Have you been praying for the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently?
Actually maybe you have, given the Trump self-declared “12 day” war between Israel and Iran. I pray that by the time this article reaches you the conflict in the Middle East will have not escalated into a full-blown global war.
If you were a Christian prisoner in the recently bombed Evin Prison in Iran (do pray for them!) and recalling passages in the Bible of letters by Paul to the persecuted early church, you would indeed obediently be praying for Ayatollah Khamenei as Timothy was urged to pray for Emperor Nero – both tyrants who persecuted Christians. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2v1-4).
Not all prayer looks the same - and that's okay
We’ve all been told stories of the great saints of prayer. You know, those worthy people who got up early …