Impact of War on Missions and Believers in Conflict Zones

Well, the inevitable has happened—Israel and Iran are now at war. Though this post will drop a couple of weeks after the start of the conflict, I don’t expect things to be done. This is the time most in the Middle East have both dreaded and hoped for. We dread it for the destruction and fear it will bring, but we hope for it, because it ends decades of anxious waiting. Living in the tension of possible war can sometimes be as difficult as living in the midst of the reality of the fighting.

Though this is not the only region where such “wars of inevitability” are anticipated, this is one of the biggest ones that affects nations across the globe. What will the outcome be? Only time will tell. What do we do in the meantime? I encourage you to pray, as I highlight a few issues that impact our missionaries, the church, and another event we anticipate.

War affects missions and missionaries.

I’ve written on this before, and my book, When Doors Close: Changing Course in Missions Without Losing Your Way, also addresses how wars and conflicts can disrupt the life and work of those serving in cross-cultural missions. Already, as a result of this latest war and the earlier conflicts begun in October 2023, missionaries in the Middle East are being forced to huddle down in homes or relocate to emergency locations.

It’s stressful on individuals, couples, and especially children, who are caught up in the tension; they sense the fear of their parents, hate to leave their friends and toys, and dread living out of suitcases for an undetermined amount of time. Nobody has answers, not even their parents, raising the stress levels in little ones that can affect them for years to come.

Ask the Lord of all comfort to give comfort and peace to those serving among the nations in times of war. Pray for those who have to move or shelter in place. Ask the Lord to cover them with his wings and help them to rest in his sovereignty in times of uncertainty. Turn to the Psalms for help in voicing prayers and finding guidance in days of war and conflict.

Reach out to the missionaries you know and support without peppering them with questions they most likely cannot answer, but with a word of encouragement, a scripture verse, and just a reminder that you’re praying for them. Serving God in the uncertain days of conflict is a time when missionaries need each other, the church, and family to rally around them in support and prayer. I pray the Church is rising to the challenge for those in the war zones of our world today.

War affects the Body of Christ in the zones of conflict.

I talked with a friend a few months ago about how Christians were exhausted by the decades of conflict and political turmoil in her country. Now with this new war, the church hunkers down to survive. Closed airspace and difficulties in travel keep national believers from even the thought of escape, though most cannot afford the luxury.

What happens to believers when buildings are being leveled and it’s dangerous to leave home? How do they meet? How do they keep the faith after years of conflict and stress?

I’ve been grateful to be able to witness the resilience of local believers in several of these countries, and how the Lord uses them to strengthen each other, many helping with humanitarian needs, teaching Bible studies to small groups, and encouraging young people by providing some fun in the midst of the strife. Local churches may struggle, but they also rise to the occasion to shine for Christ when hope of peace seems lost.

We must pray for believers in Israel, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, and beyond, as this war affects the entire region. As you pray for those in this conflict, remember those in other areas of the world, like Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, India, and Pakistan. Christ-followers are not immune to the costs of conflict, and they need our prayers and support in times of crisis.

War sets the stage for Christ’s return.

Jesus told us that wars are going to become commonplace in our world, and they really are inevitable.

You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of labor pains. (Matthew 24:6-8 CSB)

We should not be surprised when nation rises against nation. Yes, we pray for peace, but wars will happen and continue to happen. All this conflict is the result of the original fall back in the Garden of Eden. As sin entered the world, so did man’s animosity for his brother.

With the increase of conflicts, and with this one centered in the land of Israel, we know the end is drawing near. Lawlessness will increase and Christ-followers will face increased persecution and attack. But Jesus tells us to endure. Why? Because he’s coming back to judge the nations and make his eternal home with those who have put their faith in him as Lord and Savior.

So, what do we pray as wars increase in the world? Based on his words in the remainder of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, here are my suggestions:

• Pray for the Lord to strengthen Christians who are hated for carrying the name of Christ.
• Pray for those who are tempted to fall away and turn their back on Christ, that they will remain faithful.
• Pray for unity in the Body of Christ, as increased betrayal of Christians by Christians threatens to destroy those who gather in his Name.
• Pray for hearts of believers to stay warm toward Christ and the sovereignty of God as lawlessness increases.
• Pray for the good news of the Kingdom to continue to spread in these last days.
• Pray that Christians will not be deceived by false prophets and messiahs.
• Pray that Christians will be ready for Christ’s coming.

War can paralyze our prayer life and faith. Pray for missionaries, believers, and the Church worldwide to remain strong, unified, and supportive of one another in these days of distress—to His Glory.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these other posts on times of conflict and war: Christmas in a War Zone, Wars and Rumors of War, We’re Fighting a Battle, Thoughts on the Middle East, How Long, O Lord?, In Christ Alone, and When Disaster Strikes.