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On February 10th Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence ordered the Emmanuel Protestant Church and St Peter’s Evangelical Church (the last two officially registered churches holding Friday Farsi-language services in Tehran) to discontinue worship. Friday services in Tehran attracted the city’s converts to Christianity as well as Muslims interested in Christianity as Friday is most Iranians’ day off during the week. Authorities told the churches they can hold the services on Sunday, a working day when most Iranians are not able to attend. For full story see: http://www.christianpost.com/news/churches-forced-to-stop-farsi-worship-in-tehran-iran-69827/ Meanwhile the health of a jailed pastor of one of Iran's largest evangelical house church movements is deteriorating and there were fears Monday he may die. Behnam Irani was jailed for what critics view as ‘trumped up’ charges of ‘crimes against the Islamic state’ and is experiencing intestinal disorder. His family is very concerned because his brother died from intestinal cancer.
Pray: that God will supernaturally intervene to thwart strategies against Christian worship and outreach. (Ps.35:22-24)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11273-jailed-iranian-pastors-health-deteriorating
The blasphemy trial of five members from the Church of Iran has been adjourned due to a lack of evidence. (Thank you Lord) According to a news release from Christian Solidarity Worldwide the trial of Pastor Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani, Mehdi Furutan, Mohammad Beliad, Parviz Khalaj and Nazly Beliad has been adjourned until April 12th in order to give the prosecution more time to gather evidence. Lawyers representing the five have consistently maintained that there are no legal grounds for the blasphemy charges, and remain optimistic that the case will eventually be dismissed. In an earlier trial at the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, the five were handed a one-year sentence for Crimes against the Islamic Order, which their legal team believes will also be withdrawn on appeal. See also Prayer Alert 11-2011 Pray: fervently at this time for complete absolution for the five Christian men. (Ac.5:25)
The second earthquake to hit Iran in less than a week toppled homes and shops on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border on Tuesday. Iranian TV criticized international media for ‘exaggerating’ the death toll, raising questions about the full extent of the damage in the rugged region that's a front line in Iran's battle against drug traffickers and the Sunni-based militant group, Jundallah. The earthquake damaged area is home to the Baluch people- a remote tribal society. Iran's state-run Press TV initially said at least 40 people were killed on the Iranian side but later removed the figure from its website and news scroll. The website of Tehran Geophysics Center said the quake was the strongest in more than 50 years in one of the world's most seismically active areas. Pakistan reported 34+ killed on their side of the border and 80 were injured. Up to 1,000 mud homes were damaged, Pakistan Television added.
Pray: for all who were affected by the earthquakes especially those living in desolate hills and valleys. Pray also for those attempting rescue operations in a complicated emergency situation. (Ps.60:1-2)
More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/04/16/earthquake-iran-pakistan/2087047/
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, influential figures of the Islamic regime, especially Ayatollahs affiliated with the regime, have frequently tried to provoke government and security authorities to take action against Christians by making negative comments. According to a story by the Iranian Christian news agency Mohabat News, some Ayatollahs have made anti-Christian remarks because one of the greatest concerns of the Islamic clerics in Iran is the growth of Christianity in the county. Mohabat News said by so doing the Ayatollahs hope to decrease the growth of both Christianity and house churches in Iran. According to Mohabat News, in a statement, Ayatollah Noor-Allah Tabarsi, the Friday Prayer Imam in Sari, defamed Christianity and called today’s Christians ‘a shame for Christianity.’ Mohabat News said that Tabarsi, who is also the Supreme Leader's representative in Mazandaran province, claimed that all the corruption in the West was due to the inappropriate application of Christianity.
Pray: for Christians in Iran that they would be protected against the extremes of the Islamic regime.
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13010128.htm
Authorities in Iran last week ordered the closure of a church in the capital, Tehran, amid a government campaign to crack down on the few recognized churches offering Farsi-speaking services, according to a human rights group. The order came from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s Intelligence Branch, also known as Sepah. ‘Unfortunately, it is now official – the church in Janat-Abad district was ordered to shut down,’ said Monsour Borji, an Iranian Christian and advocacy officer for Rights Initiative Article 18. More than 70 Christians gather every Sunday for the Farsi-speaking service in Janat-Abad. Undoubtedly the order to close the church in the suburb of Tehran was handed down verbally, Borji said. ‘Due to an increasing number of Farsi-speaking believers – mostly MBBs (Muslim Background Believers) – it has become a cause of concern for the authorities and they now ordered it to shut down,’ he said.
Pray: that the authorities would hold back on these closures and that God would protect the believers. (1Th.3:7)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/iran/article_1595449.html
Iran is spending large amounts of money to counteract and confuse the Christianity that is spreading among Iranian youth. Haghighat-e-sabz-e-Gilan was formed to ‘identify religious teachings about both Islam and Christianity’ and to be ‘responsive to religious questions.’ The office of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Gilan province’s concern for the youth prompted a series of conferences ‘The Journey from Christianity to Islam’ with speeches by converts from Christianity to Islam. They are also establishing an Islamic internet radio station called ‘Voice of Christ’ with the intention of deceptively using Christ’s name to fight against Christianity. The station will answer questions about Christianity and targets Farsi speaking countries of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The programmes will be broadcast in the Gilaki dialect (dialect of the people of Gilan) and the Taleshi dialect (the local language of the people in northwest Iran).
Pray: that not one Gilaki, Taleshi or Farsi speaking searcher will be deceived and for seekers to hear the truth through Christian broadcasts. (Ps.119:17-19)
A pre-planned and coordinated attack by security forces on a bus full of Christians in the city of Mashhad resulted in all the occupants being arrested. They were travelling to join fellow believers when security forces arrested and transferred them to a central detention centre. After a week of inhumane interrogations13 were freed on bail. Stephen Reza and Ehsan Behrooz remain detained. Ehsan Behrooz is a university student and an active member of the Assemblies of God church in Mashhad. Mr. Reza is married with two children. Mashhad city is a centre of pilgrimage and despite Muslim clerics claims of having full control over the minds of locals, evidence shows that God has been doing a wonderful work in the minds and the hearts of the people of this great Islamic centre as many people have come to faith in Jesus Christ in the last few years. Pray: the Holy Spirit to keep in perfect peace these and other detained Christians in Iran. (SS.4:16) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/August/Iran-Arrests-15-Christian-Converts-/
Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) reports that on March 7, 2010 a new Christian convert by the name of Saeed, was stopped by two unmarked cars, belonging to the ministry of information. After searching his car and personal identification he was taken to the local jail. Upon his release Saeed was told that none of his personal identification documents would be returned to him and he was barred from leaving the city of Tanriz. Saeed has been accused of starting a home-based fellowship, teaching Christian doctrines, attempting to baptize new converts, and other related Christian activities. Remember also the two Christian women by the names of Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh, who were arrested and detained for nine months at the Tehran Evin Prison. According to reports thier trial started on Tuesday April 13.
Pray: for Iranian Christians as they face pressure from the authorities over their faith. (1Pet.1:6-7)
Iranian sources report the Revolutionary Guard deploying men and equipment in a ‘war alert’ situation’ in the Caspian Sea region due to increasing US and Israeli military personnel in Azerbaijan. On June 22 a Revolutionary Guards commander tasked with ‘repelling’ an US-Israeli offensive said, ‘reinforcements are being dispatched to West Azerbaijan Province because some western countries are fuelling ethnic conflicts to destabilize the situation in the region.’ Asian News reported ‘12 US warships transited through the Suez Canal a few days ago. Three naval squadrons are currently in the region. Forces appear to be in position for a possible attack against Iran’s nuclear sites. Late July and early August could provide a window of opportunity for action. Iran threatens chaos in Saudi Arabia if it is attacked. Economic factors are determining the timing of the crisis.’ Debka reports confirmed that in the last few days, Israel transferred a large number of bomber jets to bases in Azerbaijan, via Georgia, and US special forces are also concentrated in Azerbaijan in preparation for a strike.’ http://www.asianews.it/news-en/US-military-pressure-increasing-in-the-Persian-Gulf-18743.html Pray: that military and political leaders would act wisely and would seek peace. Pray that the strongholds of violence in the region would be bound. (Ps.5:10-12) More: http://www.debka.com/article/8868/
President Hassan Rouhani said, ‘a new opportunity has been created for those who truly respect democracy, interaction and free dialogue.’ He oversees an Iran whose social and economic situation is deteriorating, unemployment rising, inflation at unprecedented levels and many combining several jobs because the wage does not counterbalance inflation. There’s an increasing gap between rich and poor. Workers have no right to organise freely. Attempts to establish independent trade unions have been harshly repressed and labour leaders imprisoned on charges including ‘acting against national security’ and ‘spreading propaganda against the system.’ Over 50% of the population live under the poverty line. White House spokesman Jay Carney stopped short of congratulating Mr Rouhani urging him instead to heed the will of the Iranian people. ‘We respect the vote of the Iranian people and congratulate them for their participation in the political process,’ he added. This week on 20th June at Iranian embassies worldwide there will be demonstrations for imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini and human rights abuses. See also: http://www.fidh.org/iran-rising-poverty-declining-labour-rights-13403
Pray: that Mr Rouhani's change in style would address poverty, human rights issues and be flexible in dialogue towards the US and key UN Security Council members. (Mat.12:20)