1. Why are the Skies so important?
a. Whoever dominates the skies, dominates the land.
The Skies are the most critical factor determining Ukraine’s future. Without having a no-fly zone over Ukraine to provide protection from the air, the battles on the ground will certainly be doomed, despite the number of soldiers, equipment, or weapons they possess and even the courage to fight.
This highlights how the skies dominates the earth.
This advantage goes beyond the skies to space, where Elon Musk’s Space X satellite provided mobile communication capacity to Ukraine even when their ground-level transmission and communication is destroyed!
b. “As it is in the Skies, so shall it be on earth!”
Is there a parallel between Spiritual Warfare and effective Intercession?
In this Circular, we share some vital Spiritual Principles which can guide your Intercession for Ukraine.
Jesus asked us to pray, “As it is in Heaven (the skies), So shall His will be done on earth” implying that the Church has an influence and authority in the Heavenlies. Understanding this key fact of the “unseen dominates the seen” motivates us to pray earnestly for the nations of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and others in the region.
2. Can we Close the Skies?
a. The unseen dominate the war.
The Bible reveals perspectives that go beyond the national and geopolitical issues to the unseen factors involving the ‘skies.’ Paul notes the importance of the ‘Skies’ when he shifts focus away from earthly battles of ‘the flesh and blood’ – to the realm of ‘heavenlies’ identifying 4 types of rulers of Spiritual Forces and revealing ‘where’ they operate:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Paul uses the Greek word ‘epouránios’ which means, existing in heaven, things that take place in heaven and the heavenly regions or of heavenly origin or nature. It comes from root word translated as “the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it – – the aerial heavens or sky…”
It is interesting that the very first verse in the Bible speaks of “heavens” in plural and earth in the singular!
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen 1:1.
We also note that each time heaven is mentioned in relation to God, they are always mentioned in the plural.
- You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, Neh 9:6.
- When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers.. Psa 8:3.
- The heavens declare the glory of God. Ps 19:1
- By the word of the LORD the heavens were made… Ps 33:6.
Therefore, the general acceptance from Scripture is that there are at least 3 levels of Heavens.
The First is the skies and space, which are the physical realities;
The second is the unseen spiritual realm where Satan and evil forces operate;
The third is where God and Angles are. Paul spoke in 2 Cor 12: 2 “I know a man in Christ… was caught up to the third heaven.”
Understanding these levels of ‘heavens’ are important for Intercession because they reveal the realm our authority is exercised in Prayer. Jesus affirmed this authority given to the Church in the heavens:
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.“
Matthew 16:19
3. Evil forces operating in the Skies – the Heavenlies.
As noted earlier, Paul exposed the 4 types of ‘heavenly authorities’ of Satan who influences activity on earth, especially in wars, death, and destruction. However, at the beginning of Eph 1-4, he revealed the role of Christ and the Church in this heavenly realm.
a. First He notes Christ’s Authority in Heavenlies:
When Christ was raised from the dead and was exalted ‘far above’ all these forces of darkness and authorities and is seated at the right hand of God having ‘all authorities’ under His feet.
“He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named…” Eph 1:19.
Second, he reveals the believers’ level of authority in Heavenlies:
Before becoming believers we “walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,” (Eph 2:2) but now we too are raised up together with Christ to the same place of Authority.
“Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Eph 2:4-6
Third, the role of the Church over the ‘Principalities and Powers’ in their function in enforcing God’s wisdom and power:
“So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. Eph 3:10
4. Do you believe that We can Close the Skies?
Therefore, the Church has the power to “Close the Skies” to demonic principalities and dark Powers of the World which instigates war, destruction and evil.
Only from that level of the skies or heavenlies that the Church can make a difference in this situation.
Let us Pause and Pray.
Father in Jesus’ Name, we use the authority you have given us on earth.
We thank you because Jesus was raised from the dead and God has raised Him up far above all heavens, and seated Him at the right hand of God.
We thank you that Jesus is above all Principalities, Powers, Rulers and spiritual wicked forces in heavenly places. We rejoice that all of them are under His Feet.
We thank you because we too as the Body of Christ are seated with Him in the heavenlies far above all powers of darkness.
Therefore, now we come against the forces of darkness which is causing war, destruction, and death.
Lord, you said that Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy, but that you came to bring Life.
Therefore, We speak Life to Ukraine and Russian people and we rebuke the spirit of death.
We come against the principalities which causes war in Ukraine and bind its influence in Jesus’ Name. We release Political leaders, generals, soldiers and other people from this influence.
We pray and release the Angels of God to intervene in situations.
We believe in supernatural protection, provision, and solutions to end this war.
We Pray this in faith in Jesus’ Name! Amen!
5. Kings, Princes and Angels!
a. Revelation is needed to know what happens in the Skies!
The revelation of Truth is so important in Intercession and warfare.
The Greek playwright Aeschylus in 500 BC wrote that “Truth is the first casualty in war.”
In modern times it is said that “Truth often takes slow trains in war times and arrives at the station much behind time.” Therefore, ‘views become news’ and disinformation becomes propaganda, Information is used for indoctrination!
Intercessors need ‘Revelation’ and not mere information when they pray.
b. Knowing the Truth:
Prayer for leaders and rulers who are involved in this war is crucial because their decisions determine the outcomes of war.
Daniel through prayer received revelation about Princes and Angels who were behind the political and military activities of the World Kingdoms. This information could be found only when He fasted and prayed for 21 days for His Nation of Israel.
God sent an Angel to show him what was happening in the “Skies” or in the unseen realm over the Kingdoms of Israel, Persia and Greece.
First, God sent an Angel to reveal things to Daniel on the very first day of his prayer.
Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. Daniel 10:12
Second, the Angel revealed the ‘Princes’ who were behind the World Kingdoms and their activities. Although the rulers of these Nations were called ‘Kings,’ the Angel revealed Spiritual Powers identified as ‘Prince’ who controls the skies or the heavenlies.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.) Daniel 10:
Note that it is the Prince who controls the Kings to act and make decisions in nations. While we pray for the Presidents of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other nations, we must also exercise the Spiritual Authority Christ has given us over these demonic Princes and forces.
In Ezekiel 38 and 39 also identifies the ‘Principalities’ of Gog and Magog which will govern the Political kingdoms in the Regions of Russia in the last days.
“And say, “Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. “And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; Ezekiel 38:3, 39:
Therefore, let us ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into this battle against the ‘Skies’ and its rulers and close the sky from their influence.
Let us Pause and Pray:
Father in Jesus’ Name, we once again use the authority you have given us.
We ask for divine revelation to understand and discern the spiritual forces which motivate and aggravate war. We pray for the protection of political leaders from the influence of demonic forces of darkness. We take authority over the princes and the powers of the air that are seeking to bring destruction.
We take authority over principalities and rulers of darkness and the spirit of death which will try to bring destruction. We pray that the right counsel and wisdom will prevail in discussions and negotiations to bring about ceasefires and peace.
We also now release Angels of God to minister to the nations involved in the war. In the Old testament, you sent Angels to stop wars so that God’s people did not need to fight. We pray that Angelic intervention will prevent bloodshed and reverse the courses of destruction.
We bind the prince of death and war over Ukraine and Russia. We pray that soldiers’ lives will be preserved and no more bloodshed of young lives.
We plead the blood of Jesus over these Nations and we say that ‘no more innocent blood be shed’.
In Jesus’ Name, we Pray, Amen!
6. How can we Open the Skies?
Finally, God has given us authority not only to bind but also to loose or release the Spiritual power from the Heavenlies. We can pray for a Spirit of Revival to open Heaven in Europe despite this war. The Church is right now seated with Christ in the Heavenlies where it receives her Power and authority to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.
a. Open Heaven in Europe?
Europe has rejected the gospel due to hardened hearts after enduring 2 Great Wars which killed millions of its citizens. However, this war also can be an opportunity for God to bring about an “open heaven” for a mighty move of God in Europe
I lived in a nation torn by civil war for nearly 30 years seeing the destruction of property and lives and displacing of innocent civilians. However, in 2004, when the Indonesian Tsunami hit us, in a matter of few hours, it caused unimaginable destruction to life and property.
The Indian Ocean tsunami which killed over 230,000 is known as the largest natural calamity in history. The energy released by the Tsunami is measured at the power of 23,000 atomic bombs causing waves to travel more than 5,000 miles at the speed of a jet plane from Indonesia to Africa causing massive destruction. And in our nation, 40,000 lives were lost in a matter of a few minutes damaging over 100,000 homes and displacing a million people.
Yet, amidst the darkness of death and destruction, the Church also had to rise up to bring the Glory of the Lord to the Nation. (Isa 60:1-3)
b. The Church was called to a different kind of fasting – as mentioned in Isaiah Chapter 58.
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:6-8
Therefore, the Churches cancelled worship services and instead encouraged people to ‘worship God with their hands and feet’ by serving those affected by providing food, shelter, medicines and emotional care. As churches and organizations began to share and care for those afflicted, God turned the Tsunami to literally change the ‘Spiritual Atmosphere’ of Nations.
For, this kind of fasting which serves to help the suffering has a powerful promise of Spiritual breakthrough and healing:
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. vs 8
Helping & Praying for War Refugees.
Similarly, right now as Christians and Churches in Europe open up for Refugees from Ukraine, caring for the victims of war, they are doing more than humanitarian work. They are engaged in a ‘fast’ and a different kind of “Spiritual warfare.” They are loosening the bonds of wickedness which has a powerful promise of ‘Opening the Skies” bringing Spiritual Light to Europe:
If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday vs. 10
Let us pray for all the work done among the Refugees will cause the OPEN HEAVEN in nations in Europe!
Please Read on: Prayer Requests from Ukraine, Russia and other Nations.