In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the Korean War and the division that still exists in the nation. They emphasize the importance of prayer and trust in God's sovereignty over human rulers and history. The speaker also highlights the North Korean perspective, where they view the war as a victory against American imperialism. However, the speaker encourages believers to look to God for true reunification, unity, and reconciliation. They emphasize the need for all Koreans to recognize Kim Jong-il as the father of the nation for complete wholeness.

Good evening, Chang Soo Kim here again, sitting in for Ben Tory while in the United States. He and Liz have had a busy few weeks, but at this point should be enjoying a bit of vacation. We trust that they will be well rested when they return to Korea next week. Last week he shared on labor as prayer. Tonight he has some more thoughts about prayer. This week a very specific prayer. Here's what he says. June 25th, a day that anyone in Korea remembers. 27 years ago, North Korea attacked and the Korean War began. To last three bloody years and leave the land as divided as before. But a lot more destroyed, broken and hurting. In North Korea they teach that it was the day that Kim Il-sung successfully drove the American imperialists and their lackeys, the South Koreans, back after their invasion of the North. They call the war the Great Victorious Fatherland Deliberation War and believe that Kim Il-sung led the nation to a great victory, even though the South still remains under burdensome American dominion. Today is called the Day of Struggle against U.S. imperialism and is the beginning of the month of solidarity with the Korean people against U.S. imperialism. This period ends on July 27th, which marks the end of the war and the day when North Koreans celebrate Kim Il-sung's great victory. Until the Soviet archives were opened during the 90s and Stalin's directives to Kim Il-sung were found, telling him to go ahead and invade the South as he wanted, many people believed the North Korean line about the U.S. launch in the attack. Even so, North Korean propaganda is still unchanged. So how do we as Christians respond to something like this? By prayer. Today is the worldwide day of prayer for North Korea. In many places around the world, this also marks the beginning of a week of prayer for the North. As we think back on the war itself and the division that still exists, we remind ourselves that God is sovereign over all human rulers and is the Lord of all history. While the nation is still divided, we look to him as the one who will bring true reunification, unity and reconciliation. North Korea still looks to bring all of Korea and all Koreans around the world under the rule of Kim Jong-il. This is top priority. As the father of the nation and the great son of the 21st century, Kim Jong-il personifies the Korean people, the Korean nation. As such, as long as the nation is divided, he is divided. He will not become fully whole within himself as long as there are Koreans who do not recognize him. This is the North Korea imperative towards unification. Christians on the other hand, see things from a very different point of view. While we cherish our nations and seek to serve as good patriots, we also acknowledge that we belong to a greater nation, the kingdom of God. In fact, it is precisely this that drives Kim Jong-il and drove his father Kim Il-sung before him to try to destroy Christianity. They cannot tolerate any authority higher than their own. So we pray, but how do we pray? Certainly we pray for an end to the division. We pray for all those who suffer in North Korean prisons and all those who languish without food and basic necessities. We also pray for the light of truth to penetrate the darkness and overcome the lies. There are many ways to pray. While many people find it difficult to think about, it is important that we also pray for Kim Jong-il and the rulers of North Korea to repent of their sins and come to accept Jesus Christ as their savior, that they be saved. We remember that there is no one who is beyond God's reach. There is no one whom he does not love, not even Kim Jong-il. As we think on these things, reflecting on the start of the Korean War and what it has come to mean in the North, as we join with Christians around the world in praying for North Korea, I come back again to that passage in Isaiah that I spoke about here back in January, Isaiah 62. It is God's wonderful promise of restoration for Jerusalem. We believe that this is God's promise given once again in this day and age for the Jerusalem of the East, Pyongyang. Remember that the chapter opens with God's great statement of his love and work for Jerusalem, for Pyongyang. For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory, and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will designate. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. This is God's love letter to North Korea, but he does not stop here. In verses 6 and 7, he calls on us to become ongoing intercessors for the sake of Jerusalem, for Pyongyang. On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen. All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves, and give him no rest until he establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. This is how we are to pray for North Korea. We are to pray unceasingly and to give God himself no rest until he does the very thing that he has promised, until he has raised up Pyongyang and North Korea from their place of darkness, fear, oppression, and hatred to be a diadem in his hand, a crown of beauty, a place, a city, and a nation that all the rulers of the world praise for integrity and justice, for righteousness and salvation. Can you even imagine that? It is God's promise and his command. As we think about this old war that still troubles our land, as we think about these old hurts and hatreds, about lives and human strivings for power, let us also remember God's great forgiveness and the victory that our Heavenly Father gained through the glorious offering of his Son, the true Son of Righteousness, who has risen with healing in his race. As we lift our voices in prayer for North Korea, let us also raise voices of praise and thanksgiving to our mighty Father for his wondrous love for all. Amen. Good night.