In the latest Middle East Report, we encourage listeners to pray for Iran where God is moving in unprecedented ways. Today, despite persecution, Ian is the second-fastest-growing church in the world, second only to Afghanistan. This is encouraging news but there is much to intercede about concerning this Middle East nation.
According to the research organization Operation World, Iran has the fastest-growing evangelical movement in the world. This is great news indeed and a reason to continue to pray for Iran on an ongoing basis.
In fact, Operation Worlds says that in the last 20 years, more Iranians have become Christians than in the previous 13 centuries—since Islam came to Iran! In 1979, there were an estimated 500 Christians from a Muslim background in Iran. Today, there are hundreds of thousands—some estimate more than 1 million.
Pic: Sat 7 – Young worshippers in the Middle East
How to Pray for Iran
The church in Iran is growing despite persecution and needs our urgent prayer. Thousands of Christians are driven underground. If converts are caught they face imprisonment. The church leaders and pastors are targeted for their faith. The Iranian authorities target Iranian pastors because they know if the pastors are no longer there, the church cannot survive. Instead, the Iranian church is driven underground and Iranians are coming to know Jesus. So, your prayers are vitally important for Iran and for the Iranian church.
- Pray for protection for all in church leadership in Iran;
- Intercede for the Iranian Christians that their faith would remain strong;
- Petition Heaaven for the authorities who feel threatened by the rapid growth of the Iranian Church, that God would bring them to salvation.
- Ask God that the testimony of these faithful Iranian believers would bring many more into the Kingdom.
Listen to Jennifer Nevill’s Iran-focused podcast, where she talks to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) about Christian persecution in the Middle East, and the need for fervent intercession.
“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:19)