Read Time: 5 min 06 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

WORLD NEWS

Conflict in Iran and Beyond

The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran last weekend.

What happened?
The U.S. and Israel teamed up to launch a surprise attack on Iran just after 9:00 am local time Saturday. Missiles hit political and military sites across the country, including the palace of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei, the 86-year-old who ruled Iran for 35 years, was killed. The strikes also took out at least 49 other top leaders of Iran’s government and military.

Iran struck back, hitting targets all over the Middle East (see a strike map). 

The U.S. said six servicemembers have been killed in the conflict so far. Iran says it’s lost nearly 1,000 people.

Why did the attacks start?
Tensions with Iran have been high over Iran building nuclear weapons and violently crushing protests last month. 

The White House says the joint strikes have a few goals:

1. Majorly weaken Iran’s military

2. Prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons

3. Keep Iran from giving money to terror groups in the region

Critics are saying the Trump administration’s military goals are not crystal clear. The big question mark is whether “regime change” (overturning the government) is on Uncle Sam’s agenda.

What’s next?
President Trump said the fighting could last “four to five weeks” or longer. 

Meanwhile, Americans in 14 Middle Eastern countries have been urged to evacuate because of “serious safety risks.” Oil and natural gas prices are going up, and overall inflation is expected to rise, too. 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
When our news feed fills with violence and chaos, we’re often swept into a spiral of anxiety. But believers have an anchor in Jesus, whose peace pierces the darkness now and will one day shatter it completely.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”
John 1:4-5 (CSB) (read full passage)

What good news do my kids need to hear in light of this bad news?
It seems like just as one conflict in the Middle East reaches a tentative conclusion, another bursts violently onto the scene. 

When the prophet Isaiah was caught up in a similar cycle of Middle East violence nearly 3,000 years ago, God pulled back the curtain on a very good, verrrry long future: “He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war” (Isaiah 2:4 CSB).

War is not forever. A peaceful King is coming, and the seat of His kingdom will be smack dab in the middle of the Middle East. He’ll interrupt the raging of the world’s most turbulent region, commanding stillness with the same ease that quieted storms and undid sicknesses and death.

Why is God’s peace taking so long?
This conflict has been raging for thousands of years, and it may continue to drag on. That doesn’t mean God has forgotten His promise or doesn’t care about the region's people. 

The Bible says God’s timing for Jesus’s return is set by His mercy: “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9 CSB).

His “delay” furthers His mission of inviting others to come to Him for life. While you wait for His plan to unfold, trust His character and align your mission with His.

• Look at this map of the Middle East…

  

• Choose a country, learn the basic facts about its population (this site can help), then pray for that country specifically (try this prayer guide).
   

• Memorize John 1:5, “That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” (CSB).
   

• Pray for the Middle East: Mighty God, You are never caught by surprise or overpowered. By Your overwhelming strength, work peace across the Middle East. Overcome evildoers; comfort those who are mourning; protect the vulnerable; strengthen those who will rebuild; and bring order from chaos so that Iran and its neighbors will taste and see the goodness of the One True King.

Burdensome news often leaves us overwhelmed and speechless. Praying the News, TPO’s new Sunday newsletter, offers a Scripture-focused prayer over one headline every week. Join us in prayer.

CREAM AND SUGAR

Gen Z Word of the Week: Our church lobby is coffee shop coded.

Family Fun: Have you met TPO’s mascot, Shadrach? Learn to draw him here.

Whipped Cream on Top: Making dessert… with LEGO.

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