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As Purim 2026 approaches, unfolding tensions in Iran and Israel echo Esther’s story, urging believers to pray and fast in this pivotal “but God” moment.

The story of Purim reads almost as if we are seeing the headlines in our current newspapers.

The Islamic Republic of Iran was known as Persia in the Bible.

Purim this year on our calendar is from 2-3 March 2026, and Jerusalem celebrates for an extra day on 4 March.

My previous articles regarding Purim are as below:

• 2025 – Divine Justice during Purim (the feast of Esther)
• 2023 – The True Beauty of Esther
• 2022 – Double Purim 2022 – A Double Portion of Breakthrough
• 2021 – The Esther Generation: Purim

In these pieces, I examined the story of Queen Esther and some of the history surrounding her. Here, I wish to examine the current Purim season to see how God is at work today.

Purim and Persia: Ancient Story, Modern Parallels

God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, just as we often do not see His name mentioned in today’s news, but He is definitely at work behind the scenes, accomplishing His sovereign plan.

The name Persia came from the Greeks in relation to Cyrus the Great and his empire. The name Persia came about because it was in the region of Persis. In the past, the name of Iran was used, dating back to the Zoroastrian time, but the official change came in 1935, then it became the dominant name in 1979. Iran means “land of the Aryans”.

As we watch the news these days, we are seeing God at work in various nations.

At the time of the October 7^th invasion of Israel, we saw daily news about the Gaza war on our television screens.

When Israel was fighting for its life in the Gaza war, the nation was being attacked on several fronts – all of them leading back to Iran. Some likened Iran to a snake that needed to be beheaded. However dire, I believe that God is at work in the Middle East.

Then, after the Bondi Beach massacre, 14^th December 2025, again, we saw daily reports on the news about events unfolding in Australia about the Jewish community and associated issues.

Now, in February 2026, we have been seeing the slaughter of demonstrators in Iran from December 2025 through to the current time.

“’Over 36,500 killed in Iran’s deadliest massacre, documents reveal’. Iran International, 25 January 2026.”  These figures could be even higher.

Again, with Iran, we are seeing the Lord at work in a nation as the unrest comes to a head.  President Trump and his team have been in extensive negotiations looking for a diplomatic solution. However, no firm agreement was reached. On 19 February 2026, President Trump hinted that he would make a decision on a potential Iran strike in ‘probably 10 days’.

This is, I believe, a pivotal time for Israel regarding Iran and its constant threats.  President Trump, with his military and naval moves, is setting the stage for decisive action.

It is definitely time to watch and pray.

From my understanding of what is happening in the prayer world, global intercession is currently surrounding Iran with prayer, and my desire is for the Father’s purposes to prevail.

Pressure is Mounting

From what we are seeing in news reports, the stage is being set.

In my devotional time recently, I was reading this passage from Jeremiah, and it made me think of Iran because the traditional flag of Iran has an image of a lion on it.

Set up a standard toward Tziyon: flee for safety, don’t stay;
for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
– Jeremiah 4:6

A lion is gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations;
he is on his way, he is gone forth from his place,
to make your land desolate, that your cities be laid waste, without inhabitant.
– Jeremiah 4:6-7 (HNV)

Steven Charles Witkoff is currently serving as the United States special envoy to the Middle East and special envoy for peace missions; on 22 February 2026, he stated of Iran: “They’re probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material. And that’s really dangerous.”

On 19 February 2026, Chaim Gleitmann, Channel 12 Israel commentator, said that rescue organisations and the IDF Home Front Command had been instructed to prepare for war. The maximum defensive alert was declared across multiple security bodies, with the system now on high alert.

The United States has a heavy naval presence in the Middle East – “US assets in Middle East positioned for ‘highly kinetic’ war, ex-Pentagon official warns.”

The Times of Israel reported on 22 February 2026: “Khamenei planning for assassination scenario, appoints Larijani to key role.”

Israel is on its highest alert at this point in time. We are in a “but God” moment.

The Esther Mandate: Prayer, Fasting, and Courage

Having discussed current developments in Iran, let us turn our gaze to Queen Esther in ancient Persia and how she and her people turned their situation of threatened extinction around with prayer and fasting. She was an orphan, but she was also chosen by God for a significant role.

As we look at Iran today, which was Persia in the Bible, I think we can see the parallels. Queen Esther to me is a picture of the Body of the Messiah standing globally with the Jewish people who are endangered, not just by Iran, but by global antisemitism.

We have a chance now to be involved through prayer and action to make a difference in the situations we are seeing around us today and see God Almighty intervene in the affairs of men.

Queen Esther lived in an extreme situation where a decree was issued to destroy the Jews.

Australia recently made a stance at the United Nations, saying that we were in favour of a two-state solution. Then, after the Bondi massacre, the Lord said to me personally, “Watch and see what I will do to reverse this situation.” Israel’s President Herzog subsequently visited Australia, with massive security in place. Now, new laws have been framed about hate speech and demonstrations. We are experiencing a shift.

The words “in earth as it is in heaven”, from the Lord’s Prayer, have been a large part of my prayer life recently, as I am praying into Iran and other global events.

This scripture from Jeremiah reminds me that even though things are looking messy, the fact is that the Lord is bringing order.

See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To root out and to pull down,
To destroy and to throw down,
To build and to plant.
– Jeremiah 1:10 (NKJV)

The Kingdom of Heaven is coming to earth, and that is why the enemy is raging through every available channel to hinder the work of God, but His kingdom will prevail. Like it says in Zechariah 14, all nations will come and worship the Lord at Jerusalem.

And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
– Zechariah 14:16 (NKJV)

The Lord’s plan is not just to deal with Iran, but to change the dynamics here on planet Earth – such a mighty plan of God, which will lift Israel to its destiny in the world. Against all odds, His plan will prevail.

We are only seeing glimpses of what the Lord is doing here and there, but His kingdom is increasing and not diminishing.

As I have mentioned before in my articles, the times of the Gentiles are coming to an end, and Israel is on the news nearly every day. The Father’s purposes for Israel are going forward.

Even though it might look like disaster is imminent, the tide can be turned through prayer and fasting. Queen Esther, the Jews, and her maidens did not eat or drink for three days seeking divine intervention regarding the edict to exterminate the Jews.

“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
– Esther 4:16 (NKJV)

When the moment came, Queen Esther went to the King, and the golden sceptre was extended to her. A new edict was written, and the Jews were able to defend themselves and triumphed in the situation, ending with festivities and feasting. These celebrations turned into the festival of Purim that Israel enjoys today, remembering the victory and the joy that it brings.

Prayer and Miracles

Through prayer and fasting, your prayers and my prayers, together with those of the global Body of the Messiah, these are the Father’s divine solution for His Beloved Chosen People, Israel, and the threats of extermination from Iran.

We, the believers who stand as watchmen on the walls, are the “Esther Company” – to stand with Israel in her hour of need.

Recently, we saw the last hostage returned to Israel. This is indeed a time of breakthroughs. Extraordinary joy was experienced in the Land after the dark years of the Gaza war.

Our mandate is to remain vigilant watchmen on the walls, not only of Israel, but also for Australia and the nations that we individually represent. We are freedom warriors to keep the Father’s Beloved Chosen People safe and our own families safe.

… as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.
– Esther 9:22 (NKJV)

Queen Esther was not a seasoned politician. She did not have political influence herself or even eloquence, but there was one thing she could do. Pray. It is one thing we can all do.  She and her people prayed, and the Lord wrought the miracle.

Queen Esther, through prayer, averted the destruction of the Jewish people in her region.  May we, as the Esther Company, also be a part of furthering God’s purposes today by playing our part in saving Jewish lives in these dark days of antisemitism.

Not many Christians live a lifestyle of prayer and fasting anymore. Fasting is biblical. The Jewish community fasts. The early Christians fasted two days a week as instructed in the Didache (c. AD 100). And some of my early godly teachers also fasted and set a good example.

As we turn our hearts to Heaven, to our Heavenly Father who made us, we look to Him for answers for situations that we cannot solve. Situations like the Gaza War, the Bondi Beach massacre, and the threat of Iran and her proxies to Israel and beyond. He sends help from His heavenly sanctuary.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
— James 5:16 (NKJV)

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