By Jonathan Graf

In the April 6, 2006 TIME magazine, essayist Charles Krauthammer wrote about the dangers of Iran gaining nuclear power. Basing his comments on President Ahmadinejad’s speeches, he said for the first time we have a world leader, with nuclear power, who views himself as someone who can light the fuse for the chaotic end of the world. “[Ahmadinejad] is a fervent believer in the imminent reappearance of the 12th Imam, Shi'ism's version of the Messiah,” who, said Krauthammer, will come following this time of chaos. And Ahmadinejad believes this period is only two to three years away.

For those of us who long to see Jesus Christ’s second coming, Ahmadinejad’s words have to make us think. Christian minds are already racing on how this fits in with end-time scenarios. And as this issue with Iran continues to play out, our minds will continually go to this issue. But I have a question: How should we respond in prayer?

No one in their right mind wants to see a nuclear holocaust destroy entire cities. Certainly most would try to pray against this madman and what his actions might cause catastrophically. It is a natural reaction to pray for our lives to be safe and normal. But safe and normal seldom do much for the kingdom! What if his actions will be used by God to eventually usher in the second coming? If we pray against it, aren’t we praying against God’s will?

As I read the TIME essay, and the comments of fellow National Prayer Committee members toward it, I pondered this question. We want our prayers to reflect God’s heart and purposes. And remember, God often uses Satan’s evil activities for His good. So this is what I came up with.

1. Pray that as people see the world becoming more and more chaotic, their hearts would be open to the love of Jesus Christ. Pray that every evil action of Satan would bring multitudes into the kingdom of light.
2. Pray that believers would start living as true believers. That we would truly become salt and light to a dark world. As David Bryant put it, pray for a “re-conversion of God's people back to God's Son for all that He is.” Pray that in these latter days both we—and our children—would stop putting ease of life in front of spreading the gospel.
3. Pray that our people and churches—worldwide—would live as if the second coming of Christ were just around the corner! That our lives, our finances, our sacrifices would reflect this renewed passion.
4. Above all pray for the glory of Jesus Christ to be revealed to the nations! We long to see the King of Kings return. But we have to remember that Jesus’ return is tied into the completion of the Great Commission. He will only return when the last people group hears the gospel, when the last person who will believe, does believe. Our prayers regarding current events should always reflect that!

--Jonathan Graf is the president of the Church Prayer Leaders Network.

Permission Statement to Use if you put this article in a chruch newsletter or bulletin. This statement must appear at the bottom of the article, or you have broken copyright laws.

(C) 2007 Jonathan Graf. Used by permission of Church Prayer Leaders Network. www.prayerleadercom.