As I sit to write this article, news is breaking that the United States and Israel have together begun “military action” against the Islamic dictators who control Iran. No one knows how this will develop. The worst scenario is other countries joining Iran and escalating this into a world-wide conflict. Even if this doesn’t happen, as always with war, there will be casualties. How do we respond to this situation?

 

We pray. Here are some things to pray for:

 

1. The defeat of the Iranian ruling regime. The moral justification for this action is not in doubt. Iran and its proxies in the Middle East have killed tens of thousands through their violent, terrorist actions: Al-Queda, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, and terrorist cells around the world are support by Iran. Beyond this, the Shia Islamic leaders in Iran have violently oppressed the Persian residents of Iran. For this reason, we pray for their overthrow.

 

1. The safety of Iranian citizens. In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in a cry for freedom from their Islamic dictators. In response, tens of thousands have been killed. Iran Alive, a ministry that has led thousands of Iranians to faith in Christ, has broadcast the cries of Persian Christians (Iran is ancient Persia) for freedom of religion. Pray for safety as this battle intensifies.

 

1. Our servicemen and women, and those of Israel, who will be engaged in this action. This military effort will be dangerous, and our prayer is that those who are leading the attack will be protected.

 

1. For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Trump, and the political and military leaders entrusted with making decisions in this time. Make no mistake: This is not just a physical conflict. Behind evil governments are evil forces in heavenly places. This is a time to pray for those in positions of power to submit themselves to God and His will.

 

And to be very specific: Pray for our missionaries, Vlad and Yulia Mitnitsky, who with other Israelis have been forced into bomb shelters repeatedly through this day. Pray for them to have opportunities to share the gospel with others who are looking for peace in a troubled world.