Pray

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,.. but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms..” Ephesians 6:12

Partner with us in prayer to see God’s kingdom come and be built up in the Persian world. Please pray with us:

Christianity continues to grow in Iran

It is encouraging that many are coming to faith in Christ in Iran and believers would value prayers for protection as many house churches are under threat of attack by the authorities.

Many were detained late last year and have not yet been released.  Pray especially for a man called Sina Moloudian, aged 26, who was arrested in Esfahan in Iran in January in front of his parents.  Officials confiscated his Christian materials and allegedly beat him before placing him in custody’.[1]

Also an older man named Ishmaeil Maghrebinejad aged 64 was arrested in Shiraz in Iran in January and released on bail.  ‘Officials confiscated his phone and laptop.  He has already survived a previous attempt on his life’.[2]

Please pray for God’s strength and protection for imprisoned believers and their families.  Pray also for wisdom for believers who have been released and are unable to meet with other fellow believers.

[1] www.release.org.uk

[2][2] www.release.org.uk

Two Christian Sisters Arrested Now Released On Bail

Two Christian sisters named Shima and Shokoufeh Zanganeh were temporarily released on bail from prison in Ahvaz.  They remain free until their trial begins. 

Security officials raided their home and confiscated ‘Bibles and other Christian material saved on memory sticks’.[1] 

A large number of Christians have recently been arrested in Iran.  Please pray that they would know God’s strength and protection and also for their families. 

[1] www.mohabatnews.com

Christian Convert Previously Arrested Now Released On Bail

An Iranian Christian named Jamshid Derakhshan who had been arrested on November 30th 2018 in Karaj has been ‘temporarily released on bail since December 16th 2018’. He had been arrested during a house search while a church gathering were meeting in his home.  He has had a difficult time as a believer.  He came to Christ over thirty years ago and has since been summoned to court three times and fired from his job as an aviation officer.  Please pray for him and for other believers like him who face tremendous persecution that they would know Christ’s comfort and remain steadfast, ‘…The Lord is on my side I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ Ps 118v6

[1] www.mohabatnews.com

Prison sentence issued for Christian couple south of Iran

In 2015 a group of Christian converts were arrested in Busheher city, a port in southwest Iran.  A case has recently been opened again regarding twelve who have been arrested for forming house churches.

Amongst those arrested were Shapur Jozi and his wife Parastoo Zariftash accused of promoting propaganda against the Iranian Regime.  Their case is currently under review, please pray for them during this difficult time.[1]

[1] www.mohabatnews.com

Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani arrested after violent raid

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani has been detained in Evin prison following a violent raid on his home in Rasht by police on 22nd July.  Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported that ‘police smashed the front door, punched the pastor and his teenaged son Daniel, and used electrical batons on them despite the fact that they were offering no resistance’.[1]

The pastor was at home on bail awaiting a summons to return to prison following the failure in May of an appeal against his conviction and that of four fellow church members.

Pray that God would protect and strengthen them and their families and that the Government would be led to protect the freedom of religion to Christians: ‘This is my comfort in my affliction.  For your word has given me life’ Ps 119v50.’

[1] www.csw.org

Iranian Christian released from prison

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has reported that Mohammadali Yassaghi an Iranian Christian was released from prison on 25th June.  The verdict was delivered at a court hearing where the presiding judge dismissed the charges against him.

Mohammadali was arrested on 10th April 2018: the ’52-year-old father of three was accused of spreading propaganda against the establishment’[1].

[1] www.csw.org

Ten year sentences upheld for four Christians

Ten year sentences which were handed down to Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Fadaie in July 2017 have been upheld upon appeal.  They were charged with acting against national security.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide have reported this update and we pray that God would strengthen them and in his time would enable them to be released: But I have trusted in your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in your salvation.[1]

[1] www.csw.org.uk

Iranian Christian convert refused bail

An Iranian Christian convert named Hadi Asgari aged forty who was convicted of acting against national security ‘through evangelism and sentenced to ten years imprisonment and a two-year ban from departing the country’[1] has been denied bail.

His family worked tirelessly to attempt to enable him to be released for Persian New Year, but this was denied, and officials decided to review his case after the New Year.

Pray that he and his family would know God’s presence and strength at this difficult time.  ‘Even though I am afflicted and needy.  Still the Lord takes thought and is mindful of me’.

[1] www.mohabatnews.com

Growing concerns over Iranian prisoner’s health

A Christian prisoner named Naser Navard Goltapeh was arrested in 2016 with three Azerbaijani believers and sentenced to ten years imprisonment for ‘acting against national security and establishing house churches.’[1]  His family are concerned about his health and believes he needs urgent medical treatment for an infection.

His appeal was rejected in court in November 2017.  Please pray that God would strengthen him and the other prisoners and that in God’s time they would be released and enabled to receive medical treatment.

[1] www.mohabatnews.com

Prayer for imprisoned Iranians

Please pray for Victor Bet-Tamraz, Amin Afshar-Naderi, Kaviyan Fallah-Mohammadi and Hadi Asgari who were all given heavy jail sentences last year in Iran for offences connected to ‘evangelism and acting against national security.’[1]

Records highlight that between May and November 2017, twenty one Christians were sentenced in Iran for extensive periods of time.

In addition, four Christians were arrested in October in south west Iran.  One remains in custody and has been transferred to a prison around ninety miles away.

Please pray for strength and ultimately for their release and that God would be their sustaining strength: for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.  But God’s Word is not chained’.

[1] www.releaseinternational.org