As we watch the latest crisis in the Middle East unfold, Christians in Iran are on their knees praying for peace.

One Christian in western Iran, who lives near where the Iranian rockets were launched, said, “I heard each rocket being fired. It was so loud and frightening. The sky turned red for what seemed like hours. I prayed that God would have mercy on all of us. That no one would perish and that the war would not escalate.”

Numerous other Christians inside Iran are similarly interceding for the region. Thank you for joining in their cries to God for peace.

This increase in tensions has brought another level of lament among the ordinary people of Iran.

One Christian leader said, “The common feeling is that the Iranian regime is trying to make itself look strong, but is putting the whole population at risk. Naturally, this crisis is what everyone in Iran is talking about - at home, at work, in taxis. We must pray for all the Christians because it is actually an incredible opportunity to share the Gospel with people as they open up about their fears.”

As we intercede together for the Middle East, please pray for:

• Restraint from all sides and for this conflict to de-escalate.

• The Lord to raise up peacemakers who can speak with wisdom, authority and clarity in this atmosphere of antagonism and aggression.

• The church in both Iran and Israel as they get on their knees to pray and as they rise to continue sharing the hope of the Gospel amid fear and uncertainty.

Thank you for praying. Whatever the future may hold, we trust that Jesus will continue to "build His church" (Matthew 16:18). And so our mission remains the same: to strengthen and expand the church in the Iran region and beyond.