The two-week Ceasefire struck between the US and the Iranian regime is extremely fragile. Will this lead to an end to the war? In today’s CUFI Prayer, we pray for the negotiations that begin this weekend in Pakistan. While the six-week military campaign by the US has struck a major blow to the regime, we must remember the nature of the evil Iranian regime and its repeated crimes. While we pray for war to end, not everyone who cheered the ceasefire has the US or Israel’s best interests at heart.
If Iran’s ballistic missile programme and nuclear threat have been truly removed, then we give thanks. But if not, fully we need to be realistic that the threat remains. There are two main principles that we must bear in mind as we pray regarding the ceasefire and negotiations:
The first principle is Israel. We must pray for Israel’s safety and security, both in the present and long-term. If an agreement isn’t good for Israel, it isn’t good. Pressure is mounting on Israel to curtail its military operations in Lebanon. It must be noted that Israel is not at war with Lebanon – it is targeting Hezbollah. In fact, Israel reports that it has killed over 1,400 Hezbollah operatives since the start of the latest campaign. The media portray optics that Israel is against Lebanon, but actually the Lebanese government also do not want Hezbollah to control the country. Let us pray for the removal of Hezbollah and for peace in Lebanon.
The second principle is the Iranian people. They are looking with hope for the removal of the Ayatollah regime, and for freedom from oppression. It is possible a deal with the regime will not guarantee this. For the sake of the liberty of the Iranian people, the end of brutal rule, and the protection of Christians, Jews and every other person who rejects Iran’s jihadist ideology, let us pray for the end of the Iranian regime.
For He remembered His holy promise,
And Abraham His servant.
He brought out His people with joy,
His chosen ones with gladness.
He gave them the lands of the Gentiles,
And they inherited the labour of the nations,
That they might observe His statutes
And keep His laws.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 105:42-45
