In surprising news over the weekend, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amiradollahian, and six other passengers were killed in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border. These men could definitely be called “kings and princes” of Iran.

Post a prayer for your state!

View Comments (18)

Iran is often called a rogue nation, part of an axis of evil, and the author of global terrorism. We see the effects of this nation’s policies not just in the Middle East, but also here in America. Iran’s leaders are clear about their national objectives: first to eradicate the “Saturday people” (the Jews), and then the “Sunday people” (Christians). The United States is called the “Great Satan” by the ayatollahs who lead Iran, while Israel is the “little Satan.” Both are to be eradicated or dominated at all costs by Iran and Islamic fundamentalists.

These reports are true; small ‘t’ true. We know that they are an accurate description in the natural of the nation of Iran and its effects. But God’s Word is a big ‘T’ truth and has authority over all heaven and earth. Our God is the king of kings and the Lord of Lords, and the future of every nation is in his hands (Rev. 17:14)

Approaching every headline, every news event, every reported threat, we seek to know the Lord’s heart and His will regarding each person, each nation, and people group. So how do we pray about Iran?

Biblical Prophecy and Iran

The nation of Iran has two biblical names: Elam and Persia. In biblical prophecy, the term Elam is most often used. What or who is biblical Elam? One can trace the name back to Noah (Gen. 10:22) where Elam is listed as a son of Shem, grandson of Noah. This grandson of Noah may have given his name to the south and west of the region now known as Iran. The Elamite people descended from him.

By the time of Abraham (Gen. 14), Elam was at war with other nations led by their king, Chedorlaomer. Abraham became involved when they kidnapped Lot as a spoil of war. Abraham heard and went with 318 members of his household, recapturing Lot, and recovering all the spoils of war (Gen. 14:16).

The ancient capital of this region was Susa, the location of the book of Esther. Many of Persia/Elam’s kings blessed the Jewish people including Ahasuerus, Cyrus and Darius (see Esther 9, Isaiah 45, Ezra 6). However, the ancient demonic spirit of Amalek also operated there through Haman attempting to annihilate the Jews of Persia through trickery, accusation and lawfare. We know how that story ended! (Esther 9:1)

Prophecies in the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah also mention Elam (See Isa. 11:11, 21:2, 22:6; Jer. 25:25). At the end of Jeremiah 49 there is a prophecy which provides a framework for prayer in our day.

I Will Set My Throne in Elam

The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. And I will bring upon Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven. And I will scatter them to all those winds, and there shall be no nation to which those driven out of Elam shall not come. I will terrify Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, my fierce anger, declares the Lord. I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them, and I will set my throne in Elam and destroy their king and officials, declares the Lord.

“But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam, declares the Lord.” Jer.49:34-39

It is important when reading prophetic scriptures to remember that there may be several fulfillments of each, sometimes happening in parts over time. We must know too that these prophetic words represent real events which our Father in heaven, the only perfect judge, has decreed.

In Jeremiah 49, the Lord declares that He is going to break the bow of Elam. It is interesting that the symbol of Islam is a crescent – a bow. Bows in scripture also represent military strength in a nation. We could even look at the influence that Iran has over the nations surrounding it as a crescent that comes out to gather in those nations. What a blessing it will be to Israel and to the people of Iran suffering under the current regime when God does what He says — when He breaks the “bow of Elam . . . the mainstay of their might.”

The next parts of the prophecy are difficult to interpret. These sections (v. 36-37) describe judgments God will bring against Elam, and they are reminiscent of those brought against Israel, “scattering them to all the four quarters of heavens, declaring that there shall be no nation to which those driven out shall not go.” We know that many Iranians have left that land desiring greater freedom. Even the crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, now lives in the United States of America, and is a vocal supporter of Israel!

As in many of the Lord’s judgment prophecies, He first declares how He will bring judgment and then describes how He will redeem and restore. He will “set His throne in Elam” and “destroy their kings and princes” but in the “latter days He will restore their fortunes.” The Lord alone knows the seasons and the days (Acts 1:7).

The Lord loves the people of Iran, the Persian nation of Elam. He is setting His throne in their midst! We know that the gospel is spreading like wildfire through this nation, with many testifying that it is the fastest growing church on earth despite harsh persecution (See Sheep Among Wolves ). His mercy is triumphing over His judgment! He says to them, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13 CSB).

Let’s Pray

Father, we come before you as followers of the Lamb, desiring to love and pray for our enemies, and so be sons and daughters of You who are in heaven! We bless those who threaten us, who malign Your name, and actively seek the destruction of Your people Israel. We ask for an even greater move of the gospel in the nation of Iran resulting in Your throne being set up, and the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might, being shattered. We pray that women, children, men, ayatollahs, imams, terrorist leaders and their followers, would all meet the Man in white and be transferred forever from the Kingdom of darkness fully into the Kingdom of your Son, the Jewish Messiah.

Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. We desire Your mercy to triumph over judgment. We declare that You are the only perfect and righteous judge and we thank You that you are setting up your throne in that nation even now. Your Word says that You Yourself will destroy their kings and their princes. We know that Your word also says that You desire that none should perish and all be saved so we cry out for Iran’s leaders that they would bow down and kiss the Son lest he be angry and they perish in their way (Ps. 2:12). We thank You that Your desire is to bring back the captives of Elam, the Iranian people and restore the fortunes of that nation under Your king, Jesus. We agree and say, “Do it now Lord! Save Your people in Iran and save Your people in all the nations where the bow of Elam has caused destruction, deception, and death.

As many of the former kings of that nation have blessed the nation of Israel, we ask You to unlock from the heavenly realms the blessings accrued to Iran because they blessed Your people (Gen. 12:15). Pour out Your spirit on that nation from the eldest to the youngest, bringing to the Lamb of God the full reward of His suffering. We ask you to do this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

Please share this insight with a friend!

Lori Meed is a leader on IFA’s Headline Prayer Live and an IFA contributing writer. In 2004, God moved her family from Canada to the U.S., imparting to them His heart for this country and for revival. Having walked out her own journey of freedom after being radically born again in 1992, Lori has a heart to see others set free to walk fully in their destiny. She is also passionate about teaching on aliyah (“going up,” the return of the Jews to the land of Israel), the feasts of the Lord, and the rich connections of the gentile churches to Israel. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons.