Exloring Life Eternal

Mission Prayer Focus # 397

PRAY THAT THE PEOPLES OF RUSSIA, CHINA AND IRAN WILL KNOW GOD DESPITE GROWING MILITARY AND INTERNATIONAL CHANGES OCCURRING AMONG THEM

“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

On August 18th, the top military leaders of Russia and China shook hands as they stood on the grounds of China’s Shandong Peninsula. They were beginning a seven-day maneuver involving a joint military exercise in order to show the world that they had settled their conflicts. They are now united in a peaceful bond after decades of a Cold War rivalry. The U.S. was not asked to observe these maneuvers, while representatives from India, Iran, Pakistan and Mongolia were all invited.

There are a number of issues that are significant:

1) Russia is also now China's main source of high-technology weaponry, while the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has become an important source of foreign currency for the crumbling Russian military-industrial complex.

2) Russia and China have billions of dollars at stake with Iran. Both countries have energy supply agreements with Iran. Both countries supply weapons technology to Iran. Both countries are also interested in counterbalancing the political base of power in the Middle-East by aligning with Islamic nations against the United States and Israel. And both countries have a vital interest in keeping Iranian oil and gas flowing north. Russia warned against using force to stop Iran’s nuclear program, saying that any such action would have grave and unpredictable consequences.

3) Iran is working with Russian and Chinese scientists to perfect its missile delivery systems. Additionally, Iran has brought in top tunnel engineers from North Korea to design and help build underground facilities undetectable by the International Atomic Energy Agency and Western spy satellites.

4) Taiwan and Japan have openly expressed deep concern over the military threat of a combined force such as China, Russia and Iran.

PRAY for all believers especially in China, Russia, Iran and North Korea that they will reach the hearts of their own people who do not know God’s eternal glory and love. Pray for the military leaders that their hearts will be changed by God’s commandments and love.