Few, and certainly not the present writer, could have foreseen the emergence of President Zelensky onto the world stage in the starring central role that he has risen to. It takes an unusually gifted man to inspire and motivate American Congress and British Parliament alike to commit themselves to a distant campaign. Ever conscious of the need to win global support, Zelensky has also led the charge against swathes of corruption that had been plaguing the country.

It is clearly both important and strategic to pray for this man and his family, who has mobilised the morale of his nation and brought about a release of armaments that would certainly not have otherwise come about. Pray for his protection and for good judgement and wise decision making concerning the many pressing matters he constantly has to deal with on all fronts.

Oboe concerto, RV 447 (2nd movement) by Vivaldi

Musicians led by Thomas and Susanne Herzog (oboe and violin)

Some trust in (rely on) chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Some nations boast of armies and of weaponry, but our boast is in the Lord our God TLB)

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

LORD, give victory to the king! Answer when we call! (from Psalm 20)

The verb to escalate is only acquired its modern usage in recent times. Deriving from the Latin scala ladder, and passing through ‘escalade’ (meaning ‘to assail a city by means of siege ladders), the West has been understandably cautious of escalating the conflict with Russia – but this at a time when that country has been throwing the entire weight of its considerable military weight and force against a nation many times its inferior in size and population.

There has only been one country in this conflict guilty of escalation, and that is Russia, which has, effectively, declared war against the West.

Ukraine has lost huge numbers of its fighting troops and remains heavily outnumbered and outgunned. At this time when Russia has effectively declared war against the West, Ukraine faces intense danger as this dedicated foe, who has learnt from his mistakes and is numerically far stronger than a year ago, intensifies its military push. Let’s pray for Ukraine to have both the skill and the resources with which to survive, and then one day to rise again and resume its place as the breadbasket of the world.

The matter of being prepared to send the advanced weaponry that Ukraine is manifestly in need of is also a test of each nation’s commitment (and bravery). The West has been upping its response in terms of its willingness to provide Ukraine with what it needs to survive, but there are massive logistical challenges in this – not least in that the West has been sharing what it can spare, and drawing from a dwindling pool of resources, being neither able nor willing to restock at the pace at which these weapons are either being used or destroyed.

In that sense the longer the conflict goes on the more it benefits Russia, who, so far from being completely defeated by the severe sanctions targeted against it has harnessed its industrial resources to massively increase weapons production, as well as obtaining supplies from similarly-minded nations.

Pray too for those serving in the British Armed Forces, which have long been pared to the bone, as well as for effective supplies and resources.

The music, the 1st movement of Manuel de Falla’s Harpsichord Concerto, was written just before the outbreak of the horrifyingly bloodthirsty Spanish civil war in the 1930. It is a difficult piece to listen to, because it resounds with the menace and tumult of both that time and our own. We chose this music deliberately because times are hard for so many and what is happening in China is of extreme importance to the whole world.

The musicians were Justin, playing the virtuoso harpsichord part, Nicola Gerrard , Amy Roberts, Shirley Richards, Helen Rees and Corinne Frost.

This is also an important time to pray for Israel, not least in respect of its relationships with Ukraine and Russia.

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate His rule with trembling. (Ps. 2:10-11)

The present administration in Washington has shown itself a faithful friend of Ukraine, and supporter of NATO. Prayer for America to continue to stand firm is vital.

Pray for America to stand firm. It is easy for nations to backtrack on their commitments.

Pray too for Israel, not least in respect of its standing in regard to Ukraine and Russia.

Unique in its history as the chosen people and land of God, and unique in its eschatological role as the place to which the Lord Jesus will return to rule on earth, the in-between time remains fraught and complex for Israel. All the more so since the most right-wing government in the nation’s short history has come to power, one that very many in the country, let alone abroad, are exceedingly wary of as it rides roughshod over certain important safety checks and balances.

Israel’s support for Ukraine has taken the form of humanitarian aid as well as receiving in numbers of refugees. Its reluctance to be more upfront in terms of military support is well known and requires consideration and prayer. Pray for the land of Israel, and for all who dwell there, for the Lord yearns for the land He set His heart upon as for a first-born child.

In that day Israel will be the third (in a three-party alliance) along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.” (Is. 19:24)

The musicians were

Sally Prittie, David Booth, Keith Entwistle, Nicola Gerrard, Jo Garcia, Geth Griffith, Grace Lee, Fontane Liang, Anthony Thompson and Teresa Brasier.

There are many unseen threats in our times. We have often asked for prayer to protect the world global network. Against external attack. An example from a dramatic example from the code breaking operations during the Second World War serves as an incentive to re-knew our prayers in this sphere There are many other threats, however, which are ultimately self-inflicted, but which equally serve to curtail the frontiers of free speech, and with it to threaten the freedom to preach the gospel.

This section is accompanied by a powerful improvisation that Peter Richards played on his French horn.

The whole world is watching with concern as Sino-American tensions ramp up to dangerous high levels. Beyond mutual trade reprisals, the matter of Taiwan, and new US bases in the Philippines are among the bones of contention. It would not take much to tip the simmering hostilities over into a full-blown war between the two superpowers.

There are many ways in which both the conflict in Ukraine and with China could escalate into global, as this prophecy from Norway in 1968 makes clear. http://www.inthebeginning.com/articles/norway1968.htm

As Paul put it in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8), ‘You know what is holding [the man of lawlessness] back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendour of His coming. (NLT)

Or as John foresaw, ‘Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.’ (Rev. 6:4)

It is really important to pray for what is happening in China, the Philippines and in Taiwan.

The tension extends beyond trade wars to embrace Taiwan, the new US bases in the Philippines and in the Far East, the serious matter of the balloons over America that are capable of releasing deadly nuclear weapons, and even into space.

Pray for the Lord’s mercy and restraint what is happening in China, the Philippines and in Taiwan, and for God’s grand scheme of preparing the way for His glorious return to continue apace. May many in those countries who love and serve Jesus faithfully rise up in love, embracing their role as priests in God’s righteous Kingdom.

D’ror Yikra, the powerful music that accompanies this piece, is named from a song by a Jewish poet who lived in 10th century Spain. The words are ‘a plea to God to protect Israel and bring about its peace and redemption.’

Geth Griffith made the arrangement for us, which is played for us here by Geth Griffith, David Booth, Teresa Brasier, Keith and Linda Entwistle, Anna Fraser, Nicola Gerrard, Mike Halliday, Fontane Liang and Anthony Thompson.

As we round off this prayer presentation with this simple offering of praise, the music of our opening piece returns. It is exquisitely complemented by the beautiful trumpet obligato part that Anthony improvised around the piece we began this presentation with: the beautiful mediaeval Orthodox chant.

The musicians were Francis Cummings, Christiane Max, Corinne Frost, Jo Garcia, Nicola Gerrard and Anthony Thompson. A huge thank you all the musicians who played at the various events which made these recordings.

Transfigurations - Track 10 - Let the Power of Your Spirit

Fire from the North improvisation led by Francis Cummings

Across the boundless steppes of Mongolia and Central Asia, and the teeming millions of South East Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, let the power of Your Spirit sweep more and more into Your kingdom.

Spirit of Love, strengthen all who are enduring the pressing vice of totalitarian regimes, that the faith of Your children in Vietnam, North Korea and Laos may not falter, but grow from week to week.

Pour out Your strength and help them rise above the pressures that unjust leaders and evil ruling spirits send to crush their souls.

Touch hearts and minds in Thailand, Cambodia and troubled Burma.

Establish Your Church in purity and holiness;

and rescue lives from depravity and oppression.

Stoke revival fires in South and Central America that millions may cherish the name of Jesus

In sprawling shanty towns and crowded metropolis.

Let praises resound to You in both the Spanish and Portuguese tongues, in Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Columbia, Guyana, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica.

Spirit of God, sweep through Australasia. Guide and inspire ministries in Australia and New Zealand to be on the cutting edge for You. Make them strong in faith but compassionate of heart.

Bear aloft our island nations: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales. Let Your power flow from the north to meet the myriad streams You are raising up in the south.

Bless all who are seeking to make You known in Scotland.

Cause Your fire to blaze again in the heart of that nation;

let Your people embrace Your full empowering.

We pray for the land of Wales, where the tide of prayer is rising.

Bless the tens of thousands who are entreating Your Spirit to come again to that parched but precious land.

Gospel of full Salvation, take fuller root in Ireland’s soil and soul.

Strengthen and unite believers in their walk with You.

Spirit of grace, overcome the constraints of sectarianism.

Spirit of conviction, save the land from Mammon’s taint.

God of Hope and Truth,

rescue England from our stubborn, sinful ways.

Even as we reap the havoc we have sown,

we cry out to You in these days of Your Spirit’s moving,

that our hearts be opened wide to the life that is truly life.

My Heart is not proud

Linda Entwistle wrote this exquisite setting of Psalm 131 in her early 20s. She writes, “It is a reminder that, although we get caught up in the challenging themes of life of the current day, it is vitally important to rest on God, as Mother and nurturer as well as to know Him as our Heavenly Father. Everything we have, and all our strength comes from Him.” David Booth has written and recorded a guitar part to accompany it.

As the war in Ukraine grinds on,

locked in the melancholy of its bitter blood-soaked conflict,

where the shock of each new pulverising strike

fuels the bitterness and fans the hatred,

like icebergs clashing and crashing against each other,

let some manifestation of Your tenderness

steal over bruised and damaged hearts,

and seal both inner and outer wounds,

Utter knowing, utter caring,

that knows exactly how things are;

and which holds and guards us through the brutal storm and shaking assaults

that are decimating the land and extending spiralling threats far beyond the fields of battle to menace the entire western lands,

O God send some green olive leaves

to betoken some hope beyond the horizon

as a sign of better things to come.

Unblock stunted senses

and grant grace to rise above brusque and sullen attitudes

to glimpse Your warm embracing tenderness,

that brings consolation beyond compare,

unconditional support

and the deep inner empowering of knowing that You are there.

For it will be the seemingly slender fruit of tenderness

Rather than the saying of mortal foes that best warm people’s hearts

and which bids souls ‘Well-come’ to the Father’s own dwelling place.

Words and music by Robert Weston

Jo Garcia - cello

Christiane Von Albrecht - piano

God’s Dream by Charles Péguy(1873-1914)

The lovely music is an improvisation by Julia Herzog and Fontane Liang that we have called 'Fields of Saffron.'

The Lord God said:

I Myself will dream a dream within you…

Good dreams come from Me you know…

My dreams seem impossible

not too practical

not for the cautious man or woman

a little risky perhaps

a trifle brash perhaps

Some of My friends prefer

to rest more comfortably,

in sounder sleep,

with visionless eyes…

But from those who share My dreams

I ask a little more patience,

a little humour,

some small courage

and a listening heart

I will do the rest…

Then they will risk and wonder at their daring

Run – and marvel at their speed…

Build – and stand in awe at the beauty of their building…

You will meet Me often as you work…

in your companions who share the risk…

in your friends who believe in you enough

to lend their own hands

their own hearts to your building…

In the people who

will stand in your doorway, stay awhile,and walk away knowing that

they too can find a dream.

There will be sun-filled days, and sometimes it will rain…

A little variety…both come from me.

So come now, be content,

It is My dream you dream…My house you build,

My caring you witness, My love you share,

And this is the heart of the matter.