Franklin Graham: Pray for ‘God’s Protection’ over Iranian Christians and the Jewish People amid Israel-Iran War
As tensions escalate into outright warfare between Israel and Iran, evangelist Franklin Graham has issued a clarion call to Christians around the globe to pray fervently for both persecuted believers in Iran and for the Jewish people under siege in Israel.
In a Facebook post published June 18, Graham urged his followers to “pray for God’s protection over the innocent people caught in the middle—especially our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iran, and for the Jewish people in Israel.” The war, now raging across multiple fronts, has intensified concerns over the safety of Christian minorities in Iran, already facing state-sponsored persecution, and of Jewish civilians under threat from Iranian missile barrages and terrorist proxies.
Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, emphasized that this is not merely a political or military crisis—but a deeply spiritual one. “Our world is in turmoil,” he wrote, adding that Christians must not be passive observers. “We need to be on our knees.”
This appeal resonates deeply with many conservative Christians who view the modern State of Israel not only as America’s strongest ally in the Middle East, but also as prophetically significant. Many evangelicals see current events as aligned with biblical warnings of end-times conflict, especially those found in Ezekiel 38-39, which describe a military alliance involving Persia—modern-day Iran—coming against Israel.
The renewed warfare between Israel and Iran erupted after reports that Iranian-backed proxies launched a hypersonic missile toward an Israeli nuclear site. Israel responded with swift precision strikes against military targets in Iran. As hostilities mount, so does concern for Iranian Christians, a small but courageous community that lives under constant threat of imprisonment, torture, and even execution for their faith.
According to Open Doors USA, Iran ranks among the top 10 worst countries for Christian persecution. House churches are frequently raided, pastors are jailed, and Christian converts from Islam are viewed as enemies of the state. Yet the underground church continues to grow, driven by visions, dreams, and the boldness of believers who risk everything to follow Jesus Christ.
Graham highlighted this reality in his remarks: “There are Christians in Iran who are suffering greatly because of their faith—and now they are facing even more uncertainty and danger.”
He also reaffirmed support for Israel and the Jewish people, stressing the biblical mandate to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). “We must never forget that God’s covenant with the Jewish people still stands,” Graham stated. “Israel has the right to defend herself, and we need to pray for wisdom for her leaders and peace for her people.”
The Facebook post, which quickly gained thousands of shares and comments, sparked conversations among believers about the spiritual dimensions of the conflict. Many echoed Graham’s plea and expressed alarm over the rising hostility against Jews and Christians alike in the region.
One user commented, “This is spiritual warfare. Iran’s hatred for Israel and persecution of Christians shows just how much darkness is at work. We must stand in prayer.” Others noted the silence of mainstream media and liberal political figures regarding Christian persecution in the Middle East. “It’s heartbreaking,” another commenter wrote. “The same media that cries foul over every leftist cause turns a blind eye when it’s Christians dying.”
This glaring double standard has long frustrated Christian conservatives, who see the suffering of believers in hostile regions as routinely ignored by secular journalists and globalist policymakers. While the Biden administration has issued general statements calling for “de-escalation,” it has largely avoided condemning Iran’s role in fomenting violence or addressing the plight of Iranian Christians.
From a policy standpoint, the United States’ weakened posture in the region—marked by a retreat from Trump-era sanctions and a renewed push for nuclear negotiations—has emboldened Iran, critics say. Franklin Graham, though not overtly political in his statement, has repeatedly warned about the consequences of appeasing regimes that sponsor terror and repress faith.
Eric Thompson, a conservative Christian commentator, agrees. “Franklin Graham is absolutely right to call us to prayer, but we also need clear-eyed leadership in the West. Iran’s regime hates both Israel and Christianity. That’s not a coincidence. It’s because both represent a threat to the spiritual darkness it promotes. We must support our brothers and sisters in the faith—through prayer, advocacy, and strong foreign policy.”
The war’s progression is still unfolding, but what remains clear is that Christians cannot afford apathy. Iranian Christians are facing not only the wrath of their own government, but now the dangers of a broader regional war. Israeli civilians continue to shelter from missile fire, with children growing up in a climate of constant fear.
For Franklin Graham, the answer begins on our knees. “We must pray as never before,” he concluded. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).”
As believers lift up their voices in intercession, many are also asking how they can help practically. Ministries like Samaritan’s Purse and Voice of the Martyrs are already preparing aid efforts for displaced families and persecuted Christians. Financial support, advocacy, and above all, unceasing prayer are being called for.
In times of war and unrest, Franklin Graham’s message cuts through the political noise: trust God, pray for the suffering, and stand boldly for truth—no matter the cost.