What Are Our Options?

A day or week cannot go by without a declaration coming from the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, concerning Iran's determination to secure nuclear weapons or their desire to destroy the modern State of Israel. The recent capture and parade of the British soldiers on television prove the point that Ahmadinejad does not seem to care about world opinion. He seems to only care about power, Islamic domination, and the destruction of God's Chosen People.

If the Iranian president cannot destroy the physical state of Israel, he often resorts to denigrating the memory and the horror of the Holocaust by denying the death of six million Jewish souls. In fact, a conference in Tehran last fall was dedicated to downplaying the horrors of the Holocaust, all in the name of historical revisionism.

Do you think that perhaps these last two paragraphs are an exaggeration of the issue? If you doubt the veracity of this position, please go to www.tzedakahministries.org/CurrentNews.htm and read the numerous articles about the Iranian president and his virulent hatred for Israel and the Jewish people. And please note that only a few of the hundreds of articles are listed as there is just not enough space on the website to list them all.

But before we become overwhelmed by the news reports and the growing influence of radical Islam, we must ask ourselves what are the options that Christians have in regards to the Iranian crisis and the clear and present danger that Israel faces in April 2007 and beyond?
First, we must acknowledge and confront the problem. To ignore the Iranian crisis will not make it go away or lessen its impact. Second, we must stand strong in our support for Israel and the Jewish people living in the Holy Land. Please note that Tzedakah Ministries is not advocating an unexamined form of Christian Zionism. The Israeli government can and often does make mistakes and these errors should be recognized. However, this crisis requires concern for and support of Israel.

Third, and most important, we must pray for both the nation of Israel and the Iranian people. Obviously, the Israelis are in desperate need of prayer. Many are frightened and are waiting for a nuclear attack. The time is right for a Christian witness in the midst of this crisis. Let's pray for the missionaries living in Israel who are on the "front lines" of evangelism.
However, we must also pray for the Iranians living under an oppressive regime. According to surveys, most Iranians long for freedom and another orm of leadership. They are trapped. They need the prayers of Christians worldwide.

Israelis, Iranians, and all people living in the world need Jesus. The key to solving this Iranian crisis is one of prayer and evangelism. Reactions and overreactions will not solve the crisis. Only the love and power of Messiah Jesus can solve this dangerous world problem. Only Jesus as the Sar Shalom (the prince of peace) can bring hope to the world's tribulations and heartaches.

Obviously, a final solution to the Iranian crisis and all world events will only be resolved when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom. However, we can do our part by praying for Israel. We can pray for the Iranians. We must pray for all the people involved in this crisis as prayer is our best, and perhaps only, option. Shalom. God bless.