With conflict within the Middle East taking a latest turn after Israel’s strikes on Iran, Christians are praying for peace.
Pope Leo called for each side to have interaction in “sincere dialogue” during an audience on Saturday for the Jubilee of Sport in St Peter’s Basilica.
“No one should ever threaten one other’s existence,” he said.
“In as of late, news continues to reach that causes great concern. The situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated, and at such a fragile moment, I want to strongly renew an appeal to responsibility and reason.”
He said that constructing a world “free from the nuclear threat” should be “pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue, with a view to construct an enduring peace founded on justice, fraternity, and the common good”.
“It is the duty of all countries to support the reason for peace by initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all,” he said.
Pastor Greg Laurie said, “Let’s proceed to hope for the people of Israel as they’re under attack by missiles from Iran.
“May God protect them and convey peace to the region. As Scripture says, ‘You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy of their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the warmth’ (Isaiah 25:4).”
Evangelist Franklin Graham defended Israel’s actions on social media: “Iran has said that they wish to wipe Israel off the face of the map. They would also wish to destroy America. Iran is a sponsor of terror.
“The Oct. 7 attack on Israel was perpetrated by Hamas, which is controlled by Iran. Israel has been attacked within the north by Hezbollah, which is controlled by Iran. And Iran has been using the Houthis to fireplace missiles almost day-after-day toward Israel, and so they are controlled by Iran.
“I used to be in Israel last week, and we needed to take shelter several times as Houthi missiles were fired into the country. Imagine if we needed to live like that here within the US. Israel has been forced into defending itself and wishes our prayers.
“All of us who imagine within the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him should ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (Psalm 122:6). Pray that this might be resolved quickly.”
The World Prayer Centre has issued an urgent prayer request following the escalation in recent days.
Embrace the Middle East can be appealing for prayer.
“As violence escalates between Israel and Iran, please join us in praying for peace within the Middle East. We pray for an end to the bloodshed. We pray for compassion, mercy and restraint,” it said.
The UK is deploying RAF jets to the Middle East amid fears of a full-scale conflict.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK is “engaging partners to de-escalate” as he called for “restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy”.
European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas said, “The EU expresses its deepest concern at the damaging escalation that threatens to destabilise the Middle East following Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran’s response. Diplomacy must prevail.”
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