The world news is drawing attention to the conflict between Iran and Israel!
As world leaders endeavor to bring a resolution, we seek your earnest intercession to avert a major crisis.
We pray that God’s Sovereign Hand will guide leaders and situations to bring peace.
Peace and quiet are God’s ultimate purpose in prayer, as He admonished us to pray:
“for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. “
1 Timothy 2:1-2
In the past, Middle East conflicts has caused unbearable consequences to the rest of the world due to rising oil prices and other economic and security impacts. Poor nations, in particular, will be severely affected by the rising cost of living and other financial challenges.
Such tensions can also impede the progress of the Mission of God in terms of freedom to travel and other activities, especially in the Middle East.
While we believe in God’s prophetic destiny for Israel, the greatest need in both countries is access to the Gospel and Evangelization.
The conflict in the Middle East has been primarily Arab-Israeli fighting with the immediate neighbors. However, this direct conflict is with Iran, which is not Arab, but Persian, a people who are part of Biblical history.
A War You Can Not Take Sides:
Since there is so much to be done in both Nations in terms of Missions, a war can be a hindrance to fulfilling the Great Commission in each nation.
While fears of all-out war and nuclear weapons are looming, in terms of Missions Intercession, the salvation and eternal destiny of millions of souls must take priority over all other needs. While the world media is bringing attention to other areas of war, let us pray for the War for Souls in Israel and Iran.
Israel:
Israel, which has 9.5 million people,
only 2% are Christian, of which only 0.4% are Evangelical believers!
Only around 12,000 Jews recognize Jesus as their Messiah!
The Christian Church in Israel is majority Arab, 80%, 12% expatriates (Egyptian, Ethiopian, Greek, Russian, Armenian, Italian, others), and 8% Jews. There are Catholics (five rites), Orthodox (nine traditions), and Protestants/Independents (over 20 denominations, numerous individual congregations, and more than 100 mission agencies).
Messianic Jews are now an undeniable part of Israeli society, but growth also brings persecution.
An Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics survey published in 2021 found that among Israeli Jews over the age of 20, about 45% identified as secular or not religious, while 33% said they practiced “traditional” religious worship
Iran:
Iran has a population of 92 million,
of which 98.6% are Muslims,
0.5% are Christians,
only 0.2% are Evangelical Believers.
The Islamic Revolution of 1979 promised peace and prosperity, but more than 40 years later, an increasing number of people are breaking free from their shackles. Widespread protests in 2022 demonstrated that the younger generation is fed up with the legacy of oppression, bloodshed, cruel ‘justice’, corruption, economic hardship, and cultural isolation from most of the world.
Despite external religiosity, drug addiction and prostitution are widespread. Iran is an ancient, noble, and proud civilization. However, in the modern era, these struggles have made many people more receptive to the gospel. Pray that Iranians’ desires for greatness, prosperity, freedom, and even for righteousness might ultimately be met through worship of Jesus.
We share this information for prayer for both nations, as provided by ‘Operation World.‘
War for Souls in Israel:
While Christians around the world stand with Israel and many millions of Christians travel there to visit holy sites, very few have gone there to share the Gospel, or even to pray for mission work. Praying for the ‘Peace of Jerusalem’ must also be accompanied by praying for the preaching of the ‘Prince of Peace’ to Israel.
We seek intercessors like Paul who prayed:
‘Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. ‘ Romans 10:1
He was so impassioned for them that he was even willing to even lose his soul to win the lost!
‘I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, ‘ Romans 9:2-3
More than winning a military war, winning the lost souls in Israel must grip the Churches around the world. Let us pray that there will be open hearts among the Jewish people to receive salvation.
Good News about Iran:
Massive numbers of Iranians have come to Jesus in recent years!
From only 500 Muslim-background believers in 1979, some estimates suggest the number is even greater than 1 million just in Iran alone. A large number of Persian people have also encountered the risen Christ outside of Iran. While hundreds of thousands of Iranians have indicated that they are Christian, only a fraction actively participate in church life.
Even so, the Church in Persia has not grown this fast since the 7th century.
In Iran, a person can receive a death sentence for apostasy (abandoning religious faith). Despite this, 50,000 mosques have closed in recent years as Iranians are disillusioned with both the regime and with Islam. This growth is a remarkable move of the Holy Spirit, with many signs and wonders, dreams and visions.
At the same time, Iran is one of the most persecuted countries in the world. Many Christians are in prisons and are suffering for their faith. It ranks 9/50 in the persecution ranking.
Iran contains some of the largest Unreached People in the World.
Bibles are in very short supply and very high demand – 10 million Bibles would be readily received. It is illegal to print and distribute the Scriptures, yet they continue to slip into the country. Several ministries, especially Elam Ministries and Open Doors, focus on increasing the availability of Scripture to Iranians.
Thank You for Praying!
Join in a special 30-day Prayer for Israel and Iran organized by
International Prayer Council:
Sources: Operation World:
Israel.
Iran.
Pic: ASPM magazine