I Prayed have prayed
Lord, we pray for Your light to overcome darkness in Iran. Please protect our brothers and sisters in Christ and free those incarcerated for their faith in You.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Iran is a dangerous place for Christians. So I was a bit surprised when I noticed a headline indicating that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani had been granted a brief reprieve from the infamous Evin Prison.

Nadarkhani, a Christian convert from a Muslim family, became a well-known name among religious freedom advocates abroad after his detention more than 15 years ago. His death sentence was eventually overturned in September 2012 after international outcry, but he was then arrested again in 2018. After a brutal invasion of his home, authorities sent him to Evin to serve a sentence for “promoting Zionist Christianity.”

But recently Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) announced that Iranian officials permitted Nadarkhani a 5-day furlough during which he was able to spend time with his family. Like many, my heart lifted at this news — even if it was only a short respite. But the question that kept coming to mind was, “Why?” Why this mercy, if that was what it was? And, if not, why the short break?

CSW said the reason for the furlough “is not currently clear,” and reminded readers that he was required to return to prison after 5 days. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) did not speculate on the reasoning for this reprieve either, but USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza called it “a welcome development following years of detention and a serious illness in Evin Prison.”

She added, “We call on Iran to fully release Pastor Nadarkhani and all other individuals serving prison sentences on the basis of their religious beliefs.”

In that petition is an important reminder. My nature is to cautiously stay open to rays of light — to believe no darkness is truly impenetrable. But we must remember that Iran is very dark. USCIRF has documented escalating repression of Christians and other minorities, and Open Doors USA actually ranks Iran #8 on its list of top Christian persecutors.

Open Doors notes, “Christians in Iran know that they can be arrested at any time and charged with serious infractions that will send them to prison for years. Many are now serving time under the banner of ‘acting against national security.’ The so-called crime behind the arrests is simply attending a house church to worship Jesus privately with other believers.”

That insight sadly came into particular focus this week when — even as the Nadarkhani furlough news emerged — Iran imprisoned a Christian woman for “acting against national security by establishing and leading an Evangelical Christian church.” Authorities sent Fariba Dalir to that same dark place that has held Nardakhani and other believers: Evin Prison.

Marziyeh Amirizadeh, another Christian woman who suffered in Evin for 259 days, recently described that terrible place in a British news article. She described filth, disgusting food, violence, and no medical care for Christians like her. The prison is “something from a horror movie,” she said.

Amirizadeh added, “As for the guards, their job was to humiliate us, to break our spirit and make us confess to whatever false charges they created. We were just animals to them.”

Evin in so bad that it was even sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2018 for “brutal tactics inflicted by prison authorities, including sexual assaults, physical assaults, and electric shock.” While Iranian authorities try to downplay such stories, surveillance footage of beatings, neglect, and other mistreatment of prisoners leaked last year corroborate the allegations.

With all this in mind — not to mention Iran’s hardline threat to our nation and, most particularly, Israel — it is easy to look past the Nadarkhani furlough as an anomaly. Or perhaps it was no kindness at all.

But what if it is somehow a fissure of light? It would not be the only one. Open Doors reported earlier this year on a “stunning decision” from an Iranian court finding that 9 Christians were not subverting state security simply because they worshiped as Christians. Of course, the darkness remains. In fact, authorities have already moved against several of those acquitted with additional charges. But the ruling is worthy of note.

So what can we do? How could we pray? Open Doors offers this idea for intercessors: “Pray that God will open the eyes of the authorities to see that Christians aren’t a threat to Iran but a valuable part of Iranian society. Ask Him to change the hearts of those in charge, that they may even see the hope of Jesus.”

As you see Iran in the news in the weeks ahead, would you pray for the light of our Lord to overcome the torturous and tyrannical darkness there? And let’s pray for life and liberty for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Aaron Mercer is a Contributing Writer with two decades of experience in Washington, D.C.s public policy arena. Photo Credit: mostafa meraji on Unsplash.

Comments (6) Print

Comments

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Herb Johnston
April 24, 2022

What keeps coming to my mind in regard to all these different articles,.. and also our situation here in the United States, is that many Prayer Warriors and Christians alike- have prayed for many years- about issues, and the extent of those endeavors often being revealed to be exercises in discipline- that illustrate our obedience to the Lord.., in building our character.. and in being faithful.
While we may not know the outcome of our prayers.. it does not indicate that the Lord is not responding, as anyone praying here on a regular basis already knows .
I am not saying that in any critical way.. I am just basically ..I guess -,repeating what I have been taught and heard over many many years..since 1985 when I first got saved. It is so hard.. I cannot imagine- what the people in Iran are suffering like.. Although if the Lord does not redeem us here..soon- we will be finding out. There was a woman here on Intercessors for America that was on one of the daily broadcast on YouTube about 4 months ago- or longer.. during the 50 days of prayer… leading up to December 1st Dobbs case . She has been praying to end abortion in America since Roe versus Wade started in 1973. I am awestruck at the level of discipline and loyalty. However I am grateful that in experiencing her discipline and loyalty- that left an indelible mark on me.. And that is a good thing.

Herb Johnston
April 24, 2022

Lord-, I pray that you would provide for the group Christian Solidarity Worldwide- to have your Holy Spirit power and your mindset.. in their negotiations.
I pray for your favor with the Iranians.. that are at the core of this issue-that are oppressing people.,that they would sense the power of your Holy Spirit Lord. My intent here is to keep this prayers simple..as the issues are involved. As it states in the prayer at the end of the article- as well.. I pray that-,Lord your light would overcome the tyrannical and torturous nature of the jailers-and those in the government in Iran, that are under the control of various terrorist organizations..also praying for pastor Nadarkhani-and Fariba, and Marziyeh..that they would know your mercy. Let your mercy and your Holy Spirit flow through these people and the situation that they would be freed Lord and attorney would stop and it would be a great revival in Iran.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen

2
Lucy L ParkerPrimrose
April 23, 2022

The parallel to what January 6th prisoners are experiencing is shocking, in our country!

8
    Herb Johnston
    April 24, 2022

    What keeps coming to my mind in regard to all these different articles,.. and also our situation here in the United States, is that many Prayer Warriors and Christians alike- have prayed for many years- about issues, and the extent of those endeavors often being revealed to be exercises in discipline- that illustrate our obedience to the Lord.., in building our character.. and in being faithful.
    While we may not know the outcome of our prayers.. it does not indicate that the Lord is not responding, as anyone praying here on a regular basis already knows .
    I am not saying that in any critical way.. I am just basically ..I guess -,repeating what I have been taught and heard over many many years..since 1985 when I first got saved. It is so hard.. I cannot imagine- what the people in Iran are suffering like.. Although if the Lord does not redeem us here..soon- we will be finding out. There was a woman here on Intercessors for America that was on one of the daily broadcast on YouTube about 4 months ago- or longer.. during the 50 days of prayer… leading up to December 1st Dobbs case . She has been praying to end abortion in America since Roe versus Wade started in 1973. I am awestruck at the level of discipline and loyalty. However I am grateful that in experiencing her discipline and loyalty- that left an indelible mark on me.. And that is a good thing.

    1
Marsha Bashor
April 23, 2022

Oh God, let there be light in Iran. Please penetrate into the darkness there for the sake of the people and Christians who are there, and for the ones who have been imprisoned. Please let your love and mercy be shown somehow. Let this small light that took place with Pastor Nadarkhani grow and grow and overtake the darkness. Thank you Lord!💌

18
Laura K
April 23, 2022

Lord have mercy and keep Pastor Nadarkhani safe. Let his life be a light to those he comes into contact with. Bring justice and freedom to bear and bring glory to Your name as he is a witness to You.

18

Partner with Us

Intercessors for America is the trusted resource for millions of people across the United States committed to praying for our nation. If you have benefited from IFA's resources and community, please consider joining us as a monthly support partner. As a 501(c)3 organization, it's through your support that all this possible.

Dave Kubal
IFA President
Become a Monthly Partner

Share

Click below to share this with others

Log in to Join the Conversation

Log in to your IFA account to start a discussion, comment, pray, and interact with our community.