Recent developments in the Russia/Ukraine war have been both exceedingly promising and somewhat risky. Following the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Kiev area to focus on the Donbas and south of Ukraine, we have seen what looked like a war of attrition – with fighting often taking place to gain small amounts of ground. This has indeed been Putin’s tactic, to slowly grind his way forward as his army moved further west.
The events of this week have proved that Ukraine does have the ability to take back large swathes of land, as they unexpectedly (to the watching world, at least) broke through the Russian front line to take much of the Kharkiv area in the east, as well as gaining ground around Kherson in the south – around 6,000 square kilometres, at the start of this week.
Secular commentators have given a number of very valid explanations for this breakthrough, all of which have played a significant role. The courage and ingenuity of the Ukrainian army cannot be underestimated, with clever tactics exploiting the weaknesses of the Russian army. The Russians already were suffering from low morale and were worn-out – and many troops had been moved from the Kharkiv region to fortify Kherson, where the threat was perceived to be. Western support has been crucial, with modern weapons, financial support and training – much help coming from the British army. And Russia has been struggling to recruit soldiers – having to resort to using the prison population.
We should not underestimate the role that God is playing in Ukraine’s defence.
Notwithstanding all of these factors, we should not underestimate the role that God is playing in Ukraine’s defence.
The role of specific prayers
Right from the beginning of this awful conflict, I have felt led to pray regularly for the situation – including a number of specific scenarios.
At the beginning, it was interesting to hear of the miraculous, and even angelic, encounters experienced by certain Ukrainian Christians. It felt very much that God had his hand upon the defenders, and this gave encouragement to those of us who longed to see justice for the oppressed people of Ukraine.
As reports came in early on of the huge column of tanks and armoured vehicles heading towards Kyiv, my husband and I felt led to pray against it specifically, that it would be thwarted. We were delighted and relieved when that actually transpired, constituting one of the major factors leading to the withdrawal of Russia from the western and central regions to focus its efforts on the east.
We have continued to pray. As a would-be intercessor who is also a very busy working mum and preacher, time is limited, and for much of the time, my prayers are restricted to short, specific bullet-point prayer-cries, repeated daily, including at family mealtimes.
Approximately two weeks ago, before any major changes were observable, other than a build-up of troops around Kherson, I felt it right to change what had become my mostly general prayers for Ukraine and the war to a more specific one – for the Ukrainian army to push the Russians right out of the country and back into Russia. It seemed rather a long shot! Yet in the east, in the Kharkiv region, this is precisely what has happened, as the Russian army has been pushed right back to the border, many fleeing over it.
A battle in the heavenlies
News of the speed at which territory has been liberated has been astonishing. Yet there is no room for complacency; much remains under Russian control and there is still a long way to go. Russia has already begun to retaliate by hitting key infrastructure, and there are not-unfounded fears that a cornered, frightened Putin might go for the nuclear option.
I strongly believe in the power of prayer in any and all circumstances, and not least for major world situations. Of course, we should take care to pray as personally guided by the Spirit of God – otherwise, we risk the possibility of praying against what God is seeking to accomplish.
May we never think our prayers – even for complex worldwide scenarios – are too small, too insignificant, for God to take them seriously and answer them.
I should add that in no way am I suggesting that events in Ukraine have been prompted solely by the heart yearnings of the Price family in northeast England! Far from it. There's nothing special about me. It’s a fact that many believers from all over the world have been calling out to God to right the obvious wrongs of the Russian invasion, and repulse the aggressors in their endeavours. My husband and I have simply been privileged, alongside other pray-ers, to have been called to be part of the battle in heavenly places – thereby supporting (from a safe distance) the massive, costly efforts of the Ukrainian soldiers. I simply sense that God has been directing the prayers of intercessors towards specific needs. In this case, it is a war scenario, but many would testify to times when they have felt a burden to pray for someone, and it turned out to be their very hour of need.
A long-term view
The (earthly) conflict has had enormous consequences in places far removed from the war; forcing millions to seek refuge all over Europe; pushing gas prices to astronomical levels, thus causing great economic instability across the West; and also causing food shortages in many places globally. This instability itself is likely to have far reaching repercussions, which may well feed into end-times scenarios.
In the early days of this conflict, it was difficult to see where God had his hand, and how this related to biblical prophecies. But I sensed, a little after the war started, and following a study of Daniel, that Russia’s attempt to overcome Ukraine was ultimately not going to succeed. The reason being – the days of empire are over. I will share my (perhaps somewhat contentious) biblical reasoning of this in next week’s study article, as part of PT’s eschatology series exploring various interpretations of biblical prophetic writing.
Meantime, may we never think our prayers – even for complex worldwide scenarios – are too small, too insignificant, for God to take them seriously and answer them. God hears our prayers, particularly if prayed in the Spirit, and we become blessed and strengthened in the process.
Please do continue to pray for Ukraine, and indeed Russia, which is now at risk of major upheaval – for good or ill. And there are many other situations that need prayer both nationally and internationally. Our prayers are needed now as much as ever.
