The Middle East stands at a a crossroads. For years, Iran has worked towards a clear objective, stating “the destruction of Israel is non-negotiable.” For the most part, however, Iran uses proxy groups strike Israel. Now, however, that may be about to change.

On July 31 at 2 a.m. local time, Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran’s capital. Although Israel has not taken responsibility for the attack, many were quick to blame the Jewish nation on account of its current war against Hamas in Gaza.

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Iran immediately blamed Israel for the attack. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said as much publicly, claiming that Israel would receive a “severe punishment.” He also signaled that Iran would retaliate, stating, “We see avenging [Haniyeh’s] blood our duty.” Khamenei told Iran’s Supreme National Security Council in an emergency meeting just hours after Haniyeh’s death that the nation would “strike Israel directly.”

Meanwhile, Israel seems to be preparing for war. Prime Minister Netanyahu has promised to “exact a very heavy price for any act of aggression against [Israel] from any front.” He claimed that his nation is “at a very high level of readiness for any scenario, both defensively and offensively.”

Should Iran attack Israel directly, it would not be the first time. In April, Iran struck Israel with drones and missiles alongside its proxies after the killing of several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members. At the time, Israel was able to effectively defend itself with the help of allies fostered through the Trump-era Abraham Accords. Israel declared readiness for any attack. Supreme Leader Khamenei, meanwhile, told his military commanders to prepare attack and defense plans.

As tensions rise and strikes loom on the horizon, it is clear that Israel and Iran are at the brink of war.

Pray for Israel’s Leaders

The Bible instructs us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Our prayers are vitally important at this time in history.

Israel’s leaders face an increasingly difficult situation. They must protect their people, stand against antisemitism, and respond to terrorism both inside and outside their nation’s borders. They must also do so while appealing to allies and nations that are turning on them in record numbers. International pressure on Israel has been mounting since Hamas’ initial attack on October 7, and every day of conflict increases the chances of a worldwide war breaking out.

With tensions rising and the world’s eyes on them, these leaders need our prayers:

• Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the state of Israel, formerly served in the IDF
• Yoav Gallant, Israel’s Minister of Defense and a former IDF commander
• Herzi Halevi, Chief of the General Staff, the highest ranking officer in the IDF
• Tamir Yadai, Major general of the Israeli Ground Forces branch of the IDF
• Tomer Bar, Major general of the Israeli Air Force branch of the IDF
• David Saar Salama, Major general of the Israeli Navy branch of the IDF

Pray for Israel and America

As intercessors, we know that Israel is America’s greatest ally. The Bible tells us that God will bless those who bless Israel (Genesis 12:3), so we pray that America will assist Israel in its time of need.

President Biden has wavered in his support of Israel since Oct. 7. However, he recently spoke to Netanyahu over the phone to discuss ways that the U.S. will protect Israel from an Iranian attack, including new military deployments. We pray that our nation would help bring victory to Israel over terrorism.

Pray for Iran’s Leaders

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 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.

Pray that the plans of these leaders to destroy America and Israel would come to nothing, for salvation of these men, and for growth of the church in Iran.

• Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader
• Mohammad-Reza Gharaei, Ashtiani Minister of Defence
• Mohammad Bagheri, Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran Chief of Staff
• Hossein Salami, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief

Iran funds several Islamic terrorist groups and militias throughout the Middle East. These groups work to oppose and attack America and Israel at every turn. They need our prayers just as much as Iran’s leaders do.

While Hamas has been in the spotlight following its attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, it is only one of many groups. The four terrorist groups listed below all assisted Iran in attacking Israel in April, and Iran could likely tap them again for another coordinated attack.

Just as with the Iranian leaders, pray that the murderous plans of these proxies would come to ruin, and that their leaders would come to know the Lord:

There is no telling when Iran will attack, only that they will attack. Likewise, there is no telling how Israel will respond and whether a war will break out between the two nations.

We DO know, however, that prayer can shift nations and shape history — that belief is at the core of Intercessors for America.

As you intercede over Iran and Israel, we encourage you to pray through these 4 prayer points and scriptures:

Pray for divine wisdom. Pray that God would grant Israel’s leaders divine wisdom. Pray that He would show them how to defeat their enemies and how to protect their people. Above all else, pray that Israel’s leaders would seek Him for guidance and fear the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise (Psalm 111:10).

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7).

Pray for confusion in the enemy’s camp. As Iran and its allies plan to attack Israel, pray that they would be met with confusion. Pray that the Spirit of the Lord would disrupt their plans just as He did for Israel’s enemies in the Old Testament, and that all attacks would come to nothing.

I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run (Exodus 23:27).

Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who seek to destroy my life; let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil (Psalm 40:14).

Pray for Israel’s allies. Many nations have turned their backs on Israel over the war in Gaza. Pray that, as Iran prepares to attack, the nations of the world would be united behind God’s people. Pray especially that America would support Israel in its time of need.

I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel (Joel 3:2a).

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

Pray for salvation. Neither the Jewish people nor the Arabs who call for their destruction know the Lord Jesus Christ; salvation is found only through the Messiah and Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that the leaders of Israel and Iran will radically encounter Him.

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:11-12).

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12).

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Photo credit: Ron Przysucha/U.S. Department of State from United States and Khamenei.ir, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49519909.