Urgent Request for Prayer Regarding Iran
As a follow-up to yesterday's post regarding civil and spiritual authorities working together, today I want to speak more directly about the need for prayer regarding the war in Iran.
The fruit of completely separating the governmental and spiritual realms in our country has created many problems. Apart from causing unrighteous laws and moral decay, it also subconsciously creates a lack of prayer for our government leaders. Regarding Iran, for example, it is unlikely that even one out of 1000 professing Christians EVER prays for our President and his team as they navigate the situation in the Middle East. The typical American feels that once we elect government leaders, it’s their responsibility to manage the economy, legislation, wars, and a myriad of other civil matters. We subconsciously think: Our part in the governmental thing, thank goodness, is finished until the next election. In the meantime, we have a lot of other things to take care of.
However, 1 Timothy 2:2 tells us that if we want to live tranquil and peaceful lives, it will require us to pray faithfully for governmental leaders. Simple logic, then, tells us that if we DON’T pray for them, this will NOT happen. Good intentions and human wisdom, even by godly individuals, are not adequate when it comes to leading a nation. This is why Solomon voiced his appropriate concern to God, “Who is able to judge Your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9). This is also why He asked God for wisdom and understanding when beginning his kingly rule.
Solomon’s father, the great King David, a man after God's heart (Acts 13:22), also needed spiritual help in order to govern effectively. He sought direction from prophets and priests, and specifically relied on the tribe of Issachar’s discernment during times of war (1 Chronicles 12:1, 32, 38). David knew Israel’s wars were spiritual as well as physical, and that he needed supernatural help.
When physical wars are occurring on the earth, you can be certain that the invisible, spiritual realm is very involved. At times, more than others. The spiritual forces of darkness, spoken of throughout Scripture, are always attempting to control people and places. Stealing, killing, and destroying are their forte (John 10:10). The violence and insatiable craving for power held by previous and current dictators such as Mao, Hitler, Stalin, Castro, Putin, Xi Jinping, Islamic terrorist groups, and other evil people is motivated by satan and his forces. Guaranteed.
Today’s ruthless, bloodthirsty, Islamist terrorist regime in Iran that hates Israel and America, and wants to dominate the entire region, is controlled by demonic powers. The sanctity of human life means nothing to them, nor does seeing people suffer. Even the thought of their own deaths doesn’t bother them; in their minds, they just get to their eternal harem more quickly. Their agendas of killing Jews and Americans, taking over the region, and eventually ruling the world are all that matters. They WOULD use a nuclear weapon if they had one. They. Are. Evil. And so are their proxies: Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
President Trump knows all of this, as does Israel, and decided that after 47 years of them stealing, killing, and destroying Americans and their neighbors, they had to be stopped–especially when being so close to possessing a nuclear weapon.
But again, the war is not just physical; it is spiritual. Principalities, powers, world rulers of darkness, and demonic forces are very much involved. We cannot expect our government and military to deal with the spiritual forces; this is the responsibility of the church. As we do so effectively, those in positions of governmental authority can accomplish what they must do. Jesus told us that we, His Ekklesia, would need to bind and loose (forbid and allow) the spiritual forces of darkness (Matthew 16:19), and we must do so.
A very important Old Testament passage in Exodus 17 illustrates the dual levels of war on earth. In this chapter, Israel was attacked by Amalekites, and Joshua led the army of Israel into battle against them. God's battle strategy for Israel was unusual, to say the least. He told Moses to go up on a mountain overlooking the battlefield, taking with him Aaron, Hur, and the rod He had given him; Moses was to hold it aloft over the battlefield. This staff symbolized God’s authority, in much the same way a king’s scepter represents his. It had done so throughout Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, representing God’s authority and releasing His power. Raising this rod over the battlefield was exalting God’s authority over the battle. It wasn’t magic, but it did release an unseen force and taught Israel that the key to victory was operating under the authority of the Lord. This, and this alone, would give them victory, even in war.
In confirmation of this, Scripture tells us that as Moses’ arms grew weary and he could no longer hold up the rod, the battle would turn against Israel. When his hands were kept high with the rod extended, the battle would go in Israel’s favor. This was obviously not a morale issue–the soldiers were not watching Moses as they fought. The cause of the momentum swings lay completely beyond their conscious minds, caused by forces operating in the invisible realm. Unseen forces were controlling the outcome. Eventually, Aaron and Hur had to support Moses’ arms. As they did, Israel won the battle.
The Application for Today
The war with Iran is without a doubt spiritual, as well as physical. The forces of darkness behind Iran are opposing America, the church, Israel, and God's planned harvest in the Middle East. We, the church, must rise up and do our part. In the same way that millions of people prayed during World War II and helped turn the tide against Hitler, our prayers today can help turn the tide against radical Islamic evil.
Do not be deceived into thinking the war is only militaristic or physical; don’t fall into the trap of expecting President Trump and our military to prevail without our help. I am asking you that for a season, you will commit to daily prayer regarding this, even if only for a few minutes. Whether that be in your devotional prayer time, on your commute, as you do chores around the house, or in gatherings with others, I am asking you to become consistent in your prayers for this. Let’s do our part–we can turn the tide!
I am also asking that if you believe this is a word from the Lord, you will help spread the word. I would love to see the request go viral.
Pray with me:
Father, we acknowledge the role You have given the church in influencing earth’s affairs. We also acknowledge the partnership You intended between civil and spiritual authority. We must work together. As we do, it releases order on the earth, allowing for peace and security.
When You taught us to pray in Matthew 6, You told us to ask for deliverance from the evil one. We do so, asking for deliverance from the evil one and his actions throughout Iran. Deliver the people of the Middle East from the principalities and powers that operate there; break their diabolical hold. Overthrow evil leaders. Cause them to make mistakes in their planning, expose their hiding places, dry up their finances, and create great confusion and division among them. End their reign of terror.
Give our military supernatural help and brilliant strategies. Protect our troops, our military bases, the innocent people of Iran, and the nations surrounding them. Protect Israel from every diabolical plan to harm them. We declare the release of Your Kingdom authority in that region and in this war, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Our decree:
We declare confusion and defeat to the powers of darkness operating in Iran.