Operation Epic Fury: Why the Church Cannot Sleep in Iran’s Urgent Hour

Two things have weighed heavily on me this week. First, our nation—and much of the Middle East—is at war. Second, while I praise God for the churches that prayed over this crisis last Sunday, many others seemed unaware or unwilling to lift even a single prayer. How can we meet on Sundays, with the world shaking around us, and not intercede even briefly? What are we here for if not = moments like these? I pray this coming Sunday will be different.

In case you aren’t aware, the U.S. and Israel have launched major military operations against Iran and its extremist regime, long bent on wiping Israel off the map. The U.S. engagement, Operation Epic Fury, and Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion began after Iran refused to halt its nuclear weapons program—a threat to Israel and the world—and after peace talks collapsed. Iran has also been a persistent menace to the U.S. for decades.

In response, the allies struck Iranian targets, killing the Ayatollah and high-level officials. Iran retaliated with heavy strikes against Israel, and the conflict quickly spread across the Middle East.

(If you haven’t been following events, I’ve gathered an up-to-date summary below this post to help you pray with greater clarity. Also, check out my new book, The Pilgrim's Progress Devotional, mentioned at the bottom.)

Listen, church. This is no distant skirmish—it is a war with immense global and even biblical implications. Its repercussions are already being felt worldwide, including here at home. So I ask: Are we and our churches blind to the times—or simply too timid, perhaps fearing political cost—to pray into the world’s crises? More bluntly: What would possess us not to pray?

Fellow believers, consider this spiritually. When we gather on Sunday—often hundreds strong, the atmosphere charged with spiritual activity—yet remain silent while the world convulses into chaos, what are we doing with the corporate power and authority God has entrusted to us?

 If we hoard our dunamis, sitting on it like sealed powder kegs—unused and untapped—we may feel safe and relevant inside our walls, but are we relevant where the battle truly rages? Shouldn’t we rise, cry out, and release God’s power?

If we ignore a world at war, we risk becoming irrelevant on every front—barely useful for God’s purposes, disregarded by the forces of darkness, and detached and irrelevant to a world in anguish. A church that will not engage in warfare prayer during a moment like this may be present, but it is not participating.

A few days ago, my husband Clay and I read Day 61 in my book The Pilgrim’s Progress Devotional. In this portion, Christian meets three men in shackles—Simple, Sloth, and Presumption—fast asleep: one lacking spiritual depth, one clinging to comfort, and one assuming he can do as he pleases. Though in grave danger, they refuse to heed Christian’s warning. The devotion urges us, unlike them, to remain awake, alert, and prayerful. A timely word for this moment.

I hope this article has stirred your heart. If your church hasn’t yet prayed corporately for this crisis, please share this with your leaders. Even if earlier moments were missed, it is not too late. They—and you—can begin now: calling special prayer gatherings in person, on Zoom, by conference call, through group texts, or on social media. Small prayer circles, neighborhood prayer walks, and home gatherings can quickly unite us in urgent intercession. The key is simple: start now and mobilize where you are.

What is the goal of our prayers? That God would write a new story for Iran—one marked by freedom for the Gospel, freedom for its people, and a nation truly set free. Such freedom will require far more than silenced weapons. It will mean stopping the rise of yet another radical cleric bent on Israel’s destruction, breaking the grip of the brutal IRGC that has taken tens of thousands of Iranian lives, and restoring to the people the right to choose righteous leadership.

We must also pray for our service members in harm’s way, and for our own homeland. Recent reports and public concerns — including claims of memorials for Iran’s Supreme Leader in some U.S. mosques and renewed fears of sleeper cells — remind us of the moment we are in. Here in San Diego, home to major Navy and Marine installations, and across the country, bases have been urged to remain alert for potential threats. I just read this news headline: “Trump says ‘I guess’ Americans should worry about retaliatory attacks on US soil: ‘People will die.’” And as our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, it becomes all the more imperative that we stand watch in prayer.

The outcome of Operation Epic Fury cannot yet be measured. Some developments offer hope, yet events continue to unfold, and the days ahead hold uncertainties we cannot foresee. History’s verdict will not be written overnight. Could this present conflict become the great End Time battle? Only God knows.

In moments like these, our calling is not to predict the end but to humble ourselves before God — alongside our spiritual and national leaders — asking Him to restrain evil, overrule human ambition, thwart wickedness, protect the innocent, and grant wisdom and courage to those who lead.

If we seek Him and stand united in prayer, I believe He will provide protection and even miraculous success, bringing this conflict to its most righteous conclusion. And would it not be a wonder if, through it all, the glorious Gospel of the Prince of Peace—Jesus Christ—were unleashed? Let us pray. With Him, all things are possible. Amen.

A Summary of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion Events (Feb. 28–March 6, 2026)(Information gathered from various reports. I make no authoritative claims.)

After the initial U.S. and Israeli attacks—massive air, missile, and naval strikes—Iran launched widespread missile and drone counterattacks across the Persian Gulf region. U.S. bases and infrastructure in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman have reportedly been targeted.

The UAE says Iran has fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles at them, while Qatar shot down two Iranian fighter jets approaching a major U.S. air base housing about 10,000 service members.

The conflict continues with ongoing strikes, dozens of reported U.S. casualties, evacuations of diplomats and civilians, and widespread regional airspace closures, and some U.S. military infrastructure, communications systems, and civilian buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The State Department is urging Americans to leave 14 countries in the region as additional U.S. forces move into the area.

The U.S. reports striking more than 2,000 Iranian targets. B-1 and B-2 bombers have been used to attack hardened and underground missile facilities, dropping dozens of 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, along with many additional precision munitions. In a friendly-fire incident, three U.S. F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait, while Iran reportedly shot down a fourth. All pilots are reported safe.

Iran claims it has launched over 500 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,000 drones since the conflict began, stating that roughly 40% targeted Israel and 60% targeted U.S. sites across the region.

The conflict is widening. European militaries—including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—are strengthening defensive postures. NATO recorded its first direct involvement when alliance defenses intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile headed toward Turkish airspace. France has redeployed its sole aircraft carrier and escorts to the Mediterranean, and Australia has sent transport and refueling aircraft to evacuate citizens. Azerbaijan has accused Iran of a drone strike on its territory and is demanding an apology.

Energy infrastructure has become a major escalation risk. Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and more than a thousand drones at Gulf states, damaging or shutting down multiple major energy facilities and pipelines. Because this region supplies a large share of the world’s energy, oil and gas prices are already rising.

Israel is now fighting on multiple fronts. Alongside Iran’s attacks, Hezbollah in Lebanon—reportedly possessing around 25,000 drones and missiles—opened a major northern front with waves of attacks on Israel. Israel has responded forcefully. The Lebanese government has vowed to arrest Hezbollah operatives. It’s reported that the U.S. is now participating in the campaign against Hezbollah.

Israel also issued urgent evacuation warnings to southern Lebanon. Roads are filled with up to 200,000 fleeing civilians. A refugee crisis may be developing as many move toward Syria.

At sea, the U.S. claims to have sunk more than 30 Iranian naval vessels, including torpedoing a warship—the first such action since World War II. It reportedly sank off Sri Lanka, nearly 2,000 miles from Iran, pushing the conflict farther outward.

Iran has also been disrupting maritime navigation through GPS jamming and spoofing, reportedly affecting more than 1,100 commercial vessels. Questions remain about whether Iran effectively shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor through which roughly 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas passes.

The human toll is still unfolding as casualties rise in Israel, Iran, and across the region. Discussion is growing of a possible ground invasion. Reports also suggest hundreds of thousands of Kurdish resistance fighters may be waiting for word to enter Iran. In response, Iran and Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have reportedly begun attacking Kurdish groups in Iraq and warning Iran’s roughly nine million Kurdish citizens. Officials also issue severe warnings to all citizens against possible uprisings.

Iran has reportedly suffered heavy losses, possibly including severe damage to its navy, air force, and internal security infrastructure, yet its leadership claims it is prepared for a long war. Meanwhile, discussions have surfaced about appointing a new Supreme Leader, possibly the late leader’s son. President Trump has said such a transition cannot be allowed.

One week into the conflict, the United States continues to surge forces into the Middle East. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says military actions will “further intensify.” President Trump says the “big wave” is yet to come and demands “unconditional surrender.” According to CNN (March 6, 2026), the president says he is not insisting that Iran become a democratic state and would not object if the next supreme leader were a Muslim religious figure. However, he says the leader must be fair and just, treat the United States and Israel well, and maintain good relations with neighboring countries. He has also said he expects to be involved in selecting Iran’s next leader.

As the war approaches a possible tipping point—where Iran’s Islamic Republic itself could be tottering—the situation may become even more dangerous. Pro-Iranian forces such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and regional militias could escalate further. Intelligence reports suggest thousands of Iranian missiles still remain hidden, possibly including longer-range systems reserved for last-resort use.

Meanwhile, Iran’s allies Russia and China are positioning themselves cautiously. President Vladimir Putin has offered mediation while warning Gulf states against escalation, and reports suggest Russia may be quietly providing Iran with intelligence to help target American forces in the region. China, balancing major trade ties with both Iran and the Gulf Arab states, is avoiding entry into the war while sending a diplomatic envoy and warning the UAE not to cross what it calls a “red line.”

In short: the Middle East is entering a period of deep geopolitical uncertainty. Energy supplies, regional alliances, and military escalation could all shift quickly in the days ahead. Much remains unclear. Our President and leaders must not get ahead of themselves. Great wisdom is needed as things are changing quickly. Pray!

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