I did not write this, but I agree with it and found it very inspiring in light of recent events:

"I woke up this morning to headlines about strikes against Iran.

And I just sat there for a minute.

Coffee in hand. Kids asleep. House quiet.

Somewhere in the world, bombs are dropping. Somewhere in this country, families are watching the news a little closer than usual.

Y’all already know I’m as patriotic and red-blooded ‘Murica! as they come. I’ve worn the uniform. I love this country deeply….

But I found myself asking something I’ve really never asked before… What does the Bible actually say about war?

And what I found was Scripture is not naïve about it at all.

Ecclesiastes 3:8 says it plainly:

“A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

It doesn’t romanticize it. It doesn’t pretend it won’t happen. It just acknowledges that in a broken world, there are seasons that are not peaceful.

Then Romans 13 talks about governing authorities not bearing the sword in vain. That line always makes me pause. The sword is not symbolic fluff. It represents responsibility. Protection. Justice. The weight of making decisions that affect lives.

And then Jesus gives us the one that always feels most impossible …

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44.

So we’re left holding tension.

There are times nations go to war. There are leaders tasked with protecting people. And there is a Savior telling us to love our enemies.

If anything is for sure, it is that tensions like these are not meant to be resolved by outrage. It’s meant to be carried in prayer.

And for me, that feels sobering. Because when I pray, I don’t have to pick an either or.

I can pray for American troops and still pray for Iranian mothers. I can pray for our leadership and still pray for civilians overseas. I can ask for justice and still ask for mercy.

Christian intercession is not partisan. It is kingdom-minded.

In fact, one of you commented recently and said, Pray, pray, and pray again until your mind is in line with Scripture. And today I see how powerful that is.

Because I could have taken these headlines any number of ways. I could have reacted in fear. Or bloodlust. Or hollow righteousness.

But instead…

Before I play any part, any part at all, I will pray until I am of sober mind.

Fear spreads faster than missiles. Rage spreads faster than facts. But prayer moves faster than both.

God,

You see what we only hear about in fragments.

You see the skies. You see the ground. You see the command rooms. You see the homes where families are holding their breath.

Protect every American service member involved right now. Guard their lives. Steady their minds. Bring them home safely.

Cover their families with peace that doesn’t depend on headlines.

Give our leadership wisdom that is bigger than ego and clearer than politics. Let restraint and righteousness lead decisions.

Protect civilians in Iran and across the region. Shield children. Comfort mothers. Guard the innocent.

Expose evil. Restrain escalation. Shorten what can be shortened.

And guard our hearts here at home.

Do not let us become hardened. Do not let us be consumed by fear. Do not let us trade prayer for outrage.

You are sovereign over nations. You are not surprised. You are not absent.

Bring justice where it is needed. Bring mercy where it is possible. And in Your time, bring peace.

Amen."