Buenos dias intercessor ! May GOD preserve you from confusion. May he give you wisdom, discernment and understanding. May patience be your portion.
I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. (Ezekiel 22:30, NLT)
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my LORD say to His servant?” (Joshua 5:13-14, NKJV)
When my father wanted to punish us, my younger sister and I, we had the choice between reading pages from the French encyclopedia, watching a documentary on world geography, or watching economic and geopolitical discussions on Cameroonian, African, and the rest of the world. Then we had to tell our dad what we learned. Without hesitation, I always chose the third option. At thirteen, my younger sister and I were already reading our father's Jeune Afrique magazines. I understood very early on that you have to analyze world news with composure in order to be objective. Between political interests and economic lobbies, it's good to take a step back. Rightly, it is written " The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him." (Proverbs 18:17, NKJV).
Quand mon père voulait nous punir, ma sœur cadette et moi, nous avions le choix entre : lire des pages de l'encyclopédie française, regarder un documentaire sur la géographie du monde ou regarder des discussions sur l'économie, la géopolitique camerounaise, africaine et mondiale. Ensuite, il fallait lui dire à papa ce qu'on avait retenu. Sans hésiter, je choisissais la troisième option. À treize ans, ma sœur cadette et moi, lisions les magazines Jeune Afrique de notre père. J'ai compris, très tôt, qu'il faut analyser l'actualité mondiale avec sang froid pour être objectif. Entre intérêts politiques et lobbies économiques, il faut savoir prendre du recul. À juste titre, il est écrit " Le premier qui défend sa cause paraît avoir raison ; vient sa partie adverse et on lui demande des preuves." (Proverbes 18:17, SG21).
One of the most difficult things when interceding is to dissociate our feelings, our will, and the will of the LORD. Especially because it is difficult, if not impossible, to intercede without identifying with the person or nation for whom you are interceding. In interceding for his people, Daniel said, "We have committed iniquity" (Daniel 9:3-19). Yet, he was not responsible for the situation his nation was in. It is one thing to declare prophetic words, it is another to ask, beg and fight in prayer.
We are all called to be GOD's instruments. But we will never be the same instruments. There will be times when our priorities are not those of the people we love, know or live with on a daily basis. When GOD asks you to pray for one nation, it doesn't mean that he is not asking your neighbor to pray for another. GOD did not stop loving you when you offended your neighbor. He will not stop loving your neighbor because she offended you. He does not approve of offenses. But as long as it is possible, he will want to save you, bring you to repentance, instruct you, help you fulfill your destiny, and make you benefit from his graces.
We cannot be judges and intercessors at the same time. We cannot be with CHRIST when it comes to our interests, the nations we pray for, and be against CHRIST when it comes to others. Interceding for one nation does not authorize us to despise or curse another. When GOD asks us to pray for a country, he does not authorize us to say anything, anyhow, about the neighboring country. We sometimes tend to forget this. As a result, instead of praying for GOD's will, we pray exclusively for the victory or defeat of one. Athletes say, may the best man win. Intercessors say, may GOD win. The one who seeks an intercessor (Ezekiel 22:30) is also the one who says that the spiritual battle is not against man, but against those who inspire him (Ephesians 6:12).
Interceding for Israel absolutely does not prevent us from interceding for the Palestinians (whether Christian or Muslim). Praying for Ukraine does not prevent you from praying for Russia. To intercede is to pray that the will of GOD be for Men, in Men, and through Men. As long as there are souls to be saved, there will be countries for which we must intercede. GOD has a general will and a specific will for each nation. There is therefore no nation for which one cannot intercede.
I had the same dream three times in February. An angel representing Ukraine was waiting beside a river, an angel representing the United Kingdom. When the angel from the UK arrived, he said to the angel from Ukraine, " Wait, I can't receive them all. I can only go with those for whom the intercessors have prayed. Those whose names are on this list." Then another angel came. I don't know what nation he represented. He was not as tall as the angel from the United Kingdom. I guess he represented a less influential country. On seeing him, the angel representing Ukraine, apparently disappointed, said "there is no revival in your country". A fourth angel arrived, he was coming from Russia. He had many suitcases. He greeted the three angels, then gave the suitcases to the third one saying "this is for those who will go with you." I was supposed to give these suitcases to Russia, but I couldn't get in. I was asked to come here and give them to you, for those who will go to your house." Angel #3 took the suitcases and left. The other three angels looked in the direction of Russia. The angel from the United Kingdom said: Who will pray for Russia? The dream ended.
I understood that GOD wanted me to intercede for Russia. But when I woke up, I did not start praying for Russia. I did not want my personal opinion on this conflict to influence my way of praying. I asked the HOLY SPIRIT what exactly I should pray about. His answer was: what GOD wants for the nations, he wants for Russia without exception. Start with the general will, then I will lead you to the specific will.
Every war has instigators, belligerents, pretexts and collateral damage. Behind media hypocrisy, selective amnesia, false patriotism, pride, covetousness, selfishness, and human ignorance hides the father of lies: the devil. He only comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). GOD will bring every work into judgment, concerning all that is hidden, either good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Until then, I intercede without judging. I pray that justice, peace, and joy will be in these nations through the HOLY SPIRIT (Romans 14:17). What are you doing ?
** Buenos dias = Good morning in Spanish.