Pray as Israel and Iran situation escalates

In the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a large-scale pre-emptive strike involving over 200 aircraft and covert sabotage operations against Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. The strikes reportedly killed top Revolutionary Guard commanders, including Gen. Hossein Salami and Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, as well as nuclear scientists. Dozens of civilians were also injured, including children, in the blasts across Tehran and Isfahan. In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel. The entire region is now on high alert, with disrupted airspace, surging oil prices, and mounting international pressure for de-escalation.

Amid this crisis, Iran Christian minority faces particular peril. Under Iran’s theocratic regime, Christians – especially converts from Islam – already live under severe restrictions. Religious freedom monitors note that such converts “face severe religious freedom violations,” often being viewed as Western-influenced threats to the state. Both leaders and ordinary members of house churches are frequently arrested and given long prison terms on vague “acting against national security by connecting with ‘Zionist’ Christian organizations” charges. With tensions now erupting between Iran and Israel, persecution-watchers warn that Iranian Christians will be even more vulnerable to suspicion and repression.
 

Please pray

1. Lift up the Iranian people, who have long suffered. While many deeply long for freedom, dignity, and justice in their homeland, they do not wish to see it come at the cost of more innocent lives. Pray that change would come in a way that brings healing, not destruction – that God would open Iran without war, through a movement of truth, peace, and transformation.
2. Pray for peace across the region. As war drums beat louder, ask God to intervene and protect the vulnerable – children, families, minorities, the elderly – from the devastating consequences of military escalation. May leaders on all sides pursue wisdom and restraint,  and may the Prince of Peace rule where fear and violence try to take hold.
3. Cry out for spiritual breakthrough. Iranian Christians have been praying for years that their nation would open up to the gospel, that house churches would multiply freely, and that the Bible would no longer be banned. Pray that this suffering would not be in vain – that in these days of crisis, many would encounter Christ through dreams, visions, and the courageous witness of believers. May the Church in Iran not only survive but shine brighter – a testimony to God’s faithfulness in the darkest times.
4. Pray for imprisoned Iranian Christians, especially those who have been falsely accused of being connected to Israel simply because of their faith. Many are awaiting trial or serving long sentences under vague “national security” charges. Ask for God's powerful protection over them – that judges’ hearts would be softened, legal cases would collapse, and justice would prevail. May their families be comforted, and may they feel the prayers of the global Church surrounding them.
5. Pray also for our brothers and sisters in Israel who have been suffering because of the attacks on their country in this war on different fronts too.
6. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, (in Gaza and West Bank), for the losses of loved ones or friends, for those who lost their homes, for those in Gaza who live in constant fear since the war started in Oktober 2023. Pray also that the retaliations of Iran won’t hit their areas as they don’t have shelters to hide.
7. The Christians in Iraq have witnessed many years of war and displacement. Every new war reminds them of what they went through in the past decades. Pray for comfort and healing. Pray also that their country won’t be involved.