In the midst of the conflict with Iran, a high-risk mission to rescue an American pilot whose fighter jet had been shot down over enemy territory was carried out over the weekend. Approximately 200 personnel were deployed to recover a single individual, involving dozens of elite special operations forces, multiple aircraft, and a coordinated deception campaign by the CIA. Reports circulating on social media also claimed that Iranian civilians took to the streets, blocking the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and helping prevent the capture of the pilot and another airman by the regime.

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John Ratcliffe, CIA director, said: “It was comparable to hunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desert.”

It became a race against time to determine whether U.S. forces or Iranian forces would reach the downed airman first. President Trump stated that the pilot followed his training by moving into treacherous mountainous terrain and climbing to a higher altitude—standard procedure for evading capture. The pilot successfully avoided enemy forces and eventually transmitted an emergency signal. Pete Hegseth later said, “When he was finally able to activate his emergency transponder, his first message was simple, and it was powerful. He sent a message: ‘God is good.’”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a massive search operation and put a bounty on the pilot’s head.

John Ratcliffe stated, “Our intelligence reflects that the Iranians were embarrassed and ultimately humiliated by the success of this audacious rescue mission.”

U.S. air support struck Iranian forces as they closed in to capture the U.S. Air Force colonel, but it was too late for them—American air power overwhelmed and destroyed the advancing units.

In the words of President Trump, “We got ‘em.” He went on to say, “When you go into these areas, you don’t come out like we came out. God was watching us.”

“Shot down on a Friday…Good Friday…hidden in a cave, a crevice, all of Saturday, and rescued on Sunday…flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter Sunday. A pilot reborn, all home and accounted for….a nation rejoicing. God is good,” said Pete Hegseth.

President Trump calls it an Easter miracle.

The U.S. Air Force colonel—a weapons officer of the downed F-15E Strike Eagle—climbed the equivalent height of roughly seven Eiffel Towers, ascending a grueling 7,000-foot ridge in the Zagros Mountains. Despite serious injuries — and a sprained ankle, he pressed on through pain and exhaustion to reach a narrow crevice where he could hide and evade capture. Every step was a test of endurance and survival. His determination calls to mind the words of the Book of Isaiah 40:31: “They will mount up on wings like eagles; they will run, and not grow weary; they will walk, and not become faint.”

This was the second of two rescue operations following the downing of the F-15E jet on Friday, April 3, 2026. The first pilot was recused shortly after the crash on Friday.

Historically, when government leaders honor and serve God, it leads to divine preservation and intervention. Both President Trump and Pete Hegseth publicly invoked faith and acknowledged God. In the Bible, King David is described as a man after God’s own heart, and when he followed the Lord’s will, his kingdom experienced repeated victories and blessings.

There is a stark contrast between the U.S. military under the leadership of President Trump and its direction under Joe Biden. During the Biden administration, thousands of faithful servicemen were dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 jab, with 16,643 requests for religious accommodation denied.

Under Biden, Easter Sunday in 2024 was marked as Transgender Day of Visibility, deeply conflicting with one of Christianity’s most sacred days. In contrast, under President Trump, there have been public declarations emphasizing faith, including statements affirming that God is watching over the nation, and references to the Easter miracle.

Many also recall that during the Biden administration, military leadership at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center issued a “cease and desist” order to Catholic chaplains during Holy Week in April 2023, restricting them from performing certain pastoral duties, including caring for the sick and the wounded.

Later in 2023, Major David Worley was unlawfully removed from command for expressing biblical beliefs on sexuality outside of the military environment. This followed a complaint from a subordinate who identified as homosexual. The officer had expressed Christian views on human sexuality and other LGBT-related issues. According to reports, the investigating officer encouraged the Idaho Army National Guard to adopt a policy scrutinizing the religious and political beliefs of future full-time National Guard duty candidates.

Under the Biden administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported that it had received approximately 1,500 complaints alleging anti-Christian bias and had reviewed 500 of them.

These are just a few of many stories in which religious freedom was violated within the military under the Biden administration.

What a striking contrast this is to Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War, who openly prays with the troops, and in the Pentagon, giving glory to God. He has publicly declared his faith, saying, “Every single day… all power, all honor, and all glory belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ is King.” Similarly, President Trump publicly proclaims the name of the Lord, offering thanks and glory to God, and has committed to rededicating America back to Him. A phenomenal example of this faith in action was seen in the miraculous rescue of the fighter pilots.

Under this leadership, godly values and religious freedom are not only accepted—they are welcomed, encouraged, and honored, not stifled or blocked.

When we reflect on George Washington at Valley Forge, bending his knee to Almighty God, we are moved nearly to tears, recognizing that it is only by our Savior’s grace and power that battles have been won.

If there is any story that overtly demonstrates the power of prayer, it is the story of the rescued fighter pilots. This should spur us on in prayer and intercession. I know it can get wearisome. I know that sometimes it feels like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, or worse, that they are being answered in the exact opposite direction. But God! What a God we serve! Look at what the Lord can do—there is not a mountain He cannot move! Seeing our prayers and intercession answered in real time is like jet fuel to our souls and spirits! Thank You, God! Hallelujah!!!

I am confident that as intercessors, we have all felt led to pray Psalm 91. Look at the recent prayer guide for the military (inspired by the Holy Spirit poured out through IFA Contributing Writer Gloria Robles), all based on Psalm 91.

These men were surely hidden under the shadow of His wings—one tucked into the crevice of the mountain, witnessing only the punishment of the wicked, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps closing in on him, but then being decimated before his eyes. He was set on high and delivered! The other was rescued from evil shortly after the fighter jet went down. If this is not a demonstration of the weapons of our warfare—prayers answered in real time—I do not know what is.

This serves as an urgent reminder: when the Lord places someone or something on your heart for which to pray or act upon, do it! He calls us to partner with Him to accomplish His will. What a tremendous honor and responsibility this is! What miracle-working power is at work within us because of Him! As Romans 8:11 declares, “The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.”

Remember in John 4:46-54 where a royal official traveled from Capernaum to Cana to beg Jesus to heal his dying son. Jesus told him, “Go, your son will live.” The man trusted His word. When he returned to his home, his servants met him, reporting that his son was healed at the seventh hour, the exact moment when Jesus spoke.

There is perfect timing to all of this. We can all likely share stories of how God intervened at a specific time when we or others were prompted to pray and intercede.

Every time we—or our loved ones—arrive safely to and from our destinations, and every day that President Trump, his administration, our troops, and their families are kept safe—or, in this case, rescued—this is answered prayer. This is the fruit of faithful prayer warriors awakened during the third watch and throughout all hours, called to intercede. This is the result of obedience to the call God has placed on us. Truly, we have been called for such a time as this.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us.” Hebrews 12:1

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April Walker loves God and seeks to serve Him in all she does. She is a proud mom of a 19-year old son, a PA State Co-leader for IFA, a former School Board Director, an organizer for NDOP and ASHP events, a candidate for the GOP Committee for Carbon County, an occupational Therapist, and a vocalist. She feels that writing for and working with IFA brings all her passions together. Photo Credit: DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza.