[Today’s Prayer] "Trump, Netanyahu are enemies of God"… Iran's top cleric issues 'fatwa'

Iran's highest-ranking Shiite cleric issued a fatwa (an edict containing the interpretation of Islamic law) on the 29th (local time) defining US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "enemies of God.

"Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Siraj, the spiritual leader of Shiite Muslims around the world, declared, "These enemies must be made to regret their words and actions," and "Those who are harmed in the process will be rewarded as mujaheds (warriors) who fight on the path of God."

Siraj also stated that cooperating with these enemies is "haram" (forbidden) for Muslims and Iran.

The decree essentially deems anyone who threatens Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a "mohareb," or one who wages war against God, punishable by death.

Mohareb is a serious crime under Articles 279 and 282 of Iran's Islamic Penal Code, punishable by death, crucifixion, amputation, or exile. It is also a legal tool frequently used by the Iranian regime to suppress dissidents.

“This fatwa is a call to violence as a religious imperative,” said Behnam Ben-Taleblou, an Iran expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a U.S. think tank . “It could be a signal for everyone from transnational terrorist organizations to lone wolf radicals to attack Trump.”

Source

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”(Matthew 12:20-21)

Even after the ceasefire, the conflict between Israel and Iran has deepened to the point where Iran, through its top Shiite cleric, has issued edicts labeling the United States and Israel as enemies of Allah. We even hear of religious orders calling for violence and declaring that those who are harmed for the sake of Iran will be rewarded as warriors fighting in the way of Allah.

God, we lift Iran up to You at this hour. May we seek Your compassion for the fate of a nation that, like a broken reed and a withering wick, has nothing left to offer.

Overshadow Iran's anger and hatred toward Israel with the love of Jesus Christ, and let the deceptive and enraging machinations of Islam be exposed in the light of truth. May the love of Jesus, who modeled love even to the point of laying down his life on the cross, overcome Iran's enmity toward Israel and love it to the end.

Establish the Church in Iran with Your Word as a solid rock, that through it many souls who have not yet heard Your name may be saved and brought to new life. Set them free from Islam and the law of death, and usher in Your Kingdom, which is governed by the law of the Holy Spirit of life.

Allow the global church to unite in prayer, mediate between Israel and Iran, and preach the gospel so that one more soul may hear it.

And may Iran join the nations in welcoming the day when You will return and triumph in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord!