VIOLENCE AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN IRAN
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VIOLENCE AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN IRAN
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The crisis in Afghanistan, particularly the plight of Christian brothers and sisters there, is rightly in the center of attention and intercession for many. But that nation’s neighbor to the west — Iran — is also making headlines. And Believers there need our prayers.
In recent days disturbing videos were released from one of Iran’s most notorious jails — Evin prison. If that name rings a bell, the reason is that Evin has been a brutal holding place for Christians and others the Iranian regime views as threats.
One of those is Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian convert from a Muslim family. Nadarkhani was detained 15 years ago, eventually sentenced to death, and, after international outcry, acquitted in September 2012. But then he was arrested again in 2018. According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), “plain clothes authorities raided Nadarkhani’s home and took him to the notorious Evin Prison. Authorities reportedly beat Nadarkhani and attacked his son with a taser during the raid.”
Evin prison is a dangerous place. 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.” Iranian authorities in the past have reportedly tried to downplay stories of the horrors there, but evidence presented by the new videos are shocking. Leaked surveillance footage from a hacker group called Edalat-e Ali show terrible scenes of beating, neglect, and other mistreatment of prisoners.
After viewing the videos, Heba Morayef, a regional expert at Amnesty International, said, “This disturbing footage offers a rare glimpse of the cruelty regularly meted out to prisoners in Iran. It is shocking to see what goes on inside the walls of Evin prison, but sadly the abuse depicted in these leaked video clips is just the tip of the iceberg of Iran’s torture epidemic.”
It’s bad. In fact, it’s bad enough that regime authorities are even taking action. Just this week, Iranian judiciary prosecutors announced criminal cases against six Evin guards. Iranian spokesman Zabihollah Khodaeian said, “The scenes shown in the published films were against the law and it is not justifiable under any circumstances.” Meanwhile, according to Radio Farda, an apology from the country’s top prison official was a “a rare admission of abuse by the authorities.”
Could this beam of light energize a larger movement for righteousness and justice? It’s difficult to believe given the track record of the Iranian regime, particularly after the rise of a new hardline president, Ebrahim Raisi. Indeed, USCIRF released a report last month documenting the escalation of persecution against Christians and other minorities in Iran, and Open Doors USA ranks Iran #8 on its list of top Christian persecutors.
Still, we know our Lord can and does turn what seems irreparable into good. Let’s pray for light and truth to prevail in Iran and throughout the region. And, as Open Doors suggests, let’s pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ — asking for “God to uphold their faith, embolden their outreach, and bless their efforts to bring others to Christ.”
Let’s especially pray for those individuals (and their families) who are suffering for their faith in Christ in prison.
Does this move your heart? Share a prayer in the comments below for our brothers and sisters in Iran, and for reform in the prison system.
Aaron Mercer is a Contributing Writer with two decades of experience in Washington, D.C.’s public policy arena. (Photo Credit: Canva).
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we know that the Lord knows our fears before we do,but really how brave would any of us be in these situations?..think about it..Lord God in heaven have mercy on these precious people..In The Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen
Your question is one I have often considered and am awed and humbled in each thought. I am reminded of Revelation 7 and reminded as well how little suffering I have been called to in my life. Peace to you sir.
https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/article/diocletians-great-persecution-christians-how-it-began/
…John saw a crowd too large to count, people from every tribe, nation, and language who were standing in front of the Throne and the Lamb. They were dressed in white, holding palm branches, shouting,” Victory to our God who sits on the Throne and to the Lamb!” … One of the elders asked John. “Who are these people and where are they from?” John said, Sir, you know. The elder said they were the people out of the Great Persecution who have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. That is why they are before God’s throne. “Day and night they serve him in his Temple; and the One who sits on the throne will put his Sh’khinah upon them.
Iran has long been abusing Christians. Bringing charges against these 6 guards at Evin Prison is a positive move on the part of the Iranian government. I hope and pray that it signals a significant move towards a true change in the Iranian society in general, and in its treatment of Christians specifically. I pray, Lord Jesus, for a positive change in the treatment of Christians in Iran. I pray that You give perserverance to these people, as well as your protection. Let Your will prevail in Iran.
Father in the name of Jesus, the apostles who were evangelizing the first believers who became early church were persecuted, the enemy gets angry and has many tricks up his sleeve to discourage believers, to cause fear, shake their faith and even take their lives, but you are sovereign, you know every sparrow that falls to the ground, humans who are more precious to you than sparrows, you have every hair counted, every tear is saved in your bottle, you know each persecuted one and each persecuted! Father we trust you, we know there is an end coming to the history of the earth, and times will be perilous in many ways, now more than every people need to turn to you with all their hearts all their souls all their minds and all their strength, to be in your perfect will your perfect timing, so as to be hidden in your pavilion, your strong tower, the palm of your hand. Father raise up the necessary army in each nation to advance your kingdom and equip the believers for these perilous days with gifts of the spirit and anointed teaching. Expose the false and raise up the true, protect the true, use the deaths of those appointed to martyerdom like Steven to save the phairsees and persecutors. In Jesus name we pray amen.,
Dearest LORD, we ask of YOU that YOUR STRENGTH would be with those that are imprisoned and their families and loved ones to keep holding on. Also, that all it would all be exposed. Also, that all believers, would pray for YOUR GUIDANCE during these days and for what’s ahead, in JESUS NAME amen. Thank YOU LORD
Father God, we pray that whatever was meant to hurt or torment the Christians, You would turn it into a non-existent thing- that they will not feel it:
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no Savior.
12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.
13 Yea, before the day was I am He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
14 Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
“Could this beam of light energize a larger movement for righteousness and justice?”
“Iran has the fastest-growing evangelical movement in the world. The second-fastest-growing church is in Afghanistan—where Afghans are being reached in large part by Iranians.”
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/fastest-growing-church-world/
Father, Your people in Iran and Afghanistan have seen a great light; for many living in this land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” “They are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for Your own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Jesus Christ who called them out of darkness into Your marvelous light.” I am humbled this morning Lord and in humility and unworthiness I cry out to you for each individual being tormented for their love of Jesus Christ. I ask for YOUR MARVELOUS LIGHT to shine in the court as these 6 Evin guards are tried and I pray the imprisonment of Christians would cease. Father for these who are suffering now, comfort. For the families of these, comfort. You are the God of the impossible, I pray it would please You “to do abundantly more than I can ask or imagine.” Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit. Amen
Matthew 4:16, 1 Peter 2:9 , Ephesiasn 3:20 (personalized)