[Today’s Prayer] The Middle East at a moment’s notice… Iran counts down retaliatory attacks

Iran's retaliatory attack on the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has begun. International oil prices rose sharply for two consecutive days as armed forces from various parts of the Middle East, including Hezbollah, which lost its operational commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut, Lebanon, are expected to join the ranks.

According to foreign media such as the New York Times (NYT) on the 1st, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IGRC) is preparing military operations in accordance with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's order to directly attack Israel. Khamenei led the prayer service at Haniyeh's funeral that day.

It is expected that a variety of means will be used in retaliatory attacks, including not only missiles and drones, but also armed groups such as Hezbollah and Yemeni Houthi rebels. Last April, Iran launched large-scale missiles, rockets, and drones toward Israel in retaliation after the bombing of the Damascus consulate in Syria.

John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the White House's National Security Council (NSC), said, "We do not believe that an escalation of war in the Middle East is inevitable," but the general consensus is that there is a high possibility of the conflict expanding. As news broke that an Iranian military advisor was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting Shukr Hezbollah commander in Beirut the previous day, citizens' demands for retaliation are growing louder.

As the collision became imminent, United Airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv indefinitely. Delta Air Lines also suspended flights between New York and Tel Aviv until the 2nd. Governments in each country, including Korea, established measures to evacuate Korean citizens and ensure safety, and inspected the supply and demand of crude oil and gas, and the operation of oil tankers.

If Israel suffers damage from retaliatory attacks, the conflict is expected to further expand. In a speech to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged, “We are prepared for all scenarios and will continue the fight until the objectives of the war are achieved.”

The United States is also not free from the sphere of influence. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council convened the day before, Iranian Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeed Iravani claimed, “Israeli forces carried out the assassination with support from the United States.” Russia, China, and Lebanon also joined in and blamed Israel and the United States. The United States dismissed Iran's claim that it was involved in the death of the Hamas leader and countered that it was Israel's independent response. However, it is highly likely that retaliation from Iran and others will take place at Iraqi bases and areas under US military jurisdiction, and it is also likely that attacks will target US troops.

Source: News

For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord - the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds.They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow (Isiah 13:11-13)

We hear that Iran is in the early stages of retaliating for the assassination of its leader in Tehran.

Jesus, deliver them from the spirit of war and death.

We believe in God's holy work of salvation in the midst of the Middle East's escalating war!

We desire for restoration among the war-torn nations of Israel, Palestine, and Iran, that they may be reborn as a people who praise You alone.

Soften the war-ravaged hearts like a watered garden, so that all the generations of the Middle East may rise up as a generation

We believe that you will comfort those who are in the midst of war. Fill them with your Holy Spirit, that they may have more joy in Jesus Christ then any joy they have ever known.