the above verse from Ezekiel.  May we be what God is looking for, for this hour!

Until,
Dan

Started:  February 25, 2022

Finished:


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