What Is the Christian Response to the War in Iran?

As we’ve been watching the news unfold for the last week, one story has been at the top of the headlines. Perhaps you have been wondering a question like I have. 

What is the Christian response to the war in Iran?  

Before I share my thoughts, let me qualify that I am speaking to this issue not as a politician, nor as a fellow citizen, but as your pastor. Like you, I have a personal responsibility as a citizen to use the responsibility entrusted to me to influence our government and her decisions through the channels provided for me. In the role I have as your pastor, though, I’m not going to tell you who you should vote for, or how you should use your influence. What I am called to do is to offer guidance based on Scripture for how we live out our Christian faith in a complex world filled with many issues. 

The first response of Christians to the war in Iran is prayer. 

Among the many news articles I read this week, one stood out as different - a Christian publication called Relevant. What struck me about this article is it presented the viewpoint of the Iranian Christians who have been meeting in secret for years out of fear of punishment for being followers of Jesus. As I read the article, I realized that I had been praying for those who have lost loved ones in this conflict, as well as for those who have been caught in collateral damage. I’ve prayed for wisdom for our leaders and for their discernment to determine the best course of action that causes the least harm and brings the most good. But I hadn’t been praying for the Christians in Iran. 

This realization brought me to my knees, and I hope you’ll join me in praying for them too. I’m praying for their personal safety, for the families that have experienced loss or been torn apart by the conflict, for the Lord to work good from the things they are facing, and for the Lord to work through them to point their neighbors to Jesus. 

There are many things that we can do as citizens: voting, writing to our representatives, engaging in thoughtful and fair dialogue with other people about the issues at hand.

But first, as Christians, let’s pray. 

<>< Pastor Mark T Pulliam