Praying for the World

Praying for Syria

Back in 2011, huge numbers of Syrians fled the violence of civil war and dispersed among the nations. Nearly a million went to Germany, three quarters of a million to Lebanon, and several thousand came to the UK, some of them settling in our own town of Malvern, after time in Jordanian refugee camps. It is hard to imagine the extent to which everything in their lives has been uprooted and upended.

Today, as Syria grapples with yet more upheaval, the German government is facing many troubles of its own, and there is debate over whether Syrians should be sent home. Austria is already making moves to deport any Syrians who had been accepted into the country, while Turkey is said to be opening its border gates for them to return. Surely these decisions are being made too hastily, when there is much that is still uncertain?

The new Syrian government

The Lord has heard the claim of HTS that they will be the inclusive government that the country needs so badly. To be sure, this is a land with no tradition of anything even remotely approaching open democracy in living memory, and where the cries for justice (revenge) are sure to be very loud.

He has also seen how HTS operated running Idlib, the genuine improvements they have made, and stability that they have brought, despite being very authoritarian until recently. They have certainly appeared to be making efforts to be if not a full-on democracy at least to be somewhat less authoritarian.

Rebuilding Syria

While many are rejoicing to see Assad go, there is still great fear as rebel groups rush in to fill the gaps left by his troops. See this report by Quentin Somervell.

Lord God, we lift up the name of Jesus over Syria. We pray that You will reshape and remake this place and its people. We recognise the hopes and fears entertained by so many.

Speak peace to those who have known nothing but conflict. Spread Your hope and shalom across through the refugee camps and gravely damaged towns and cities. Lift the strongholds of fear, and introduce wholesome ways, we pray. Give people the resolve not to seek revenge but to balance the proper need for justice with kindness.

We ask You Lord to oversee all the decisions made concerning the future of Syria by major players around the world, including the future American administration, the EU, Israel, and Turkey.

Pray for Syrian believers, and ask the Lord to watch over and sustain the Church there. Many are feeling deeply disheartened. The Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo fears for the future of Christianity in the city. ‘We are really tired,’ he said. ‘We are really exhausted, and we are also finished, in every sense.’

There remains an intense danger of huge numbers of ISIS prisoners being released, as increasing numbers of Kurdish guards are withdrawn to counter continuing Turkish threats against them. The prospect is an most alarming one. There are fears Isis fighters in Syrian prisons will escape as guards are withdrawn. Father, we pray again that this lull may lead to better conditions in Syria; and that in Your mercy we pray ISIS will not emerge once more, triumphant and vindictive.

Music to help us pray

Set to quite exceptionally beautiful music from Linda Entwistle’s Requiem for the Earth,* Ros and I recorded this prayer in 2011. Much of it remains highly relevant to play and pray – adapting various details as you go to suit to the new situation.

We set this second part of our prayer to a piece of music that Geth Griffith specifically wrote for us to help us pray for Syria.

Some of you might also find it helpful to remind yourselves of this article we sent out in 2020 concerning the fate of about a million contemporary Assyrians Christians, as well as a more detailed look at Turkey.

*For the ‘official’ music version of this piece (as opposed to the one Linda made available for this recording) and to hear the whole album it is taken from, see Requiem for the Earth (Hope for the Renewal of the Creation)  or purchase from the Epiphany site.

Israel and Netanyahu

2024 (AM 5784/5 in the Hebrew calendar) was a momentous year for Israel. On the one hand, it has enjoyed extraordinary protection from the full-blown missile attacks launched by Iran, Yemen, Hamas and Hezbollah. Even allowing for defensive weaponry to be working superbly well, many believe that there was something more, something truly miraculous at work.

But the year has also seen utterly awful Israeli attacks against civilian targets in Gaza and Lebanon, which have earned it worldwide condemnation. There is a good deal of attention centred on the controversial figure of Benjamin Netanyahu, now in his seventeenth year in office, and a man reckoned by very many to be deeply corrupt and concerned only with saving himself from paying its penalty. Nevertheless, a large number of people, including American Republicans and a substantial sector amongst the Israeli population continue to support him fervently.

It was hard watching his recent address to American lawmakers; fact-checkers reveal many glaring untruths that remained unchallenged at the time.

Many who believe God’s purposes for Israel remain, find it extremely difficult to equate the wholesale slaughter carried out by IDF forces with the unique and prominent role that the Lord clearly has in mind with regard to end-time events. We are used to pondering Zechariah 12 and 14 in this context, but I was struck by these verses that I have rarely paid so much attention to in recent years:

On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a fire-pot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place. The LORD will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honour of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. (Zech. 12:6-7)

See here for a variety of versions. Cf Gill’s commentary.

They are challenging verses. How does the Lord lead you to pray as you ponder them?

Wildfire and wild fires in America

I found myself musing recently that the swiftly moving and very dangerous Franklin fire that swept so rapidly and so destructively through California was, in its own way, a reflection of the fire sweeping through the US political system. The regular pendulum swing between alternating Democrat-Republican administrations has been given a violent shove, and major changes are already underway, even before President Trump is formally re-inaugurated. One after another of Trump’s long string of nominations are signing up to declare their support for his views, not least in agreeing that the 2020 election was stolen.

It is especially grievous that the Republican leadership finds itself obliged to sign up to a lie, for this inevitably concedes ground to the father of lies, who, as a forensic expert, is only too ready and skilled to exploit.

Lord, we are so sorry that a fundamental lie has been embraced. Let truth and effective and very much needed counterbalances emerge in unexpected places we pray.

Trump’s picks for his administration

Mitt Romney was one who consistently challenged Trump, and acknowledges that the Republican party is now firmly in the hands of MAGA movement. But Romney himself is shortly to resign, joining the ranks of those like Paul Ryan, the former Speaker of the House, and many other good people who have found the Trump world altogether too toxic.

Trump has chosen his nominees more with a view to retribution against his American opponents than for their expertise and efficiency, or understanding of global affairs – although there are a few who are ‘more Wall Street than MAGA.’

It is to be hoped that these lawmakers bring a measure of common sense and stability to certain economic policies; the prognosis looks poor economically for America otherwise – as well as for the rest of the world. Economists are forecasting a considerable hike to the rate of inflation in the UK if Trump goes ahead with his swingeing tariffs.

It is, however, a really disparate Cabinet that Trump is picking, ranging all the way from Putin-leaning people to those like Marcus Rubio who consider him a thug and a gangster. Will the people who hold these disparate views simply knuckle down and do what Trump tells them to do, or will serious bouts of in-house in-fighting break out? We are still commanded to pray for those in authority along the lines Paul sets out for us in Timothy.

Demanding complete loyalty to himself, Trump has also appointed one family member after another to positions of leadership in the Republican Party, some of whom have made seriously unpleasant jibes against those they dislike.

Trump continues to hope that Pete Hegseth, his preferred candidate for defence secretary, will be accepted, despite his notorious alcoholic rages (in which he has been known to call out for all Muslims to be killed) as well as his predatory behaviour. The mega MAGA Kash Patel is nominated to replace the present head of the FBI. This is a fearful prospect.

Trump also hopes to ‘implant’ the pro-Putin Tulsi Gabbard as Head of all 18 spy agencies in America. I have also been dismayed to hear that the extremist Keri Lake is set to head up Voice of America in order to do away with ‘fake media.’

Pam Bondi, currently in line to be the next Attorney General of America in charge of all law in the US, was investigating Donald Trump concerning Trump University when she discovered an unexpected $25,000 had been paid into her account by the Trump organisation. She proceeded to drop the case.

In a similar vein, Meta leader Mark Zuckerberg has also joined the throng of those flocking to Mar a Lago to make their peace with Trump. In a complete change of policy, he has ‘bent the knee to kiss the ring,’ and given Trump a million-dollar gift towards his Inauguration Fund. A cynic may feel his change of heart is not unrelated to Trump’s threat to him for life if he opposed him!

Amazon’s mega rich chief Jeff Bezos, no historic friend of Trump, likewise called off his paper, The Washington Post, from supporting Kamala Harris at the last minute, much to the indignation of the newspaper’s staff. He too has now made a million-dollar gift to the Trump Inauguration Fund.

We are watching a line up developing that will surely to lead to great intolerance and worse, and which looks nothing like the Kingdom of God at work. But as the Senate continues to ponder Trump’s nominees, large sectors of the nation are said to be pronouncing themselves delighted with them, confident that Trump knows what he is doing.

Truth be told, the new as-yet-not-in-office administration is already exercising huge influence, with Trump, and unelected billionaire, Elon Musk, already leveraging power in unprecedented ways. Already we are seeing their anti-democratic bias manifesting itself.

Lord, what can we do but pray that You will yet be merciful in keeping America from the worst consequences of these extremist choices? Have mercy, we pray.

Most controversial of all, of course, is the developing partnership between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the world’s richest man. It was during 2022 that Musk made a significant shift from centrist to far right wing. But it was only in the middle of July this year that Musk threw in his lot definitively with Trump and gained the President’s ear to such a great extent. He has an almost unlimited capacity to influence everything from the spread and development of technology to the outcome of elections – so it is profoundly important to pray concerning the way in which he operates, and for what goes on in his heart.

I happen to have been reading a novel set in the ‘90s, in which a figure emerges who acquires the sort of power now being accumulated by Musk. The likeness is uncanny, and deeply disturbing, especially now that Trump has appointed him to a very senior position that does not require Senate approval.

The BBC recently released a documentary on Radio 4 by the US-based journalist Mike Wendling. While he called his programme, “Why is Elon Musk trolling Great Britain?” his primary aim was to investigate what might be driving Musk. The man is a very complex person. Some of the things that he challenges on X are legitimate targets, but many are not. His much flaunted and much vaunted push for free speech clashes sharply with the fact that the things that he campaigns for (or against) invariably coincide with his own business interests, and his idea of free speech is exceedingly selective. Thus we hear little or nothing from him in terms of challenging the lack of free speech in China because of his extensive business interests there.

It is worth noting – and bringing to the Lord – that Musk is a supporter of Nigel Farage, and looks set to exercise considerable influence over British politics as well as American.

Elon Musk has now thrown his weight not only behind the Reform Party in Britain, but also behind the far right AfD in Germany, whose leaders have been labelled right-wing extremists by German security services. This all represents a serious and potentially very belligerent upending of global politics. That said, the Lord sometimes finds unorthodox ways to make use of it too!

Having won the election on all three levels, (White House, Senate and Congress), an obvious strategy is to pray that Trump and Musc’s more extreme policies be thwarted by Republican opposition. Already there has been more than a hint of this, which could in turn affect plans for forced deportations. Trump’s mass deportation plans thrown into doubt by Republican rebels.

Be Lord of this rocky ride, Lord, but let not ultra-extremism win we pray.

Pray for Elon Musk, for all that will come from his partnership with Donald Trump. Pray concerning the source of their power, and the way they exercise it.

Trump and believers

I continue to be profoundly disturbed to see so many Christians supporting a man who looks so unlike Christ. We are all called to choose whom we will serve. Our answer will determine the company we keep and the goals we set. Donald Trump champions himself and his kingdom, not the Kingdom of God. Paul wrote that rules that are based on ‘mere human teachings’ are destined to deteriorate and perish. (See Col. 2:22) There are but two ways through life: the narrow way that lives by and for the Spirit of God, and the broad way that leads to destruction. While he may be promising to uphold – and enforce – certain moral values, he is also promoting the kind of white supremacist attitudes that owe far more to the poison of extreme nationalism than to the heart of God’s servant.

Before the right-biased Supreme Court ruled out the possibility of prosecuting Trump, Jim Wallis, a prominent left-of-centre American evangelical Christian writer posted a forthright article on Donald Trump, the Bible and the Truth. It makes for very sobering reading, and challenges the view of millions who believe he is God’s anointed champion.. See also this article.

Our concern about Trump’s ethics and practices is well known, but I have never underestimated the unparalleled level of prayer support that he benefits from, and which the Lord obvious hears. A backhanded comment on this comes from the legions of the occult, who, as they tried to put spells on him, found themselves coming up against an invisible forcefield, which they could not but recognise as being a shield created and sustained through the prayers of the saints. This has been widely reported on the Internet. Witches Report Their Spells Against Trump Aren’t Working: ‘He Has a Shield’ | CBN News

Trump has benefitted greatly from this prayer support. Pray for good to come from this. The contrast with the life of Jimmy Carter who has gone to be with the Lord at the age of 100 could hardly be greater. Carter had taken over as Governor of Georgia from a deeply racist man, and modelled something entirely different. The fruit he has borne in decades of faithful service for the Lord and humankind since his presidency have been exemplary.

How the Lord hates racist attitudes! There is a deeply moving film just out called Six Triple Eight about the first an all-Black, all-female unit in the American army, who did wonders in rescuing an entirely stalled postal service and delivering 17,000,000 pieces of mail to the front lines, succeeding in the teeth of opposition where others had failed. It is a really inspiring watch.
I found it doubly moving because of all that I know about the ‘Buffaloes,’ the all-black American regiments, who comprised up to one fifth of the American army during the 2nd World War, served heroically, but then, like the women in the film above, so often failed to gain recognition back home. (It was the Buffaloes who liberated Lucca!)

It made me grieve not only for the historic racist abuse, for also for the alarming tendencies we see in so many of Trump’s top picks. Pray that the clock is not turned right back.

Lord, we are in unprecedent territory. Overrule what happens in the heavenly places and on Earth we pray.

The wonder is that in the midst of this crashing din in every quarter, the Lord is still at work, still raising up those whose hearts are set on Him. May that desire for purity be neither trumped nor overcome by any other power or dominion.

Lord, open eyes to see past the man of Mar-a-Lago, to Jesus of Nazareth. Turn hearts from worldly wisdom and rules to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Lk. 1:17)

The antichrist spirit

Some Christian commentators believe that we are watching the unfolding of something really serious, and they argue their case very effectively. See, for example, this well-reasoned article under the title, Trump is an antichrist. Let me tell you why by New Testament scholar Martin Boer in The Reformed Journal. Shocking though the concept will be to many, and fervently though Trump supporters would repudiate the association, let’s not be afraid to mull over the issues that Boer raises. The comments his article has engendered include a wide cross section of views – a notable point given his claims.

It is also worth remembering that any antichrist figure is likely to be surrounded by false prophets, just as the true Christ was heralded by God’s own prophets. Trump has been acclaimed and encouraged by many false prophets over the years, including both those who claim to speak for the Lord, and those in the secular world – like Elon Musk.

From playground bully to leader of the world’s most powerful nation: Donald Trump looks set to dominate the world

That Donald Trump is a bully is self-evident. This article offers insight into his teen years, and how the tendencies that we are seeing in him now were already present in those formative years. There is very much to be concerned about as he plans sweeping moves across many fronts, emboldened by the staggeringly large fine imposed on ABC News for misrepresenting his words. A whole string of national newspapers are already falling into line and toning down their criticism in keeping with what is known as ‘anticipatory obedience.’ In an unprecedent move, he has also declared his desire to pursue political opponents such as Liz Cheyney, even to the point of making her face a criminal court.

Although Trump has repeatedly stated his intention not to get involved in foreign escapades, it is a rare demagogue who finds himself unable to resist the temptation sooner or later to flex their military might. Trump is already making strong threats against the WHO, the Paris Agreement, Mexico, and the rest of the world with regard to tariff hikes – and especially that he is seriously considering pulling out of NATO, the world is in for a rocky ride. For example, see this article in The Conversation explaining the psychology behind Trump’s continual needling of Justin Trudeau and Canada, and about making it an American state. All too often, what starts by Trump claiming is a joke morphs in his mind into something more serious. Trudeau is said to be close to resigning.

You may also recall his previous attempt to purchase Greenland, which neither Greenland nor Denmark took kindly to, and which he has now repeated. And now, cheered to the rafters at a recent rally, he has directed his gaze at Panama.

Meanwhile, the increasingly influential and maverick Elon Musk, who it is really important to be praying for, has thrown his weight (and his vast resources) behind the Reform Party in Britain, and behind the AfD in Germany. The AfD gained the largest share of the vote in various East German states in recent elections, but German security services consider the AfD extremists. The recent Christmas market outrage in Magdeburg merely fuels the street protests against migrants. As we know, the AfD is against continuing to support Ukraine.

Pray too for British-EU-American relationships, which Trump is also highly likely to disrupt.

Even before Trump takes office, therefore, we are seeing the equivalent of a forcefield or tsunami going out ahead of him, sending shock waves around the world. Yet raise up counterbalances we pray in Jesus’ name.

For Germany we say, ‘O Lord in your name and in Your mercy not again to the far-right triumphing.’

To Trump’s parrying with Canada and Mexico, we say, ‘Hands off in Jesus name.’

To sybaritic Senators and nervous Congress members (who he is already threatening if they oppose him) we say, ‘Be strong and serve the country and justice and democracy, in Jesus name.’

To efforts by Trump to circumnavigate both Congress and Senate, we say ‘Raise up some means, Lord God, to forestall, thwart and oppose at least some of his machinations and intentions. In Jesus’s name.

A tree burned up

These are not safe or normal times, and America is not in safe and steady hands. Jesus’s words stand out to me: ‘If people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?’(Luke 23:31) The Berean Study Bible (a highly recommended resource available on Bible Hub!) comments:

The “green tree” symbolizes a time of life, prosperity, and opportunity. In the Greek, “green” is “ὑγρός” (hugros), meaning moist or fresh, indicating vitality. Jesus, the “green tree,” represents righteousness and the presence of God among His people. The imagery suggests that if such evil can occur during a time of divine blessing and presence, it foreshadows even greater calamity when His presence is withdrawn. This metaphor draws from Old Testament imagery where trees often symbolize people or nations (e.g., Psalm 1:3).

The phrase ‘what will happen when the tree is dry?’ anticipates difficult times ahead, and calls us to reflect and pray into the consequences of current actions. The Greek “τί γένηται” (ti genētai) implies a rhetorical question, emphasizing the certainty of impending judgment. It serves as a prophetic warning, inviting believers to consider the gravity of sin and the need for divine intervention.

The “dry tree” symbolizes a time of judgment, desolation, and spiritual barrenness. The Greek “ξηρός” (xēros) means dry or withered, indicating a lack of life.’ Bible Hub.

Father, as one area of life after another comes under strain, thank You that the water of life is always still available to all who will call on Your name. Let the power of Your gospel be faithfully shared and ministered, shorn of the things that distort and wither it, and may many come to the light of Christ in this coming year we pray.

More music to help us pray in these uncertain times

I wrote this musical sketch, which has a great sense of uncertainty about it, to help us pray into these uncertain times. As you read and pray, I hope you that it will lead you to those themes that the Lord wants to hear your own unique prayers for.

Pray for Ukraine

We are writing this on the 20th December; many things may have changed by the time you read this, but the fundamentals are likely to remin the same.

Pray for the 20,000 crack Ukrainian troops occupying a small sliver of land in Russian Kursk. The Russians are throwing absolutely everything against them, but suffering losees of up to 2,000 people per day. These are casualities along First World War lines.

Pray concerning the ferocious battles around the crucial town of Povrosk. The Russians are currently said to be just three kilometres from the city centre. Possession of this vital transport hub would open up the way for further Russian advances, making its loss truly significant for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s manpower shortage is so acute now that they have even had to despatch specialist air defence forces to the front line as infantry. As we have seen so recently in Syria, front lines can collapse very suddenly. Lord, remember Ukraine.

Father, bring divine deliverance to Povrosk. Despite far from perfect defensive formations, despite all their best troops and military leaders being away in Kursk, yet we pray that you will protect Povrosk from falling.

Quite apart from praying for these exhausted and outnumbered front-line troops, you will surely have heard of the many sabotage exploits Ukrainian special forces have conducted deep inside Russia against particular ‘butchers’, as well as specific attacks on a significant number of rail, fuel and ammunition depots.

Over 51,000 Ukrainian troops have been trained by the British Army so far, and there is even talk of us doing this on Ukrainian soil. Many have commented that the British Army can’t do much training themselves because all their best resources are in constant use by the Ukrainians.

Pray in particular for safety for the important British bases in Cyprus and Gibraltar, as well as those on home soil.”

Ukrainian special forces played their part in overthrowing the Russian regime in Syria.

People in eastern Ukraine being forced to take up weapons for Russia. Russia now benefits not onto from major front lines troops from North Korea, but there are reports that Putin has been recruiting soldiers too from Laos and Myanmar. (His attempt to bring in soldiers from Nepal backfired badly for the men concerned. They are not forgiven in Nepal.)

A friend with contacts in Ukraine shared how very many Ukrainian soldiers have experienced miracles of protection. But there have also been huge numbers of fatalities and casualties. Just think how overwhelmed hospitals and clincs must be in Ukraine – especially as Russia has been attacking them cynically and systematically now for years.

But I remember how the Lord said to me when the task force set sail for the Falklands that He intended that the war with Argentina would bring down the junta because it was responsible for so much bloodshed and disappeared ones. He said that He was going to give special protection to Britain during it, but that there would still be a cost to pay. And so it worked out. There really were remarkable deliverances and examples of protection, but there was also a very steep price to pay.

Lord, Ukraine is hanging on but only by a thread. Be Lord of every aspect of the spindles from which the many threads hang. Remember the nation we pray.

Father, thank you for every intervention that You have sent that is miraculously preserved lives in this terrible conflict. May those who have been protected on either side recognize the source of the deliverance, and give You great thanks accordingly, and gratefully and humbly bow the need to You.

Bring some lasting good, and a harvest of souls to yourself Lord, even out of this morass of utterly unnecessary and uncalled for violence. Thank You, Jesus, that You are still working your purposes out,

And so we pray with the psalmist, ‘Let not the hand of the enemy triumph!’

Ukraine has its back to every wall. Lord in Your mercy, stride forth..

We pray for
All that is happening on the fields of battle today,
All that is happening in terms of air defence
All that is happening in terms of repairing damaged energy infrastructure
All that is being planned at top levels in the and in the military high commands, in the Kremlin,
in the future Trump administration and in any other government with influence.
Confound, confuse, release, protect.

Pray for Moldova

Well over 20,000 evangelicals have left Moldova in recent years, partly for economic reasons but also because of the pressure being put on them by the Orthodox Church. May conditions ease for them.

There’s a Christian university (Deo Gracias) in the capital city of Chisinau, who have a vision for the central Asian republics, where a lot of the students come from. They are also in touch with Afghan Christians. Perhaps you could use this group photograph of the graduates to pray for their ministry and effectiveness in Moldova and beyond?

We praise You, Father, for the great news that Moldova has been saved from the clutches of Russian power. We pray for president Maia Sandu, give her all wisdom and godly advisers as she seeks to unite a divided country and leads the country in the coming years. Above all we pray that Moldova would be open to the gospel of our Lord Jesus and that the political situation would enable a great spread of the gospel and hearts would be open to you.

Father, the soil in Moldova is amongst the most fertile in Europe. May it become more so for You at this time of great tension.

Pray for Georgia

How difficult life is proving in the former countries of the USSR. You will remember how attempts to gain more freedom in Belarus were put down with much violence a few years ago, with many being arrested and beaten. Georgia has been following in the same direction where, despite the vast majority of people wanting to align themselves with the EU, a rigged election ensured the victory of a pro-Moscow regime, followed by huge and numerous street protests that was met with great violence from the regime.

See these two articles for more information.

Pray for Romania

Putin’s long reach continues. Romania is holding elections, and the Kremlin strongly favours the ultra-nationalist Călin Georgescu from being elected president of Romania this coming Sunday. Coming from almost nowhere, Georgescu won the first round of voting by a combination of populist, anti-establishment rhetoric, and a hugely successful social media campaign on TikTok, which has been widely credited for more than tipping the balance in his favour. His opponent is Elena Lasconi, from the centre-right ‘Save Romania Union’ party.

A strong supporter of both Putin and Trump, Georgescu does not believe in global warming (despite being a former UN environmentalist with a doctorate in soil). He does not believe in Covid either, ‘because he has never seen the germ!’

I put out a prayer post warning that if, with the help of Moscow-paid for media influencers, Georgescu wins, as he appeared highly likely to, this will likely again weaken Europe and NATO significantly. He considers Ukraine to be ‘an invented state,’ and is on record for having praised the Fascist leaders in Romania who sided with the Nazis during the 2nd World War.

We prayed – and then came the extraordinary news that Georgescu’s victory in the first round had been annulled by the courts because of excessive TikTok influence.
See this article in the Atlantic Council and pray for what happens next.

Pray for Hungary

The star of Central Europe’s pro-Putin strongman, Viktor Orban, may at long last be on the decline. In the polls, he is now a full 11 points behind one-time disciple now turned rival Péter Magyar.

Father, bring release to Hungary, and bring it back into a more mainline fold we pray.

Russia is testing the West’s patience and also its capabilities

If great dollops of power are ‘sloshing’ around Washington in the wake of Trump’s win, it is worth pondering what is happening in the increasingly-preoccupied-with-missiles Kremlin, and all the more so in the aftermath of Putin having successfully despatched an advanced new hypersonic missile against a town in Ukraine. It has the capability to could cause catastrophic destruction, and could take out American air bases in Europe were it so deployed. The West remains unprepared, despite all the warning signals seen over years; because the threat is not overtly terrorist, it is not being taken seriously.

With Putin warning that his patience really has nearly run out the with West, wrong moves now could lead to unthinkable consequences. In his lengthy end of year report, which is usually designed for internal consumption, Putin challenged America to a fighting duel, saying, ‘Marshal your best defences, name a target and see if you can shoot down one of our hypersonic missiles coming at between Mac 5 and 10 at you.’ The stakes continue high.

Trump has meanwhile declared that he will not permit American-made weapons to strike inside Russia, which will seriosuly reduce its defensive capabilities. Unbelievably, and quite falsely, many Republican lawmakers continue to claim that Ukraine forced Russia into launching its unprovoked attack. This really is is ‘looking glass language’ in which the true perspective has been totally distorted and upended. President Zelensky is now admitting openly that his army ‘lacks the strength’ to liberate occupied territories, and everything remains on a knife edge. Zelensky hopes that diplomatic solutions might work, and there is a sense that everyone is waiting to see if some kind of a treaty will emerge in 2025. It is worth noting that his popularity is now way down well below 30%. There is upheaval in the air and on the ground.

Warfare in the ‘Gray zone’ is increasing. Hybrid acts of sabotage are increasing all over Europe, including at a military weapons factory in South Wales, the ransomware attack on an NHS provider in June, the television satellites being disrupted and damaged, causing changes to programming across Europe; cables being cut, drones being seen across US bases in East Anglica, numerous fires being started, right-wing influencers being paid in the US to spread anti-Ukraine propaganda – Russia’s bid to cause chaos is multi-faceted. The Head of MI5 is sounding the strongest alert. And our army, as is widely acknowledged, could not survive a war with Russa. We know too all that is being done to reduce the navy to much less than a serious naval power.

As things stand, Russia is not yet strong enough to take on NATO head-on. The size of the American Air Force alone would be utterly daunting to it. But for how long will the USAF be there with their huge numbers of advanced F35 fighter planes? The question marks are everywhere – and this while Russia brazenly increases its sabotage tactics.

Sweden and Finland are certainly massively taking the threats seriously. At the same time, those skilled in working out the enigma-within-an-enigma that is Russia, reckon that Putin may actually be open for negotiations at the moment. Experienced observers claim that Russia likes to maximize its threats in order to get the best deal that it can.

As a recent edition of The Conversation puts it, Russia makes it sound as though it wants to have the full cake, whereas it would be prepared to settle for three quarters of the cake, whilst all the time knowing that in reality it may only get half the cake!

There is hope, therefore, for diplomacy to have its day, but we must pray against false moves that escalate the tension to breaking point on the one hand, and, on the other, against ‘expedient’ settlements that leave Ukraine – and many other nations too – gravely exposed and vulnerable. Pray for skilful and seasoned negotiators to arise, with wisdom to deal with narcissism – it is not something that the average diplomat is necessarily experienced in.

Father, the tentacles of the Soviet regime remain sticky and its influence oppressive and far-reaching. and now it is coalescing with the ultra-nationalist sprit behind Orban in Hungary, Trump in America, Putin in Russia, and in so many other leaders around the world.

Be Lord right across every theatre, from China-Taiwan in the east to right here in Britain, Europe, and NATO, in planning and preparing. We pray for solid relationships to emerge in this time when there is a dearth of visionary and inspirational leaders.

The nations have got so many things at key moments in times past, plunging nations into conflict. We cannot assume our present leaders to be any wiser than they, yet still we dare to pray that You will move in the heavenly places and on Earth by Your power and mercy to forestall the enemy’s attempt to plunge the world into all-out war.

You have warned that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, and that the heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it be laid bare and burnt up. Let rulers not boast in the power of their nations, or the size of their armies, or their political majorities, for all such things will no more last than will this present world. Help us to live in such a way now that we will be fit to be a part of what You do when You create a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (2 Pet. 2:10-13) 

Critical undersea internet cables have again been severed

We have often warned of the dangers posed to underwater cables, primarily from Russian vessels as, for example, in this incident in May this year. But recently, a cable in waters near Denmark was severed by a Chinese bulker. China refuses Sweden full access to the vessel suspected of carrying out the Baltic Sea cable sabotage. Russian and Chinese sabotage capability is great, and western defences are stretched VERY thin.

Don’t forget the ‘Ice Curtain’

We have warned about this before. Russia and China are continuing to exploit western security vulnerability. Russia is investing heavily in the Arctic circle and, although its army has suffered devastating losses in Ukraine, its huge naval units in the area remain unaffected. In addition, the Arctic seas are under threat from significant pollution as the ice shrinks through climate change.

For those interested to follow it up the geo-political considerations of this, here is one of many such reports available. [Russia’s militarization of the Arctic shows no sign of slowing down | CNN ]

See also our past report, and pray for this incredibly strategic but increasingly vulnerable region.

Pray concerning technology

We have written before at length about the unprecedented speed at which AI is developing across many forums, not least in the constant arms race to develop ever more sophisticated drones and air defence systems.

Humanity has never possessed the tools for such unparalleled progress and discoveries – but neither has it ever faced such dangers before. There is much to pray into here. Of course, that has always been the case. Even so, we know that Ukraine’s air defences have depended on Musk’s satellites – which he has at times switched off. Cyber defences remain absolutely critical in modern warfare.

It’s so important to pray for the work of GCHQ (as well as MI5 and MI6). Around 7,000 people work in their Cheltenham headquarters, and there are other bases around the country. In terms of potential missile attack, is that putting most of our eggs (eggheads!) in one basket? One particularly promising new development the British army is developing is a device that can reputedly take down drones ‘for the cost of a pack of mince pies.’

Father, out of the public sight, be Lord of all such developments: their timescales, numbers, deployment and effectiveness we pray.

We recognise the potential of technological advances to bring both great opportunities and great bondage. We pray that You will overrule how this man wields power – not least concerning the projects that Elon Musk and others are pioneering with regard to machines that can read our thoughts. May there be safeguards against immense soul-bondage in a machine-driven world.

Father, raise up men and women of great skill and integrity and vision to occupy these frontline positions. Give them grace to persevere through the very extensive interview and vetting processes, and to lead truly useful lives.

We pray that You will bless, protect and massively use these organisations to thwart and foil so many dangerous threats, as well as to develop whatever offensive capacity is necessary. Guide them as You once guided the work at Bletchley Park for the vital work of cracking the Enigma Code. Thank You for those who persevered, and thank You for moments of inspiration that You send, and which lead to breakthroughs. In amongst the multiplicity of dead ends and false trails, lead these men and women to insights and understanding necessary for the wellbeing of nations.

May good ideas surface and prosper, and may You constrain and curtail that which will not be a blessing in Your sight. Confuse undermine and confound at every stage in that regard we pray, dear Lord, even as we pray that You will prosper and develop that which can be of service to humankind.

Protect GCHQ and their staff, equip them to see and know, initiate, and respond where needed. Protect Cheltenham and every other town and city where intelligence is gathered and people are working on security for the nation and for the world.

And what we pray for them we also pray for all who are involved in front-line research work, particularly in medical areas. Continue to inspire and envision scientists as they seek worthwhile discoveries. Guide code breakers and cyber experts in their watchfulness.

Lord, we humbly recognise that we do not deserve your mercy, and that we are only safe because of your staying hand.

Lord, we hide in you. Amen