Iran (MNN) — Tensions rise between the United States and Iran amid sanctions, threats, and fights over missiles, nuclear deals, oil stores, and shipping routes.
Last week, Iran tested ballistic missiles as the U.S. worked with allies to safeguard ships in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Middle East Monitor, Russia predicts “full-scale armed conflict” in the region.
Unfortunately, these sky-high political tensions have led to a crackdown within Iran, explains Heart 4 Iran’s Mike Ansari. “In the last few weeks, [the] Iranian government has announced the arrest of multiple Iranian citizens who were allegedly CIA spies,” he says.
“In light of the recent sanctions, Iranian authorities are increasing the pressure on Western governments to loosen up the restrictions imposed on Iran.”
Authorities often target believers for accusation and arrest.
Life for believers inside Iran
Earlier this year, Open Doors USA placed Iran at #9 on its World Watch List – a ranking of 50 nations where following Christ is most difficult. By law, Christians cannot share their faith with non-Christians. Believers from a Muslim background face the most oppression because Islamic law governs Iran; society views converts as apostates.
“In Iran, conversion from Islam to Christianity – known as apostasy – is strictly forbidden. In fact, Iranian religious rulers have publicly advocated for the death penalty as a punishment for apostasy,” Ansari explains.
“When a Muslim converts to Christianity, they are warned, persecuted, [sometimes] arrested, and their belongings are confiscated.”
For converts who leave Iran, return could mean imprisonment and severe persecution. “Case in point – Mrs. Fatemeh Azad, a 58-year-old Iranian convert to Christianity who fled Iran, sought refuge in Germany, but was denied asylum and deported back to Iran,” Ansari describes.
“Upon her return, she was arrested and released on bail.”
As reported here by International Christian Concern:
When Fatemeh made her asylum appeal, her lawyers argued that apostasy (conversion away from Islam) is punishable by the death penalty in Iran. This penalty has not been issued in Iran for several years, in large part thanks to international pressure. However, Iran regularly imprisons converts for years. Christians are commonly charged with “acting against national security” and can face a prison sentence of up to 15 years with this charge.
“The Iranian Christian community in diaspora is concerned with the safety and well-being of Mrs. Azad while she resides in Iran,” Ansari says.
How to help
Mrs. Azad’s case represents a larger challenge, he adds. That’s an urgent matter for which you can pray.
“The real concern for Mrs. Azad is that Iranian authorities may use her as a pawn to not only instil fear in the heart of their own people but challenge the international community on human rights and religious freedom in Iran.”
Ask the Lord to comfort and encourage Fatemeh Azad during her imprisonment. Pray for her safety, Ansari requests, and “pray for the multitude of Iranian refugees who have legitimately fled Iran and can’t go back.”
Heart4Iran partners with over 100 groups to bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ to the people of Iran.
Reporting by Katey Hearth for Mission Network News
More at: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/believers-targeted-amid-us-iran-tensions/
Pray: For the safety and freedom of Mrs. Fatemeh Azad and many others in a similar situation to practice their faith.
Pray: That she will not be used as a pawn within Iran or internationally.
Pray: For those working to represent Mrs Azad and other Christians who face persecution in their home countries.
Key Prayer Resources for our World
01 Aug 2019
ORDERS FOR BOOKLETS
Many pre-orders for this year’s booklets have already been received. They can be ordered here:
https://www.worldchristian.com/product/hindu-world-prayer-guide-2019
Celebrating 25 years of Mobilizing Prayer for our World’s Neighbors.
Hindu World: Oct 20-Nov 3, 2019 (available this Summer)
Buddhist World: Any 15 Days in 2019 (available now)
Muslim World: May 6-June 4, 2019 (booklets still available)
Paul Filidis
PO Box 9208
Colorado Springs, CO 80932
More at:https://www.worldchristian.com/
Be encouraged as you listen to John D Robb, Chairman of International Prayer Connect being interviewed by Daniel Lim, CEO of iHOP about how the Lord has led him in his service to the Prayer Movement around the world in recent decades. John shares some of the breakthroughs.
More at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k4lurlki5dfQV7Aju1vbqvWiD4CaHva-/view?usp=sharing
Europe: UnitedHive Testimonies App
01 Aug 2019
WHAT'S UP IN EUROPE? - God is doing extraordinary things through ordinary people like us. We can see that during events and camps or through everyday friendships, the Body of Christ in Europe is alive! UnitedHive is an app where you can find testimonies of what God is doing in Europe and in your region. Check it out HERE, it’s a fun way to share and read about lives being changed.
Religious moments in space
25 Jul 2019
We recently celebrated fifty years since men landed on the moon. But NASA did not share one celebration on that day. Once the lunar module landed in the Sea of Tranquillity, Buzz Aldrin radioed Earth to say they wanted a moment’s reflection on what had just happened. Then he turned off the radio. Aldrin, who was a church elder, opened containers of bread and wine that he had brought with him and read John 15:5. In the 1/6th gravity of the moon the wine curled slowly and gracefully up the side of the cup: the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the first food eaten there, were communion elements. A few years earlier three Catholic astronauts took Holy Communion on board the Endeavour, and Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon said the Jewish Shabbat Kiddush prayer while in space.
God still heals supernaturally
25 Jul 2019
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr told a congregation, ‘I saw the lame walking and people healed at a conference in California. We prayed for healing, and people were healed all over the place. We saw one man's hand open for the first time in five years. Another man, in a wheelchair, began to stand up and dance while they were playing their music.’ He told them that he was describing these miracles so that they would have opportunities to ‘get a word deep within you, that you would be so filled up with the awareness of the Holy Spirit that when people look at you, they say, “That is amazing. I must go see what that is”. You see, you don't need a twelve-step programme. All you need is one moment in God's presence. I believe that can change your life.’
Apulstock Festival: 20 July
25 Jul 2019
Apulstock is a safe music festival in Sussex, for people with special needs. It is organised and run by volunteers whose sole aim is to inspire and entertain people who don’t have the opportunities or support to attend the larger annual music festivals. Apulstock is a mixture of music and dance slots led by professional rap, rock and roll, and alternative musicians plus lots of fun bands encouraging audience participation in Zumba fitness and funky dance routines. Every week, across the country, there is an army of volunteers using their talents to touch the lives of the hidden 2% in our communities. They deliver special church services, discos, karaoke, sports, arts and crafts, gardening, etc to develop people’s individual strengths and support them to overcome their weaknesses.
Intercessor Focus: new leader
25 Jul 2019
Lord, you moved the heart of Cyrus, even though he did not know you, to do your will for the sake of the nation (2 Chron. 36:22). You changed Saul’s heart and used him to fulfil your purposes (Acts 9:4). The UK has a new prime minister. We pray that you will enable Boris Johnson to stride into your Kingdom purposes with every decision he makes. We ask You, Father, to use his strong intellect to take us on the Brexit journey and also to inject your purposes into education, the NHS, social services, police, military, commerce and industry; bringing them back onto the paths of mercy and moral laws. Father please open his mind to Your strategies for the coming months. May he lead this nation into restoration and renewal. Surround him with wise advisers who have Your vision and anointing to meet the needs of society through Brexit transitions to achieve a ‘breakthrough’ in the Irish border blockage.