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Israel eliminates military targets in its enemy country, Iran.

Iran retaliates with a missile barrage.

Israel retaliates by eliminating missile launching sites and storage facilities.

And so it goes. It is the nature of war that has become all too common in the Middle East since the earliest recorded history in the Old Testament.

As you pray for the situation involving these two nations, keep a few things in mind:

(1) Iran is, essentially, a theocracy built on the Shiia Islam religion. Their nation has vowed to destroy Israel.

(2) Although Israel is not a theocracy, it is defined by its significant governmental and social ties to Judaism.

(3)  There are faithful Christians in both nations. Christians in Israel are apparently more plentiful because they can openly worship without fear of persecution. The church in Iran is mostly underground for fear of the government, which hinders our ability to know how many believers there are.

(4) War kills people who believe in the gospel of God (Mark 1:14-15) and those who do not yet believe. It is a tragic part of our fallen sinful state.

Therefore, pray for the church and the believers in both countries. Pray that they can use this opportunity to share the love of Jesus with care and compassion wherever the need appears. Pray for the flourishing of the gospel in both countries.

What man cannot do, God can. Pray for the precious lives that need to hear the Word of God and come to faith.

Soli Deo Gloria!