Iran has essentially declared war on Israel, as hundreds of drones and missiles were shot at Israel last night.
As the world braces for a reaction, Iranian Christians are praying for the protection of the world’s only Jewish nation and also asking for prayer as they prepare for increase persecution.
Last weekend I spent time with three Iranian fellowships and though the topic of our conversations were all different with each group, one thing was shared in common – their prayers for Israel.
Since the October 7 attack on Israel last year, Iran has supported Hamas with funds, weapons, and training. They have been attacking Israel via proxy, but now the mask has come off and there is no more hiding behind small terrorist groups.
Iran considers both Christianity and Israel as agents of Western influence in the Middle East and has vowed to destroy Israel; the anti-Israeli sentiment often spills over towards Christians in Iran. The Islamic government considers Christians as people who side with what they call ‘Zionist Israel’. As a result, in many ways, Christians pay a high price for how the government feels about Israel.
“Believers are messaging me from inside [Iran] asking for prayer for the Christians stuck in the middle of it all,” wrote Naghmeh Panahi last night during the attack. Naghmeh is a leader in the underground house church in Iran. Her testimony of ministry in the nation can be found in her biography “I DIDN’T SURVIVE.”
According to Naghmeh, “Many are fleeing Iran’s capital in anticipation of being attacked…[the Christians in Iran] are concerned and asking for prayer.”
Please pray for the safety of Israel and the underground church of Iran.
