Evangelist and pastor Greg Laurie is encouraging believers around the world to pray for a spiritual awakening across the Middle East in the midst of rising tensions involving Iran and Israel. In a recent interview with Erick Stakelbeck on Trinity Broadcasting Network, Laurie shared his hope that the current moment could lead many people in the region to encounter faith in Jesus Christ.
Speaking about the ongoing conflict and instability in the region, Laurie emphasized that Christians should not celebrate war or geopolitical turmoil but instead respond with prayer and compassion for people on all sides. He urged believers to pray for peace while also asking God to bring spiritual renewal throughout the Middle East.
"Wouldn't it be amazing if a spiritual awakening came to Iran in the aftermath of this war?" Laurie said in the interview. "God is already at work there."
Laurie pointed to reports that Christianity is quietly growing inside Iran despite strict government restrictions on religious conversion. Some estimates suggest that as many as one million Iranians now identify as Christians, many of whom practice their faith through underground house churches or online ministry connections.
The pastor noted that the Middle East remains central to the biblical story, reminding viewers that many of the events recorded in Scripture took place in the same region that continues to dominate global headlines today. From the patriarchs of the Old Testament to the ministry of Jesus and the early church, the lands of Israel and the surrounding nations form the historical backdrop of much of the Bible narrative.
During the conversation with Stakelbeck, Laurie encouraged Christians to keep a gospel-centered perspective when discussing world events. Rather than focusing only on political developments or prophetic speculation, he said believers should pray for people in the region to encounter hope, healing, and the message of Christ.
Laurie concluded by calling on Christians worldwide to pray not only for Israel but also for the people of Iran and the broader Middle East, expressing hope that many will come to faith during a time of uncertainty and conflict.
