‘We love you, God’ – How faith fueled America’s attack on Iran

The intertwining of faith and security led to last night's historic strike by the United States on three of Iran's nuclear sites – including the destruction of Fordow, Iran's largest and most deeply buried underground facility, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth.

But U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to attack Iran was not merely a military move in defense of Israel or America. For many, it was a spiritual act – part of a larger battle between good and evil and a quest for peace in the Middle East, Israel, and the world.

"This is a spiritual battle – a clash between light and darkness, truth and lies, good and evil," wrote commentator Jeremy Gimpel on his Land of Israel website. "As Israel faces one of its greatest threats, the words of the Torah come alive once again."

Trump himself appeared convinced that he was carrying out a holy, if practical, mission – a war waged in the name of God and with God's help.

On Saturday night, as he addressed the United States, he closed his speech with these words: "I want to just say we love you, God, and we love our great military. Protect them. God bless the Middle East. God bless Israel, and God bless America."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that spiritual tone in his address, thanking the U.S. and declaring, "With the help of God, we will win."

In a world that often pushes faith to the sidelines, Trump’s decision – and the flood of religious language from Republican leaders in Congress and the Senate – felt like a turning point. It was a signal that America might be realigning with its roots, returning to the values it was built on: faith, purpose, and the motto, “In God We Trust.”

Many people of faith have framed the battle against Iran as a spiritual confrontation. For Trump's religious supporters, the strike is seen not only as a bold geopolitical move but as the fulfillment of God's will.

Trump's decision to attack was foreshadowed by a text message sent to him last week by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The message, which Trump chose to share on Truth Social and through official White House social media channels, reflected the Evangelical Christian perspective Huckabee brings to his counsel. In it, he urged the president to "listen to the heavens" and let divine guidance shape his decisions regarding Israel's war with Iran.

"God saved you in Butler, Pennsylvania, to be the most consequential president in a century – and perhaps ever," Huckabee wrote. "There has never been a president in my lifetime like you. Not since Truman in 1945."

He continued: "You have many voices speaking to you, sir, but there is only ONE voice that matters. HIS voice," referring to God. "I believe you will hear from heaven, and that voice is far more important than mine or ANYONE else's."

The spiritual framing of the moment wasn't limited to American leaders. Even Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar began his public remarks about the strike on Sunday with a traditional Jewish prayer of gratitude: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has given us life, sustained us and allowed us to reach this day."

Moreover, the name of the war – Operation Rising Lion – has biblical roots. The name comes from a verse in the Book of Numbers: "Behold, the people shall rise as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eats of the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain" (Numbers 23:24).

Prime Minister Netanyahu placed a note containing part of this verse – "The people shall rise up as a lion" – into the Western Wall on Thursday, just hours before Israel attacked Iran.

The verse is part of a prophetic blessing delivered by Bilam, a pagan seer hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. But instead of a curse, Bilam spoke a blessing – declaring that Israel would rise strong and defeat its enemies, supported by divine power.

This spiritual framing mirrors how many Israeli officials have long portrayed the war against Iran and its terror proxies: not just as a military operation but as a moral struggle – a clash between right and wrong, good and evil, God and the devil.

"In the pages of human history, this is a moment when the principles of liberty, responsibility, and security have triumphed. A decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope," wrote Israeli President Isaac Herzog on 𝕏 Sunday morning after learning of the U.S. strike.

Last week, just days after Israel struck Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave an interview to ABC News. In it, he emphasized the long-standing danger posed by the Iranian regime.

"We've had half a century of conflict spread by this regime that terrorizes everyone in the Middle East; has bombed the Aramco oil fields in Saudi Arabia; is spreading terrorism and subversion and sabotage everywhere," Netanyahu said. "The 'forever war' is what Iran wants, and they're bringing us to the brink of nuclear war. In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil."

He added: "Today, it's Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, it's New York. Look, I understand 'America First'. I don't understand 'America Dead.' That's what these people want. They chant 'Death to America.' So we're doing something that is in the service of mankind, of humanity, and it's a battle of good against evil… Sometimes, you have to take a stand against evil. And that's what the American people instinctively understand. Most of them, I have to say. And that's what President Trump understands."

In the United States, dozens of Republicans, as well as some Democrats, rallied behind the president. Senator Ted Cruz said the U.S. attack was "countering the apocalyptic threat posed by an Iranian nuclear arsenal."

Many lawmakers, echoing Trump, invoked God in their responses – asking to "bless our troops," "bless the United States of America," and even to "bless President Trump."

"We pray for wisdom for President Trump and his team as they promote American peace through strength. God bless our troops," said Representative Tracey Mann in a statement.

Representative Tim Moore emphasized the global stakes: "Iran's radical regime is a threat to freedom everywhere and has spent decades spreading terror across the globe. President Trump made clear that any attack on Americans or our allies would be met with overwhelming force. May God bless and protect our troops as we confront the evil of Iran and its terrorist proxies."

And throughout all the statements, there were many prayers for peace.

"Peace through strength in action," said Rep. Nathaniel Moran.

"The President and those in our great military responsible for successfully carrying out this difficult mission have provided a meaningful opportunity for lasting peace in the Middle East and safety to the United States and our allies," added Rep. David Rouzer.

Representative Maria Salazar echoed the hope simply: "May peace prevail."

For Evangelicals, the call to peace is deeply rooted in scripture. They cherish the biblical instruction to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers," and the Apostle Paul reminded believers, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."

Millions of Evangelical Christians worldwide pray daily for peace in Jerusalem. So, for the faithful, the strike on Iran was not an act of war – it was a step toward the answering of that prayer.

Because when one believes the world is locked in a battle between good and evil, and the goal is true and lasting peace, then standing up to darkness isn't just justified – it's divinely ordained.