Iran (MNN) – The United States says it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels as tensions continue to rise in the Persian Gulf. The strikes come as Iran attempts to disrupt oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes each day. Three commercial ships have been attacked there so far.
Nearly two weeks into Operation Epic Fury, Americans are asking if — and how — the conflict with Iran could escalate.
Steve Prince with Warriors Set Free (a program of Set Free Ministries) says no matter what happens politically, the veterans and service members he’s spoken with are committed to fighting evil.
“The mindset of the warrior comes down to, is there a threat? And are we willing to engage the threat?” Prince says, “For combat veterans, no matter where the combat is, we know the price that’s being paid when you step toe-to-toe with evil. I was in a veteran group earlier this morning, and one of them said, ‘I’m ready to go. Sign me up.'”
(Photo courtesy of Israel Palacio/Unsplash)
Programs like Warriors Set Free work with veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders who carry the lasting weight of those experiences. The ministry helps them process trauma through biblical counseling and community with other warriors.
“Warriors Set Free is a secure environment for warriors, combat veterans, [and] non-combat veterans to talk through their stuff, address it biblically, and find freedom. And I’ll tell you this: it works every time,” says Prince. “God never fails. His promises are true, and we get to have a front row seat of seeing what God does in the lives of some of America’s best and brightest, because they’ve suffered that trauma on our behalf.”
Prince explains the reality of evil is something most veterans understand deeply.
“Nobody really disagrees that evil exists,” he says. “The conversations and the disagreements are what we do about it. And in my opinion, doing nothing is a horrible plan.
“So we need to fight evil. It comes at a heavy price, and Warriors Set Free is specifically designed to help the warrior, military veteran, and first responder unpack their pain, find peace in it, and get healing from it that only comes through Jesus Christ.”
(Photo courtesy of Warriors Set Free)
As tensions remain high in the region, Prince encourages believers to pray for those currently in harm’s way.
“Pray as if it’s your own child over there. I have two friends who have sons in combat, so we’re praying for them by name. I also am praying for this to end quickly, for peace to thrive, and for good to overcome evil.”
Learn more about Warriors Set Free at warriorssetfree.org.
Header photo: Map of the Strait of Hormuz. (Image courtesy of FreeWorldMaps.net – https://www.freeworldmaps.net/ocean/hormuz-strait/)
