How To Pray For Iran

As strikes continue in the Middle East, this latest update includes firsthand reports from believers on the ground and ways you can pray.

Death of the Ayatollah

As military strikes continue to rock Iran and surrounding countries, it can be difficult to know what’s going on or how to pray.

The situation is fluid and can be difficult to follow. On Saturday, 28 February, the United States and Israel reportedly killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the long-time Supreme Leader of Iran, along with other high-level officials. An Iranian television presenter announced his death, while the channel aired archive footage marked with a black mourning banner. The country declared 40 days of mourning.

At the same time, videos on social media showed Iranians celebrating the death of the Ayatollah. In other countries around the world, Iranian expatriates and refugees took to the streets in jubilation.

“The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei marks a significant and sobering moment in Iran’s history,” says an Open Doors’ analyst and an Iranian Christian. “I cannot ignore that under his leadership, the Church in Iran lived for decades under intense pressure, facing restrictions, surveillance, arrests, and the constant weight of uncertainty. Many faithful believers endured suffering simply for following Christ.”

He adds, “This moment is not about revenge or triumph, but about the possibility of a different future. One where freedom of conscience, dignity, and justice are extended to all Iranians, regardless of faith or background. My prayer is that this turning point will open the way for peace, reconciliation, and genuine freedom for our nation.”

Terrifying Sounds

Meanwhile, the strikes continue. “The sound of the explosions is very frightening. The loud fighter jets are carrying out terrifying attacks,” says an Iranian Christian living in a town near the capital. She was able to get a message out to Open Doors’ partners just before the internet connection was cut off throughout the country. She adds, “However, I believe that God will save me and deliver me from this war.”

Iranians remain indoors and are taping up their windows to resist the force of strong explosions. The violence is now spreading throughout the region as Iran retaliates.

“We are hearing the sound of explosions and airplanes,” says an Iraqi believer in Erbil, northern Iraq. Another Christian says her house “was shaking”.

Open Doors’ sources in Erbil report that on Monday, 2 March 2026, Iran tried to attack the American consulate in Erbil. The attacking drones were shot down before they could destroy their target.

“We had at least five rockets exploding, and we hear constantly fighter jets above us. We are worried that Iran-backed groups will plan attacks in our region on American targets,” an Open Doors source says.

Iran has also carried out attacks in countries throughout the Arabian Peninsula, including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, primarily targeting U.S. military sites, Israeli government offices, and international shipping areas.

Before noon on 2 March 2026, a Christian living on the Arabian Peninsula sent this message: “Missiles and sirens close to home. Alerts going off on phones. Windows rattling. We’re going to the shelter, please pray.”

While most of Iran’s missiles were intercepted by defense systems, some have hit land causing demolition, fires, and destruction.

“We received recurring alerts on our phones, urging us to remain indoors and not to go out except for urgent matters,” another Christian living in the Gulf area shares. “The sounds we heard were very intense and scary.”

Resilience and Hope

Many citizens in Israel and Palestine have had to hide in shelters. “We hear rockets and airplanes all the time,” says one of our sources in the West Bank. “The people are upset in the West Bank. Since the Gaza war ended, tourists have come back to the area. This will stop all tourism again, and many Christians depend on tourism for their jobs and income. Please pray for an end to this war and for all politicians to put aside their own interests.”

An Open Doors analyst and Iranian Christian reminds us that there’s always hope. “Even in hardship, the [Iranian Church] has remained resilient, prayerful, and deeply rooted in hope.”

Some believers look forward to the end of the war and pray for a more lasting peace. One believer says, “We are Christian converts who fled Iran because of persecution. Not having any freedom to express and live out our faith, we endured years of displacement and lived as refugees. We are so hopeful that we will be able to go back to our homeland. May God bring peace and protect the whole Middle East through this time of change for Iran.”

How You Can Help

Your prayers mean everything to our persecuted family. But, if you would also like to give to our long-standing and existing work in the region, you can that here. Your gift will help believers with training, discipleship, trauma care, and online ministry across the Middle East.