Iran
Following the Shiite Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran became a theocratic police state with no regard for human rights. In the decade of the 1990s, a number of top evangelical leaders were martyred in an effort to end their calls for the rights of Christians to be protected, and to stop the growth of the Christian church.
This last year, persecution of Christian leaders has again dramatically increased. Police raids on Christian worship services are common. Pastors are arrested and tortured, and Bibles and other Christian materials are confiscated. Two Christian women were imprisoned for 6 months in the notorious Evin Prison, and just recently released. They were offered freedom earlier if only they would renounce their faith, but each time they refused.
Pastors are forbidden to preach in the official state language, witnessing is banned, and known Christians are subject to constant surveillance. Believers are marginalized in employment, education, and property ownership. Still, the Iranian church is growing. Young Iranians have seen the emptiness of Islam and are searching for the truth. The violent repression of protests over accusations of fraud following the 2009 election has further disillusioned many young Muslims. Converts from Islam face prison sentences, fines, the loss of jobs, alienation from their families, and sometimes death threats.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Iran
Churches in Iran
A Church in Tehran was recently ordered to stop holding its Friday services conducted in the Farsi (Persian) language. Farsi is the country’s official language and is spoken by a majority of Iranians.
Church Services Ordered to Cease
Another church in IRAN was ordered by Islamic court officials to end its Friday Farsi-language service and was threatened with the risk of being bombed. The services had been held on Friday because Sunday is a work day in Iran.
Pray that the congregation will have wisdom in how to proceed. “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Imprisoned Pastor Suffering
UPDATE: A pastor serving a long prison sentence in IRAN is in poor health. His hair has turned white, a serious foot injury may cause him to lose the use of his foot, and an intestinal disorder raises concern with his family, especially because his brother died from intestinal cancer.
Ask God to sustain him and his family. “Through Him we also have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Continuing to Pray
University Student Deprived of Education
A Muslim background believer studying at a university in IRAN was recently sentenced to one year of “deprivation of education” for attending a house church and other supposed crimes. She was arrested last fall and spent nearly 3 months in prison.
Pray that she will continue to grow in her new faith. “I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.”
Being a Christian Student in Iran
Fatemeh Nouri, a convert from Islam in Iran, was sentenced to one year of “deprivation of education” and held in prison for nearly three months because of her faith.
Church Member Remains in Prison
UPDATE: A pastor and church member have recently been released on bail after being arrested at an officially recognized church in IRAN this December. Another church member remains in prison. Two other officially registered churches have been forced to end their Friday Farsi-language services, effectively cutting their membership in half.
Pray for courage for Iranian believers. “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.”
Christians Released on Bail!
We are excited to report that several Iranian Christians have been released on bail! Farhad, Naser, and Davoud were arrested with other church members during a church raid in Ahwaz, Iran (alternatively spelled Ahvaz). Everyone present at the Friday worship service--including children--was arrested. Most of the church members were released within hours, and the pastor’s wife was temporarily released ten days later. But Farhad, Naser, and Davoud remained in prison, waiting.
Update on Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani
Some of you have been following the story of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani (alternatively spelled Youcef) for several years now. He was arrested in 2009 and sentenced to death for apostasy in 2010. Since then his case has been passed from court to court, sent to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameni for review, and stalled by the head of Iran’s judiciary.
Pastor Still under Death Sentence
UPDATE: According to some reports, the execution order was issued for a pastor in IRAN. He was arrested in 2009 and sentenced to death in 2010 for apostasy. In 2011 Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the sentence but sent his case back to the lower court for reexamination, where he was again declared guilty of apostasy. But the lower court delayed issuing a final verdict and instead referred the case to Iran’s Supreme Leader.