Lara and Shana are two sisters living in Iran. They both came to faith at different times by hearing about Jesus on some social media channels they follow. They knew it was dangerous for them to share this news with anyone, so they kept their newfound faith to themselves. They were not sure how to learn more about Jesus or whom to get in touch with. Many Christian websites are blocked from access to citizens in the country, and visiting social media sites can also be dangerous. They knew they wanted a Bible to read, but they did not know who to ask for a Bible. No one around them knew they were Christians and they did not know any Christians.
Despite the danger, they decided to ask for a Bible via the Facebook page of a partner we work with. After three months of waiting, they received a call from a stranger. In a brief cryptic-sounding message, they were asked to travel to the corner of an intersection at a location in their city at an appointed time. For easy identification, they were told to wear blue headscarves. Lara and Shana walked to the spot very anxiously, not sure if it was a trap for them by the authorities. As they walked around the corner, a car pulled up, pretending to leave a bag of garbage on the street.
The man in the car motioned to the sisters and they understood that they had to take the bag with them. Looking around to see if they were being watched, they hurriedly picked up the bag and when they got home they discovered that it contained a Bible! They were thrilled to read the New Testament for the first time. What a joy! Now they could secretly read the Bible together every evening and learn more about the God who had revealed Himself to them. Since that day they have also been contacted by a small house church, which they sometimes visit.
Oppression of Christians in Iran
Iran has maintained a very oppressive attitude towards Christianity since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Christians who actively express their faith – especially converts from Islam – are subject to arrest and prosecution by the State.
Aside from Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity, no other religious minorities are recognized by law or afforded rights under the Constitution. Among Christians, only ethnic Armenians, Assyrians, and a small expatriate community are recognized by the government. These groups are relatively free to practice their faith. They can face legal and societal discrimination and are not permitted to hold services or possess religious materials in Farsi or Persian. They can face imprisonment if they promote Christianity among people from a Muslim background or invite them for church services. If they are caught supporting converts, they may be sent to prison.
Unable to attend existing churches belonging to the Armenian and Assyrian communities, converts either gather in informal meetings in private homes, known as “house churches”, for prayer, worship, and Bible study or are forced to remain isolated and disconnected from other Christians.
Conversion from Islam to Christianity is illegal in Iran, and anyone caught as a convert can be arrested and imprisoned. The government views conversion as an attempt by the West to undermine Islam and the Islamic government of Iran. This means that anyone who is discovered to be a member of a house church can be charged with a crime against national security, which can lead to long prison sentences. Anyone arrested or detained can be tortured and abused while in jail. Some Christians are released and monitored—and they know that a second arrest would mean a long prison sentence.
Please Pray
- Pray for the many secret converts in Iran who have come to faith from an Islamic background.
- Pray that God would protect them from arrest and imprisonment and from being reported to the authorities.
- May the Lord change the hearts of the leadership in the Iranian government, for them to allow freedom for all religions.
