As Israel battles Iran, focus on people more than prophecy

When Israel is at war, it is only natural for Jews and Christians to turn to the Scriptures for inspiration, comfort and guidance.

That’s why Israel’s chief rabbis called for their communities to pray specific psalms, including Psalm 20, 121 and 130. And that’s why Rabbi Dov Lando, a leading ultra-Orthodox rabbi in Israel, “upon being briefed on the security situation,” issued a statement calling for more Torah study and prayer and then “immediately took a Book of Psalms and began praying for the entire nation.”

Other rabbis, during times of war in Israel, have pointed to Psalm 83, which seems to be timeless in its application:

“O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. ‘Come,’ they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.’ … May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD – that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:1-4, 17-18)

Yet again Israel finds itself in an existential battle with an archenemy, and yet again, appeal is made to God.

As for Christian believers, especially evangelical Christians, many look to the Bible at times like this for prophetic insight: Is this war predicted in the Scriptures? Are we approaching Armageddon? Is this the battle of Gog and Magog? Are we nearing the Lord’s return?

For those of us who believe that the reestablishment of the modern State of Israel is a fulfillment of ancient scriptural promises, such sentiments are not so farfetched. At some point, the argument goes, these other events will take place. Why not now?

But we make a big mistake at this time if our focus is primarily on prophecy. Instead, as followers of Jesus, when we look to the Middle East, our focus should be on people: people loved by God, people for whom Jesus died, in Israel and Iran and beyond. Let us not forget to pray for them!

And let us not forget to ask the most important question of all: What is God’s purpose in the midst of this war? When we pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,” what does our heavenly Father have in mind?

These are families, just like your families and not just statistics. These are scared children and concerned parents and young people with plans and dreams. Let us not forget about them.

But I’m not just talking about national security and the many people in extreme danger right now. I’m also talking about the advance of the gospel in the midst of the war.

In fact, one of the fastest-growing churches in the entire world is in Iran, despite great persecution and pressure. As reported by International Christian Concern in 2023: “For the past 44 years, there has been wave after wave of persecution against Iranians who decide to become Christians. To own a Bible in the national language of Farsi, is prohibited. Sharing the Christian faith with others is outlawed. Christian leaders have been arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned in the nation’s notorious Evin prison.

“Iran’s regime has even sentenced some to death under charges of apostasy and as spies threatening its Islamic system. The Iranian government refuses to acknowledge Iranian converts to Christianity and denies them all religious freedom.

“With such an environment, it would seem surprising to hear that in the past decade Iran has been one of the fastest-growing churches in the world. Some estimates point to a million or more Iranian converts to Christianity.”

God is moving in the midst of Iran! And God is moving in Israel, with more and more Israelis turning to Yeshua.

And thinking of the people of Iran, to whom Prime Minister Netanyahu sent a message of solidarity, saying that Israel’s battle was not with them but with the oppressive Islamic regime, could this be a time of liberation for the nation?

So, as you pray, don’t simply pray for God’s protection of Israel but also for His mercy on all the people of Israel and Iran and the Middle East, for His kingdom purposes to come to pass, for wickedness to be judged, and for a multitude of Jews and Muslims and others to turn their hearts to the one true God.

To repeat the words of Psalm 83, may Israel’s enemies “know that you, whose name is the LORD – that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”

May it be so!