Watch and Pray.
Pastor Len Russo
Luke 21:34 -36 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
As we look at the world today, we see a gathering storm.
The world order set in place after WW2 is breaking down. With the fall of the Soviet Union, USA stepped into a place of dominance. Currently we see the rise of both Russia and China challenging the dominant role that the USA has enjoyed in both economic and military ascendancy since the fall of the Soviet Union. There is a huge power shift taking place as we move from a Unipolar season (USA dominant ) to this new Multipolar world order.
We are called to watch and pray. What does it mean to watch?
For some it has come to mean to watch over current events and then map to prophetic timelines for the rapture and the rise of Antichrist.
However, in Luke the call is to watch over how we are living. Are we pursuing the world or Christ? Are we being caught up in the cares and desires of our culture or are we pursuing the relationship with and obedience to Jesus Christ.
For me a key part to watching – to staying awake – is watching to discern what God is doing, and what He is calling on us to pray. We can only do this if we put aside our own agendas and political and even theological biases and humble ourselves and give space for the Holy Spirit to show us how we are to pray.
As I watch, I am grieved over the way our culture sells a narrative over the geo-political conflicts in which we find ourselves. We need to recognize that the media spins narratives that are designed to influence the way we think about geo-political issues and the nations. Propaganda is rampant. We are being trained to think ‘us’ and ‘them’. … ‘us’ (The West and USA) are good; ‘them’ (Russia, China, Iran) are evil. We so easily take the position that the ‘we’ have the moral high ground without a thought to what the Heavenly Father may be doing in the midst of the conflict. We so often take the position God is for ‘us’ and against ‘them’ and is positioning ‘them’ for judgment.
Scripture is clear there is none righteous not one? What if for all world leaders, pride, power and control play a part in their policies and agendas?
Had we been living in Jerusalem as Nebuchadnezzar’s armies put the city to siege how many of us would have identified the Babylonians as ‘them’ – the ones who God would be against?
Assyria is described as the rod of God’s anger to bring judgment upon both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. (Isaiah 10:5)
As Kingdom people our allegiance is first to our King and Saviour Jesus Christ, rather than being swayed by the yeast of Herod. It is essential to take time in prayer to listen to discern what the Father is doing and how we are meant to pray.
As I have done this, I have identified the following 3 general prayer paths each of which call for listening for the specifics of how to pray. Remember too, our response is not restricted to the prayer closet. Often as we pray, we will be prompted to take action steps that flow from our prayer.
We need to allow the Father to do in us, what we ask for Him to do in others.
HOW ARE WE TO UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT
GEO-POLITICAL STORMS?
In the clashes between nations principalities and territorial spirits fight for power and control. The human cost is horrendous. Lives lost, houses and fields and livelihoods destroyed. Human greed and desire for power and control feed the demonic realm. Sin empowers the conflict. God in His sovereignty allows such conflict.
He allows sin to run its course. (Romans 1:24-32) He lifts his hand of favour exposing leaders and also their populations to the consequences of their decisions.
God’s heart is with those who are suffering – His goal is redemption. Moved by compassion and empowered by the Spirit, His people take up their role as salt and light.
As intercession is made on their behalf, His power is released to break the patterns of conflict and suffering.
WHAT DO WE PRAY?
- 1 Timothy 2:1-5
Through the cross sin has been dealt with; the demonic humiliated and overthrown; the nations marked for redemption). John 12:31-32; John 1:5; Colossians 2:15.
While the battle was won at the cross and the demonic disarmed, the conflict still continues. The only power principalities and powers now have is through feeding off the rebellion and sin of people. This has particular relevance as we think of the geo-political conflicts. Pride, desire for power and control, financial greed, lies and corruption are at the heart of so much of what we see on the world stage. This is why the 1 Timothy 2 prayer is essential.
- In all these conflicts, God’s people in the nations involved, face persecution, suffering, displacement and loss. We must stand with them in prayer.
Seek for them divine protection, provision and the boldness to live out Rev 12:10-12.
Pray in line with Acts 4:23-31. Also, we know the heart of God is for redemption. His heart surely is with the poor and dispossessed.
- Build prayer on the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer … Matthew 6:9-13
This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
The principalities are desperate to hold onto their territory. They know they have lost and their judgment awaits, but their hope is that they can delay that day by blocking the flow of the gospel to the nations. Jesus Christ has all authority over them; their kingdom can be plundered but workers are needed to take the gospel to the nations.
It is essential we keep in mind that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world &
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12)
Through sinful activity and mindsets these powers dominate different spheres of cultural influence in a society and impact the populations of communities, cities and nations.
God’s sovereignty over the Leaders of Nations:
In Isaiah 40:23-24 we find these words: He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
GOD’S GRAND PLAN: Reconciliation. (see Ephesians 1:9-10) God’s heart is redemptive
Isaiah 19:23-25. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. 25 The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying,
“Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD
His ultimate goal is to see the nations together in worship. It is pictured in Revelation 7:9
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
In Christ, everything finds its meaning and purpose. We know where history is headed –We are being called to play our part in living out this great reconciliation. (Ephesians 2:10)
Keep in mind the vision of the Old Testament Prophets
- Isaiah 9:6-7
- Isaiah 11:9-10 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. (also see Habakkuk 2:12-14)
- Isaiah 24:21-23. In that day the Lord will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below. They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a dungeon; they will be shut up in prison and be punished after many days.
The moon will be dismayed, the sun ashamed; for the Lord Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders —with great glory.I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at The Refinery.
When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.
So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org
2026 WILL BE A TIME OF WARFARE.
This episode is brought to you by Refinery Life Australia:
If you enjoy The Refinery Life Radio Podcast you can help support The Refinery by doing the following:
Join our Telegram Channel https://t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia
Sow an offering:
Bitcoin: bc1qqh6720t2zagj72dyfj348az698tdut3hlecaj4
Online: https://www.refinerylife.org/donate/
If you do send an offering then please email us so that we can say thank you
Subscribe on
iTunes | Spotify | YouTube | TuneIn | Rumble | Zap.Stream | Fountain |
Share The Refinery with your friends and family
Subscribe to the newsletter on www.refinerylife.org
Follow The Refinery on Twitter | Nostr | Instagram | Fountain