Middle East: prayer for peace

Pray for an end to violence across the Middle East. Pray for diplomacy, dialogue and de-escalation: for violence to cease, for protection from harm and for peace in Iran, Lebanon and across the Middle East. Please pray for continued safety for all people in mission in the region.

See more prayer points from our partners in the region and download slides to share with your church at churchmissionsociety.org/iran

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How should we pray for Iran and the Middle East?

We invite you to join us in prayer for the Middle East as the situation across the region continues to deteriorate, bringing significant hardship and uncertainty to the whole region.

It can often be hard to know just what to pray in times of crisis, so our colleagues working across the Middle East offer these pointers to guide and resource our prayers.

Download an updated slide deck to share with your church

Prayer update on Lebanon

10 April 2026

From CMS’s partnership officer, based in Beirut.

• We pray for justice and mercy from heaven above as we see no justice around.
• We pray for God’s providence for all those who lost loved ones and the families who lost their children, parents and property. Tonight many many people will be homeless and with no families.
• We pray for the rescue teams in the country with the limited resources they have to meet such a massive attack.
• We pray for the church to be able to support and provide for those who need the help.
• We pray for healing… the situation is very traumatic.
• We pray for all the enemies of our beloved country, may they see what damage they are bringing to the people and the land. May they know the Prince of Peace who can give his peace.

19 March 2026

In Lebanon, the situation has become a serious and growing crisis. Ongoing war and attacks from Israel have displaced nearly one million people from South Lebanon, most of them Lebanese Shia. Many have fled toward Beirut and surrounding areas and are now living in the streets, in their cars, or wherever they can find temporary shelter.

Hospitals are overwhelmed by the large number of injured. With limited capacity, some have begun prioritising Lebanese patients, leaving others – including many injured Syrians – without medical care.

The economic situation is also extremely difficult. Fuel prices have risen from $0.90 to $1.50, driving inflation in basic necessities, including food. Many people are unable to work due to the ongoing missile attacks and bombing, while schools remain closed and daily life grows increasingly unstable.

In response, the Lebanese church has opened their doors to receive members of their congregations who fled from the South, hosting them in church retreat centers in the mountains.

At the same time, many Syrians who had previously fled war in their own country and found refuge in Lebanon are now facing new hardship. Some are being forced out of the homes they rent so that displaced Lebanese families can move in, leaving them with limited options for shelter.

In parts of the Gulf, the war has also caused airports to close, and the ongoing missile attacks across the region continue to create fear and uncertainty.

Prayer requests for Lebanon and the region

• Please pray for the large number of displaced people from South Lebanon who are now living in the streets and in extremely difficult conditions as they seek to survive during this crisis.
• Please pray for the Syrian community in Lebanon, who are facing increasing hardship and prejudice as many lose their homes and are unable to receive medical care when needed. Pray for the church as it seeks to serve and support many among them.
• Please pray for the church in Lebanon, that it will be strengthened and equipped to continue helping those in need – not only for their congregations, but also people from different backgrounds – demonstrating Christ’s love and compassionate care.
• Even in the midst of pain and suffering, many are knocking on the doors of churches, sensing that the church offers a different hope. Ask God to strengthen those serving them to faithfully reflect the love, compassion and peace of Christ to all who come seeking help.
• Please pray for peace in Lebanon, and specially that the country would be protected from civil conflict between Sunni, Shia, and Christian communities, and that people would not turn against one another or blame each other for the current situation.
• Please pray for the wider region, that the missile attacks and violence would cease and that stability and peace would be restored.

Pray for peace, protection and wisdom:

• for diplomacy, dialogue and de-escalation: for violence to cease, for protection from harm and for peace in Iran, Lebanon and across the Middle East
• for respect for human rights and the dignity of God’s children to prevail
• for leaders and decision-makers worldwide to act justly, quickly and decisively to provide much-needed practical support for suppressed civilians

Pray for justice and freedom:

• for the Lord’s protection for Christians imprisoned in Iran on account of their faith and for them to soon be released
• for conditions allowing freedom of religion in Iran, including for all Christians to be permitted to gather for worship freely and establish churches in Iran
• that Christians across the Middle East would not face increased persecution because of heightening instability

Pray for Iranians in exile:

• for Iranians living outside the country who long to return to live or to visit, pray they would soon be able to return without fear
• for Iranians who have been forced to flee in recent years, and are ‘in limbo’ seeking asylum and safety in other countries

Pray for Christian witness:

• for God’s light to shine through the church in Iran, bringing true freedom, healing, dignity and hope
• thanking God for the growing church in Iran, pray for the Body of Christ in Iran to thrive
• that Christians in Iran, Lebanon and across the Middle East would be a compelling testimony to others at this time of turmoil, pointing more and more of God’s children to the Lord

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Iran: peace in uncertainty

Please pray for peace, protection and wisdom for the people of Iran amid violence and uncertainty. Pray for unfair arrests to cease and for innocent prisoners to be released. Pray for leaders and decision-makers worldwide to act justly, quickly and decisively to provide much-needed practical support for suppressed civilians. Pray for God’s light to shine through the church in Iran, bringing true freedom, healing, dignity and hope.

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Iran: in prison for following Jesus

Please pray for husband and wife Nayereh and Qasem from North Iran, who have both been charged with offences related to living out their Christian faith. Nayereh started serving two concurrent five-year sentences in December, while Qasem’s prison sentence is on hold while he has cancer treatment. Please pray for strength and encouragement for both Nayereh and Qasem, for healing for Qasem and for people of all faiths to be allowed to live out their faith peacefully in Iran. This prayer request comes from Middle East Concern.

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Iran: protests

Please continue to pray for the people of Iran, where ongoing protests against the Islamic regime have led to more than 4,000 deaths (Human Rights Activists News Agency’s estimate) and untold suffering for victims’ families. Pray for God’s comfort for all those who have lost loved ones or whose loved ones are still missing. Pray for God to turn people’s hearts to peace, and for justice to prevail.

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Iran: protests

Thousands of people are reported to have been killed during ongoing protests against the Islamic regime in Iran, and thousands more are said to have been arrested. With internet blackouts across the country news updates are unclear and communication confusion is adding fuel to the unrest. Pray for God’s peace and justice to cover Iran. Ask God to comfort and draw close to the people whose loved ones have been killed. And pray for God to strengthen and protect Christians who are still ministering in Iran

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