Following U.S. airstrikes on several of Iran’s nuclear sites, Franklin Graham is calling on Christians to pray.
“Pray for our nation,” Franklin said in a post on Facebook. “Pray for President Donald J. Trump and the leaders around him, and pray for our military. Also pray for Israel today as they continue to receive missile attacks.”
Franklin also expressed thanks to President Trump for acknowledging and thanking God during his announcement of the airstrikes.
Although it remains to be confirmed if Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities were completely obliterated, observers, including the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, agree that “very significant damage is expected to have occurred.”
The chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces warned that Iran’s military would respond to the bombings “in any way we deem necessary.” On Monday, Iran targeted the Al Udeid U.S. airbase in Qatar with a missile attack, but Qatar officials said the missiles were intercepted and there were no injuries.
The U.S. airstrikes, carried out by seven B-2 stealth bombers in addition to submarine-launched cruise missiles, were designed to destroy Iran’s ability to enrich uranium to a level that can be used for nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Israel has been striking Iran’s military and nuclear sites since June 13, killing several top military officials and nuclear scientists. In response, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones into Israel.
John Silkman, the country coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse in Israel, told Decision that the general tenor among people in Israel is positive but vigilant, knowing that their military is striking “at a place that has exported evil to Israel through their proxy groups.” Samaritan’s Purse is providing aid to Israeli Jews, Israeli Arabs, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and the Druze communities. “We just want to reach out and show God’s love to all,” Silkman said.
Silkman added that allowing Iran’s radical regime to develop nuclear weapons would be devastating. “It would have a very bad cascading effect across the region to have that type of capability at their fingertips,” he said.
Although military operations may have helped to prevent such a situation, Franklin reminded people to maintain a Biblical perspective. “Peace through strength is a true statement,” he said, “but we must remember that God is our strength and ask for His help and direction.”
