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Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a service at a Ukrainian Orthodox church. Having come from an Evangelical background, there was one thing that I found very unusual.
Even though the church was based in North America, as the priest performed various rituals, he prayed for the military at least three or four times during that one service.
I can’t remember a time during an Evangelical service when someone actually prayed for the military. This is not to say it didn’t happen, but it never caught my attention like it did that morning.
But it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
For a church that finds its roots in Ukraine, it reflects the country’s deep insecurity, as it has been the target of war and occupation by megalomaniacs and tyrants for centuries.
People still remember Josef Stalin’s forced starvation of millions of Ukrainian farmers under the country’s brutal occupation by the former Soviet Union after it supposedly rescued Ukraine from its occupation by Nazi Germany.
So, the church prays for the country’s military.
And today, Ukraine is once again facing an invasion by its ancient enemy from the “uttermost parts of the north” (Ezekiel 39:1-3), and according to a report by CBN, the people are praying, not just during church services, but on the streets.
In an interview with Don Lemon, CNN reporter, Clarissa Ward, who is in Ukraine reporting on Vladimir Putin’s invasion, spoke about how she was moved after witnessing a group of Ukrainian women gathering together in the main square to pray.
“I think this … really speaks to the sort of desperation of this moment,” Ward said. “We just see a small group of people … have gathered in the main square, and they are kneeling and praying because right now there is clearly a sense of having no idea what is coming down the pipeline, what is in store.”
Ward added:
“It’s freezing cold here, so to see these people kneeling on the cold stone in prayer is honestly very moving. And I think it speaks to the state of ordinary Ukrainians here who have done absolutely nothing to deserve this.”
We need to understand that Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4, John 12:31), and the kingdoms have been given to him (Luke 4:5-7).
And one of Satan’s primary goals is to influence political leaders to fulfill his demonic agenda:
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
So, God calls us to pray:
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (1 Chronicles 7:14)
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