[Prayer] May the Work of Salvation Unto Life Continue Unceasingly

Russia, which has officially acknowledged the deployment of North Korean troops, has for the first time released footage of these troops undergoing combat training in Kursk. In the video, North Korean soldiers are seen following their commander’s instructions, firing live ammunition from rifles, launching portable anti-tank rockets (RPGs), throwing grenades, and conducting trench assault exercises. What particularly drew attention was the song the soldiers sang during the training. Instead of traditional military songs, they were captured marching together while singing a newly produced propaganda song from last year titled “Affectionate Father.” This song praises Kim Jong-un as a “leader who embraces with love and compassion.”

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:9–10

God, who gave Your only Son to save us, have mercy upon the young North Korean men who, in a distant land for the sake of a ruthless dictator trying to preserve his regime through the bloodshed of his soldiers. May the gospel of Jesus Christ — who died not for a tyrant to be defended, but for sinners to be saved — spread throughout all of North Korea. Let there be an unending movement of salvation, as those who hear this gospel receive the gift of eternal life.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.