A 30-Day Prayer Guide for Iran and the Region.
Forbidden But Not Forsaken!
“... I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5, ESV
Dear Friend,
In 2021, Iran was ranked the eighth most dangerous country to be a follower of Jesus. Yet, the underground church in this closed country is among the fastestgrowing in the world. Christianity may be forbidden in Iran, but God has not forsaken His people.
“Do you think Jesus would forgive me?” asked a Taliban executioner who had taken refuge in Iran. Not only did he give his heart to Christ, but now he is leading many to Christ through his house-church.
God is at work in Iran. Jesus is building His church. The Spirit is transforming lives. The Gospel is on the move. And more than ever before, your prayers are needed. We ask you to partner with us to intercede and pray for Iran. In this booklet, you will find 30 strategic prayer points which will help you better understand the true needs inside Iran.
Thank you for having a heart for Iran.
Mike Ansari, CEO, Heart4Iran
ABOUT IRAN:
Iran (pronounced ee-RAHN), formerly known as Persia, is situated at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Arab states of the Middle East. This strategic position—and its access to the Persian Gulf in the south— have made Iran an important country throughout its history.
Much of Iran is cut off from the outside world by a beautiful but often lonely landscape. High, rugged mountains create a barrier with Iran’s neighbors in the west, and the eastern region is covered by a barren, salty desert.
In Iran’s north, a narrow, fertile strip borders the Caspian Sea, and in the south, lowlands rim the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Most people in Iran live along the edges of a high plateau that runs through the middle of the country.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV
We are reminded in 1 Thessalonians to pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all circumstances because this is the will of God for our lives, yet there are so many Iranians that are still living in darkness. The times are urgent for our Iranian brothers and sisters so we must do our part by praying without ceasing. Through our obedience to pray, we believe Iran will be transformed by the power of the Gospel.
Will you join us over the next 30-days in praying for Iran? It has been said that it takes 30-days to create a new habit, we hope this will create a new habit within you to always remember Iran in your prayers. Thank you for being a friend to Heart4Iran!
QUICK FACT:
DAY 1IRAN
Iran, known as Persia in the Bible is the land of Esther, Daniel, Cyrus, Darius, and Xerxes. It was the Persian King Cyrus that delivered the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity. In fact, his name, life, and deeds were foretold by the prophet Isaiah 150 years before his birth. God chose Iran to carry His divine will.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Afshari - Population 383,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we will rejoice always and pray without ceasing, remembering to give thanks in all circumstances. Thank you for blessing the nation of Iran with God encounters.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
1Timothy 2: 1-2, ESV
QUICK FACT:
The Bible says the wise men or magi came from the east. Magi is a Persian word meaning wise men specializing in astrology. The present-day countries of Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Iran are east of Jerusalem. At the time of the birth of Jesus, Zoroastrianism was the national Persian religion and there was much emphasis on the study of the heavens. As such, three Iranian cities called Saveh, Hamedan, and Reziyah each claim that the wise men originated there.
We want to please God by how we live and we do this by obeying His Word. We read in 1 Timothy 2 that we should pray for leaders in government and by doing so, we can see God move through our prayers upon governments. We have the opportunity to stand in the gap and see God move through our prayers upon the government of Iran.
As we pray, let’s decree and declare that Iran’s government is changing for the better so Iranians can experience the freedom they deserve. Let’s trust God to move mightily inside Iran!
Will you join us in praying that Iran’s government will be transformed by the power of the Gospel?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Azari (Azerbaijani) - Population 16,733,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray, as commanded in 1 Timothy, for the government of Iran to change for the better. We pray that evil would be exposed so it can be removed and that the right leaders would be put in place.
DAY 3HEARTS
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26, ESV
QUICK FACT:
What a beautiful promise, not just for us but for our Iranian brothers and sister’s! We know what a precious gift salvation is and we want them to experience the joy of having a relationship with God. It’s through an open heart that God can pour out His Spirit and people are set free.
As Iranians experience the joy of their salvation, let us continue to pray that God will stir their hearts with greater hunger to know Him more and walk in the fullness of His promises.
Will you join us in praying for open hearts all over Iran? Pray with us that scales will fall off of people’s eyes so they can see and receive God’s truth.
Persians were present at the Feast of Pentecost, according to the Acts of Apostles. They heard Peter’s spirit-filled sermon, repented, and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. According to verified historical documents, Iranians played a key role in spreading the Gospel throughout Asia. An Iranian missionary named Alopen arrived in China in 635 A.D and because of his ministry, there was a strong Christian church in central China for several hundred years.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Baharlou - Population 9,900
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of salvation. We pray that our brothers and sisters in Iran will receive a new heart to know You as promised in Ezekiel 36:26.
DAY 4CRISIS
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:24
QUICK FACT:
After the Muslim conquest of Persia (637-651) which led to the end of the Sasanian Empire, the Persian Christian persecutions intensified. This weakened the Persian Church. The 13th-century invasion of Genghis Khan almost eliminated the dying church from the face of Persia. Only a remnant survived, fleeing to the western mountains of Iran.
As promised in Amos 5:24, we want to see justice roll down like waters over the social and economic crisis inside Iran. Every human being deserves social and economic justice. To live in crisis takes a toll on the mind, body, and soul, let’s ask God to intervene and see the crisis inside Iran turn into victory.
Iranians continue to endure the social and economic crisis because they’ve found the support they need through our 24/7 Mohabat.TV satellite and call center.
Will you join us in praying that God will pour out His Spirit in Iran so they will experience justice and live in victory?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Arab (Arabic Gulf Spoken & Iranian) - Population 1,740,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that justice will flow inside Iran and that the people will live in righteousness. We thank you for blessing the people of Iran and healing their land.
Look to the LORD and His strength; seek his presence continually.
1 Chronicles 16:1
Besides the Lord, family should be the most important thing in each of our lives. Family is a gift from God that He expects us to steward with great love; therefore, it makes sense that the enemy hates family.
It’s critical that we cover Iranian families in prayer as they fight the good fight of faith in serving God and each other. It’s a beautiful reminder in 1 Chronicles 16:11 to look to the Lord and His strength, as we fight for our families.
Will you join us in praying over families, that they will encounter the goodness of God and receive His strength?
QUICK FACT:
For centuries the largest group of professing Christians in Iran were the Armenians. Their origin is traced back to the country of Armenia, which was the first country in the world to embrace Christianity officially. Armenia became a buffer zone invaded at different times by both empires. In 1604, the king of Iran, Shah Abbas, who ruled over Armenia forced masses of Armenians to leave Armenia and go to Iran. Armenians persevered countless persecutions and kept the fire of Christianity alive in Iran.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Armenian - Population 110,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray for strong families in Iran. We pray that you would protect them as they look to You for strength. Thank you that families in Iran are experiencing Your love.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9, ESV
QUICK FACT:
Assyrian Persian Christians are descendants of the Assyrian Empire which was one of the oldest civilizations in the world, dating back to 2500 BC in ancient Mesopotamia. Assyrians were Christianized in the first to third centuries. Over centuries, despite severe persecution, Assyrians kept the Christian traditions in Iran alive. Among their many contributions to Iran, Assyrians residing in Urmia proved to be the best defenders of the Azerbaijan frontier in the 19th-century.
We read throughout Scripture a call for repentance, remembering that it’s the Lord’s will that none should perish, but that they would repent. As we reflect on God’s Word and His desire for all people, let us be mindful of our responsibility to pray for Iranians to repent and be restored to a loving Heavenly Father.
Every human was created for a relationship with God, and we’ll never be complete until we repent and are restored to Him. Iranians need the truth of God’s Word so they can see their need for repentance.
Will you join us in praying that Iranians will repent and be saved? Will you join us praying that God will pour out His Spirit in Iran thus ushering in revival?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Assyrian - Population 110,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father we pray that Iranians would repent of sin and be saved. We pray that hearts will be open as You pour out Your Spirit in Iran.
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19, ESV
There are still so many inside Iran that have not been reached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is not something to be afraid of, instead, it’s a beautiful challenge to become what Jesus declared in Matthew 4:19, fishers of men.
Just like we need a Savior, so do our brothers and sisters inside Iran, are we willing to do whatever it takes to reach them with the hope of the Gospel? Do we believe that we are anointed to be fishers of men? I believe we will and I believe we do!
Iran is ripe for revival and I believe we will do our part to usher in God’s power so the unreached are reached.
QUICK FACT:
In the early 1800’s Henry Martyn, a young Anglican priest translated the Persian New Testament and presented it to Fath-Ali Shah in Tehran in 1811. The Church of England ministered in the southern part of Iran mainly in cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz, Kernan and Ahvaz. Their missionaries concentrated on reaching the Muslims and Jews.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Bakhtiari - Population 1,263,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we know the assignment is big; however, we believe You are bigger still and that you will help us be fishers of men so we can reach the unreached people of Iran.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword.
Romans 8:35, ESV
QUICK FACT:
The first missionaries under the American Board of Commissioners (Presbyterian and Congregational Churches) went to Iran in 1832. Originally they worked among the Assyrians in Rezayieh hoping to promote a spiritual awakening among them. However, when a revival took place with some of the nominal Christians being born again, these believers were forced to leave the ancient church. As a result, the Evangelical Church came into existence in 1855.
Imagine sneaking around to go to church. Imagine looking over your shoulder, wondering if you’ll be caught but also, being so hungry for God that you’re willing to get caught just so you can gather together with like-minded believers!
This is the reality for every Christian inside Iran and they know the dangers of being a believer inside a nation that is closed to the Gospel. Yet, they’re willing to endure persecution because they’ve found Jesus and they never want to live without Him.
Will you join us in praying for the underground church movement inside Iran? Will you pray for their protection and growth?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Balouch (Southern and Western) - Population 1,270,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray for Your protection, and for Your wisdom upon the pastors and leaders of the underground churches. Thank you, God, that the underground church movement is going to explode because of Your great power.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV
Everyday, isolated believers wake up knowing that they could stand before a judge because they are a Christian. Yet, they get up and live their lives for God’s glory to be seen.
This is why Christianity is exploding inside Iran, because Christians are admitting their weakness and finding God’s strength. Through hardships and great persecution, they remain faithful to the Lord and the Lord remains faithful to them.
God’s Word is truth and He promises to make a way where there seems to be no way. Iranians are a strong people that love God and their fellow man.
QUICK FACT:
The official name of Iran is the Islamic Republic of Iran. It became a republic in 1979 when the monarchy was overthrown and religious clerics assumed political power under supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini. The Islamic regime ushered in a season of intense persecution of religious minorities across Iran, resulting in the martyrdom of many Iranian Christians. However, the underground church in Iran remains among one of the fastest growing churches in the world.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Bashkardi - Population 9,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that the isolated believers of Iran would be protected as they love and serve you. We pray that they would be a light that draws all men to You.
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me.
Jeremiah
32:27, ESV
QUICK FACT:
Women’s rights and freedoms dramatically changed during the course of Persia’s Islamization. However, in 1935 Reza Shah mandated that women were no longer required to wear a veil in public. That year, the University of Tehran admitted its first female students. In 1963, Doctor Farrokhroo Parsa was elected as the first female member of the Iranian Parliament. However, 1979’s Islamic Revolution began to push women back in rank and social status, into various forms of discrimination.
We serve a God of miracles that declares nothing is too hard for Him! People inside Iran are experiencing God’s miracles on a daily basis and we know this because they call into our 24/7 Mohabat.TV Call Center to share that their family members have been miraculously healed and given their hearts to the Lord.
We are praying for an outpouring of miracles and healings inside Iran. Because, God said there is nothing too hard for Him and we want Iran to experience His goodness and the great love He has for them.
Will you join us in praying for miracles to be released inside Iran? Will you join us in praying that the sick will be healed?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Galeshi - Population 2,100
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that you will perform great miracles and healings inside Iran. We pray the lost will be saved and the sick will be healed. We thank you for Your great mercy and love for the nation of Iran.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10, ESV
God promises strength, help, and protection for those who are His. He also challenges us not to be afraid. It seems easy enough, that is, until our family is threatened. We must choose in moments of great testing whom we trust and why.
For our brothers and sisters in Iran, they’ve made a choice to follow Christ, no matter the cost. Now, we get to do our part by praying for their protection and strength. Our prayers are powerful and effective. We will see God move through our prayers of faith.
Will you join us in praying for the protection and strength of our Iranian brothers and sisters? Will you pray that they will continue to be a light in the darkness and that the gates of hell will not prevail against them?
QUICK FACT:
Today in Iran, Islamic rules and traditions dictate forms of dress. Men are not allowed to wear shorts and are discouraged from wearing neckties. All females over the age of nine must wear a hijab when in public. Girls may get married at the age of 13. Polygamy is legal in Iran but limited to four wives.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Gazi - Population 9,100
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray for the supernatural protection and strength of our Iranian brothers and sister’s. We pray that you will uphold them with your righteous right hand and the gates of hell will not prevail against themi.
DAY 12GROWTH
Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV
QUICK FACT:
According to the Museum of Polo, the game of polo originated in Iran around 600 BC to 100 AD. The game was initially training for military cavalry units.
The growth of emerging leaders inside Iran is remarkable and exciting; however, they need guidance from mature believers that will mentor them and lead them with God’s wisdom and direction. Only then, will Iran truly be transformed by the power of God.
God is raising up the next generation and using the older generations to pour into them. They are hungry, open, and teachable. Let’s declare over the next generation inside Iran, the promise found in Jeremiah chapter 1, “for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.”
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Gilaki - Population 2,949,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray growth and boldness over the emerging leaders of Iran. We pray that they will speak freely what you command them to speak and, Father, protect them as they do Your work.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV
The Virtual Church platform of Mohabat.TV has been an answered prayer for so many believers inside Iran that cannot reach an underground church. It has been extraordinary to see the response from those that have been impacted by the Virtual Church.
Iranians that felt alone, now have a place where they can gather together weekly to worship with fellow believers. It has brought healing and victory to so many.
Will you join us in praying for the virtual church? Not just the attendees, but also the leaders that lead faithfully every week.
QUICK FACT:
According to OPEC, Iran is one of the world’s largest oil producers. It has the world’s fourth-biggest oil reserves and second-largest gas reserves. Its oil reserves account for over 13% of the world’s total. Despite being an oil-rich country, due to corruption, Iran has one of the poorest economic outlooks in the region.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Gujarati - Population 215,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that You will continue to bless the Virtual Church that is reaching the isolated believers inside Iran. We pray for their protection and for those leading, that you will give them Your wisdom.
DAY 14UNITY
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.
Psalms 133:1, ESV
QUICK FACT:
Satellite TV is banned in Iran, yet around 70% of the households have satellite dishes or receivers. Iranian Christian satellite TVs like Mohabat TV are considered key media platforms feeding the underground church movement across Iran. Iranian government actively jams satellite signals and seizes satellite dishes. But market demand has left the government disparaged and unable to prevent their use.
We know, according to John 10:10, that Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy but that God has come so we can have life, and have it to the full. It makes sense then, that Satan would do his best to bring division to the body of Christ.
Even though we know this, we are confronted with the truth that there is much division among believers. The same is true for our Iranian brothers and sisters. Yet, there is hope! What is this hope? It’s Jesus. Jesus is our common denominator and as long as we fix our eyes on Him, He will help us walk in unity.
Will you join us in praying for unity among the Iranian churches? Will you pray that the lies of the enemy will be exposed and believers will be set free?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Hazara - Population 397,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray for unity among the Iranian churches. We pray that every lie of the enemy would be exposed and Your children would be set free to walk in victory.
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Hebrews 13:3, NIV
Those who have religious freedom can sometimes take it for granted; however, when we pray for those that do not have religious freedom - like our Iranian friends - it is a stark reminder of how far we still have to go.
We appreciate the reminder in Hebrews 13 to remember those in prison and those who are mistreated. Every day, our friends in Iran are counting on us to cover them with our bold prayers of faith. Believing that one day soon, they too will experience religious freedom.
Will you join us in praying for religious freedom inside Iran? Will you pray that God’s truth will set the captives free?
QUICK FACT:
The internet is censored in Iran. Yet, according to DataPortal, internet penetration in Iran stood at 70% in January 2021. Although Youtube and Facebook are illegal in Iran, many Iranians use proxy servers to connect on social media. Iranian security agencies have control over internet use in Iran.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Khalaj (Turkic) - Population 54,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray for the religious freedom of our Iranian brothers and sisters. God we pray that Your truth will set the captives free and they will walk in the fullness of Your love.
DAY 16RAIDS
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3, ESV
QUICK FACT:
Iranians are known for their hospitality. A Persian proverb states. “A guest is a gift of God”. (Gen. 18:1; Rom. 12:13)
The word hospitality literally means “love to strangers.” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8). If you knock on an Iranian’s door, they will most certainly welcome you into their home with warmth and kindness.
The Bible is full of beautiful promises for those who are His. The power of reading the Bible and reflecting on its truth is a source of great strength to those who believe. It’s encouraging to know that God is faithful and that He will protect us from Satan.
Christians inside Iran know that their houses could be raided at any moment without warning. Yet, they put their trust in God not knowing what their future holds but knowing who holds their future.
Will you join us in praying God’s protection over the homes of our Iranian brothers and sister’s? Will you pray with us that God encourages them in their body, soul, and spirit?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Khorasani Turk - Population 969,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that you will protect the homes of Iranians that have decided to follow You. We pray that they will be encouraged in their body, soul, and spirit that Your promises are faithful and true.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6, ESV
Muslim Background Believers (MBB’s) are coming to Christ in droves, they are open and hungry for truth and we know that God’s Word is truth. MBB’s are in desperate need of Bibles, discipleship, and community so they can grow in their faith and knowledge of God.
It’s a remarkable day and age that we live in where we can use technology to preach the Gospel and reach Iranians inside their closed nation. The Word of God is spreading like wildfire because people like you and me feel the call to love others as Christ has loved us.
Will you join us in praying that MBB’s will grow in their faith and knowledge of God? Will you join us in praying for Mohabat.TV as they broadcast 24/7 the Gospel into Iran?
QUICK FACT:
Under Ayatollah Khomeini’s fatwa in 1982, sex-change surgery is allowed through Islamic law in Iran. Yet transsexual identity is not recognized in Iran.
DAY 17BELIEVERS
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Khunsari - Population 27,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that You will bless Mohabat.TV programming as they reach the nation of Iran with the hope of the Gospel. We pray for supernatural resources to cover all the costs and that Iranians would grow in the knowledge of God and share it with others.
But glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.
Romans 2: 10-11, ESV
QUICK FACT:
In Iran, short-term (temporary marriage) that can range from an hour to 99 years is legal under Islamic sharia. Many experts believe this practice is one of the reasons prostitution is sharply increasing, leading to increased divorce rates and suicides.
God shows no partiality, but man does. Inside Iran, religious minority groups suffer everyday for what they believe. They live under a microscope because they’ve chosen to follow Christ. And they endure persecution because they count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus... (Philippians 3:8, ESV).
Minorities, like Christians, know where they stand among their communities but they never give up trusting God to move in their nation so they can become the majority.
It is such an honor to pray alongside Iranians as they pursue God amidst great persecution. Will you join us in praying for them to stand strong as they serve God?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Kurd (Central, Kurmanji & Southern) - Population 7,336,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray for the Christian minorities inside Iran. God, we pray that you would help them to stand strong and endure the hardships that minorities face every day. Bless them and keep them safe.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.
Romans 10:17, ESV
There are so many Scriptures about the power of reading God’s Word. We know that God’s Word is truth and truth sets the captives free (John 8:32, ESV). One of the biggest request’s we get from Iranians is for Bibles. They want a Bible they can call their own and they want a Bible they can give away.
Heart4Iran and its family of partners are working tirelessly towards their goal of providing a Bible for every believer.
Will you join us in praying for Bibles to get into the hands of every believer inside Iran? Will you pray for the protection of the people that distribute Bibles into Iran?
QUICK FACT:
In 2010, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei warned against the “network of house churches” that “threaten Islamic faith and deceive young Muslims”. Although this remark unleashed intensified persecution on Christian movement in Iran, in 2015, Operation World named Iran as having the fastest growing evangelical population in the world, with an estimated annual growth of 19.6 percent.
Heart4Iran’s Mohabat TV has been connecting with isolated believers in Iran since 2014.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Larestani - Population 120,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that every believer inside Iran would be able to have a Bible of their own and one to give away. We pray for the protection of those distributing the Bibles, please keep them safe.
Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to Your great power, preserve those doomed to die.
Psalm 79:11, ESV
QUICK FACT:
According to Pew Research Center, Iran has one of the largest and most powerful armed forces in the Middle East. It has the strength of nearly 900,000 active-duty personnel. Iranian cyber warfare capabilities are among the most advanced in the Middle East. However, due to sanctions and economic hardships, Iran has not been able to invest in sophisticated military resources. Iran’s reliance on asymmetric warfare is evident through its activities in Iraq, Yeman, Syria, Lebanon and the region.
Unless you’ve gone to prison and experienced the conditions of prison life, it’s hard to imagine what it must be like to endure it - especially when it’s because you’re Christian. We can surmise that it’s right for a murderer to go to prison, but sending someone to prison because of what they believe should be absurd.
There are Christians in prison inside Iran that are clinging to their faith that God will preserve them with His great power, and we hear testimonies of God doing just that, keeping watch over His own!
Will you join us in praying for our imprisoned brothers and sisters inside Iran? Will you pray for their protection and safety?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day: Luri (Northern & Southern) - Population 2,926,0000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that You would protect our friends imprisoned inside Iran. We pray that you would encourage them and surround them with Your protection and power.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
Proverbs 31:25, ESV
Empowering women to see who they are in Christ is crucial for their success and future. Whether single, married, or widowed, women need to know the power of Christ in them and the impact their lives carry.
For far too long, the enemy has tried to silence the voice of women. He has tried to keep them silent and in the dark; however, through the power of God’s Word and the support of godly men, we believe women will rise up and use their voices for the glory of God.
Will you join us in praying for the women of Iran?
Praying that they would be protected as they rise up to use the voice God has given them for such a time as this.
QUICK FACT:
Per Iranian regulatory Civil Code, a husband has authority over his wife. The Islamic culture promotes the fundamentalist ideas that women are properties of men. Experts believe this is a major contributor to domestic violence in Iran, and one of the leading causes of increase in verbal, emotional and physical abuse of women in Iran. Yet, Iranian women are highly educated, sophisticated, major contributors to Iranian culture and economy, and natural leaders both at home and at work across Iran.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Mazandarani - Population 2,449,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that you would protect the women of Iran and that they would rise up and use their voices for your glory and honor to be seen in their lives and through their families.
OUR MISSION: TO MOBILIZE AND IGNITE HEARTS TO SERVE IRAN
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
MATTHEW 28: 18-20, ESV
A Bible in the Hands of Every Person
DAY 22EVANGELISM
For so the Lord has commanded us saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 13:47, ESV
The days we are living in are full of hope because of the God we serve. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Our friends are living the Gospel in such a way that they are expelling the darkness and releasing God’s light.
Everyday, people throughout Iran wake up ready to share their faith with whoever will listen. They’re willing to put their lives on the line in hopes that they can win another precious soul for the Kingdom of God. That alone inspires us to never give up hope for Iran and believe that one day every person inside the country will hear the Gospel at least once.
Will you join us in praying for courage over Iranians as they evangelize and preach the Gospel? Will you pray that hearts would be opened to hear and receive the Gospel?
QUICK FACT:
The most effective approach to evangelize inside Iran is one-on-one or face-to-face evangelism. Many agree the second most effective tool for evangelism is the internet and satellite TV. Launched on March 1, 2006, Mohabat TV is among one of the leading media ministries that is composed of dozens of indiginous ministries coming together to reach the people of Iran. These indiginous ministries are given free broadcast time, and free audience follow up on this channel.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Nayini - Population 9,0000
DECLARE WITH US:
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that would give Iranians the courage they need to preach the good news of the Gospel inside Iran. We pray that hearts would be open to hear and receive the Gospel and accept You as their Savior.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark 16:15, ESV
QUICK FACT:
According to UNHCR, as of October 2020, 800,000 documented refugees lived in Iran, of which 780,000 were Afghans and 20,000 were Iraqis. Additionally it is estimated that some 2.25 million undocumented Afghans also reside in Iran. This number was increased after the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Do you remember the day you first heard about Jesus and what He did for you? Do you remember how you felt when you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior? It’s a day you’ll never forget and remember as one of your best. That’s what we want for the people of Iran, we want them to encounter the love of God and forever be changed by His goodness.
Through Mohabat.TV’s 24/7 broadcast, Iranians are being discipled through Biblical teaching that is teaching them how to love God, serve God, and preach the Gospel to their fellow brothers and sisters. Everyday, calls flood in with people that want to know who God is and how they can accept Him as their Savior.
Will you join us in praying for Iranians to grow in their knowledge of God and share it with others? Will you pray for Mohabat.TV to grow in their impact inside Iran?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Qashqai (Kashkai) - Population 1,002,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that Iranians will grow in their knowledge of You. We pray that you will bless Mohabat.TV as they preach the Gospel 24/7 into Iran. We pray that discipleship will continue to spread inside Iran.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9, ESV
Within the borders of Iran, there is a need for godly leadership. People want to be led and they want to trust those who are leading them. As Iranians turn from Islam to Christianity, it is our responsibility to make sure we are empowering Christians inside Iran to lead people in a way that glorifies God.
We read in Galatians not to grow weary in doing good. As Christians inside Iran step up to the challenge of growing in Godliness and training others to do the same, we can pray for them not to grow weary because God is faithful to promises.
Will you join us in praying for Iranians to grow in godly leadership? Will you pray that we can continue to provide access to the training they need?
QUICK FACT:
DAY 24TRAINING
Due to persecution, most mature church leaders in Iran had to either escape the country or go to jail. As such, the current leaders of Iran-based underground churches are very young and lack the proper theological foundation. Keeping believers safe and in-country, and providing resources to them is a critical step in safeguarding the future of healthy church growth in Iran.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Semnani - Population 70,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that Iranians will receive the godly leadership they need in order to train up the next generation. We pray that You would help us continue to provide the access they need to good training.
Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:47, ESV
QUICK FACT:
A survey by GAMAAN, a Netherlands-based research group, found that Iran is moving towards secularism. According to the survey, half of the population reported losing their religion, 60% reported they do not pray, 68% believed in separation of religion and state, 56% do not want their children to receive religious education at school and 58% do not believe in the hijab (Islamic veil covering the hair).
As the Gospel spreads throughout Iran, people will need churches they can attend so they can grow in their faith and knowledge of God. Just as the Lord added to their number in the book of Acts, let us use our faith to believe that God will do the same inside Iran.
Iranians are open and hungry for change. Let’s trust God to move upon their hearts in a way that causes them to turn to Christ and live for Him. Let’s pray for the house churches inside Iran to explode to a point where there is one in every city and neighborhood.
Will you join us in praying for the multiplication of house churches and leaders to lead them? Will you pray for their protection and God’s will to be done?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Shahseven - Population 90,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that you would bless the house church movement inside Iran. We pray that you would protect the homes housing Your church and they would grow exponentially.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6, ESV DAY 26 -
God promised that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness would be satisfied. Iranians are hungry and thirsty for God, they love Him and want to serve Him. But, there are still so many that need to be reached with the hope of the Gospel. Yet, we are not deterred by the great number of people still in need of a Saviour because we know our prayers are powerful and effective (James 5:16).
God promised to satisfy us, and He promised that He would never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). God will help our friends in Iran by satisfying their hunger for more of Him!
Will you join us in praying for Iranians to experience the God who satisfies? Will you pray that they will pursue God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength?
Iran-Based People Group
of
DECLARE WITH US:
QUICK FACT:
For centuries, Iranian Christian communities were made up of Armenian and Syriac communities - roughly around 300,000. The vast majority of the Iranian Christian community is made up of Persian believers from Muslim backgrounds, which are conservatively estimated to be between 800,000 to a million. MBBs are not officially recognized by the Iranian government and are often labeled as belonging to “Zionist cults”.
the
Day: Sivandi - Population 9,100
Heavenly Father, we pray that Iranians will experience Your great love and grow stronger in their relationship with You. We pray that they will love you with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.
Jesus said to them,
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
John 6:35, ESV
QUICK FACT:
Despite the notion that Iran is a terrorist nation, Iran’s young people are bright, savvy, better educated and less religiously zealous compared to the surrounding Arab nations. They are more advanced than any previous generation. According to 2021 Data Reportal stats, 59.16 million Iranians were active internet users. In pursuit of better life many have left Iran and there is supporting evidence that Iranian migrants help contribute to the academic and financial infrastructure of the host country.
Jesus is the one who satisfies the hunger deep within us. Just as we hunger, Iranians hunger for the same thing, the bread of life. As we meditate on who God is for all people, let us remember how many people inside Iran are still in need of hearing the Gospel for the first time. Let us be encouraged to know that God will help us reach them.
God is on the move and He is stirring up the hearts of Iranians to search for more than what they’ve experienced thus far. This is where you and I must partner with the Holy Spirit and pray over Iran the perfect will of the Father, because it’s good!
Will you join us in praying for spiritual hunger to increase inside Iran? Will you join us in praying for people to respond to the Holy Spirit and accept Jesus as their Savior?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Takistani - Population 409,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that you will ignite spiritual hunger in the hearts of Iranians and we pray that they will respond to the Holy Spirit and accept You as their Saviour.
And in the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
Acts 2:17, ESV
God promised to pour out His Spirit on all flesh and this includes Iran. We believe He has a beautiful plan for Iran and that His perfect will is going to be done! It is our job to pray for the people of Iran and stand in faith that God will do what He has promised.
Our prayer has been a church in every city, and a Bible in every hand, and we believe God will help us see this happen for the people of Iran. Everyone should be able to go to church and everyone should be able to own a Bible.
Will you join us in praying for God to pour out our Spirit inside Iran? Will you pray that there will be a church in every city, and a Bible in every hand?
QUICK FACT:
If you have dealt with Iranians, then you have come across the practice of “taarof”. Taarof means “meeting together” and involves a lot of humble and polite back-and-forth towards others. For example if something is offered to someone , the polite practice (taarof) is to refuse twice; if offered a third time, they may accept.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Talysh - Population 157,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that You will pour out Your Spirit inside Iran and that people will respond to You and turn to You. We pray that there will be a church in every city, and a Bible in every hand.
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
Psalms 85: 6-7, ESV
QUICK FACT:
Iran has 23 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Persepolis, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. This makes Iran an attractive destination for world travelers. However, Iran does not recognize dual nationality, and therefore reserves the right to detain, imprison or even torture dual citizens who have traveled to Iran which can make travel there challenging. According to Amnesty International, in January 2019, an AustrianIranian dual national was arrested in Tehran, taken to prison and tortured.
God is on the move in Iran and He’s awakening hearts to His great love. Iranians are having dreams and visions of a man in white and reaching out to our 24/7 call center asking questions about what they’ve seen. We are able to share the Gospel with them and point them to Jesus.
My friend, revival is happening in Iran! Our friends are experiencing a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Satan is trying his best to oppress Christians inside Iran but instead of shrinking back, they rise up with greater passion.
Will you join us in praying for greater revival resulting in mass salvations? Will you join us in praying against the attacks of the enemy against the children of God?
Iran-Based People Group of the Day:
Tati (Central and Southern) - Population 232,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that revival will sweep through Iran and ignite the hearts of people to repent and turn from their sins. God we pray that you protect your own and keep them safe as they preach the Gospel.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11, ESV
God promised to pour out His Spirit on all flesh and this includes Iran. We believe He has a beautiful plan for Iran and that His perfect will is going to be done! It is our job to pray for the people of Iran and stand in faith that God will do what He has promised.
Our prayer has been a church in every city, and a Bible in every hand, and we believe God will help us see this happen for the people of Iran. Everyone should be able to go to church and everyone should be able to own a Bible.
Will you join us in praying for God to pour out our Spirit inside Iran? Will you pray that there will be a church in every city, and a Bible in every hand?
DAY 30YOUTH
QUICK FACT:
Christianity is flourishing in Iran and the implications are potentially profound. Although the church in Iran is unlikely to make any political difference in the future of the country, it has the power to help shape the hearts and minds of Iranians through the love of Jesus. The MBBs of Iran are breaking the death curses spoken by Islamic fundamentalists into a blessing. Today, we need to pray for Iran more than ever before.
Iran-Based People Group of the Day: Turkmen - Population 768,000
DECLARE WITH US:
Heavenly Father, we pray that the Youth of Iran will hear the Gospel and accept You as their Savior. We pray that their hearts will be stirred to follow You and live their lives for You.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that everlasting life. John
3: 16, ESV
“I had a drug addiction for 18 years and went to different counselors and centers to be free from it. One night I found my wife watching a show on MohabatTV and was very angry. I told her to leave the house if she did this again.” In spite of his threats, she continued watching our channel and prayed for him. He came home one night late from work and saw her watching the Jesus Film and was crying. Something came over him and instead of becoming mad, he was curious. “I became sad and cried with my wife as we watched the man in the movie, who they called Jesus, be crucified. I prayed that night saying, ‘Jesus, if you are who they say you are, please take this curse of addiction and free me for good!’ I slept in such peace that night, not even needing the drugs. I have since been off of drugs and keep watching MohabatTV with my wife, and we pray!”
Mahnaz, a strong believing Muslim, would occasionally watch Mohabat TV because she enjoyed listening to the problems of those who would call in and get advice from the hosts. However, as problems were piling up in her own life, she found herself lost and craving something bigger than herself. One evening, she cried and begged God for revelation of the truth, promising that she wouldn’t practice her Muslim religion. With no answer in sight, Mahnaz joined our Telegram channel and began asking for prayer from our counselors! As we kept in contact over the next couple of weeks, Mahnaz messaged in that her mother was rushed to the hospital and had immediate open heart surgery, leaving her in a coma, and that the doctors had told her that they did not have hope that she would wake up. We prayed with Mahnaz that night, affirming that our God is good and faithful to His promises. The next day she phoned us exclaiming, “I cried to Jesus last night and asked Him to heal my mother. I just got back from visiting the hospital and she is awake and Jesus gave her life! He truly is the Way and the Life!” We followed up with her a couple of days later and as a result of her faithfulness, she not only became a Christian, but her own mother and two of the nurses who cared for her gave their hearts to Jesus!
Nazila, a 13-year-old, who called our Call Center counselors asking how she and her 7-year-old sister could become Christians. You see, they watch the Superbook show on MohabatTV and shared how they felt Jesus’ Love each time they turned on an episode. The phone counselor told Nazila just how much Jesus loves them and that they need to start talking to Him, as they would with a friend. After they discussed some Bible stories and prayed together, Nazila asked for a Bible so that she could begin reading the Gospel to her sister and understand the Superbook lessons better. Nazila called a couple of weeks later to let us know that their parents have been watching the shows with them and they began to pray together as a family!
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
Gholam gave his life to Christ three years ago when he stumbled upon the MohabatTV channel. He got free from drugs that he was addicted to for 14 years. He asked for the Bible and since the post takes month to get to his address, he asked for the digital which we emailed him. He printed it which was very expensive for him, (the larger book in the picture) and started reading it, devouring it! He felt much better and was satisfied in his life. As if all his problems just melted away. He wasn’t afraid of anything and had an exceptional courage to witness to his family and friends about Jesus Christ!
Hamed, a Muslim religious leader and professor, started chatting with one of our counselors, claiming how angry he was that we professed that Jesus is the Way and the Truth. We explained the Gospel to him and why we believe in God’s mercy. This one conversation turned into Hamed messaging us every day for a week, following up with different questions and asking for us to teach him how to pray to Jesus. A week later he told us that he had given his life to Christ– but had to do so in secret, as his family and work would not have allowed for him to share his new beliefs. “I felt so much peace after reading the Bible. I studied it bible thoroughly and searched online for more commentaries on it. After months of being a Christian, my teachings have changed so much that my students have noticed this. I am scared of being found out, so I only teach Islam as is.” Hamed’s wife confronted him and he was forced to confess that he is a Christ-follower; she threatened to reveal him and get a divorce unless he stopped practicing Christianity. “I now am a secret Christian and have to speak to you in private. The most they can do is kill me, but they can’t take away my Love for Jesus!”
Hossein called us from prison wanting to become a Christian. He had been watching MohabatTV shows on his mobile phone from prison and called to ask for forgiveness for the crimes he had committed. He was ashamed to confess these sins and the reason why he was in prison, as he was sentenced to death, but knew that Jesus is a loving Father and He will forgive his past. Hossein wanted to start afresh but didn’t know how. We prayed and counseled him, and then we were able to get him a digital Bible to study. We recently spoke with him, almost two years later, and learned that he’s growing in his faith every day and wound up being released from prison!
Meet Nazia: “I am 80 years old and all my life followed Islam because it was what we were told to do. I first called in when I found the Mohabat TV channel and had questions about Jesus and the way He lived. I now am learning so much about His Love. I have asked for my own Bible and received Christ as my Lord and Savior! So, this is how knowing God feels... Happy!”
Heart4Iran is a ministry of 100+ partnerships working together to see the great commission spread throughout Iran and its surrounding regions.
We want to thank our faithful partners and friends for helping us reach Iranians with the Hope of the Gospel. Because of your prayers and support, Iranians are turning to Christ in unprecedented numbers. Your impact will last for generations to come!
If you, or someone you know, is interested in partnering with Heart4Iran please call us at 330-983-5001 or email us at info@heart4iran.com. We would love to connect with you and share all that God is doing inside Iran.
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING PARTNERS:
Joshua Project for their help in providing reference for Iran-Based People Groups: https://joshuaproject.net/countries/IR.
Allyn Huntzinger, author of Persians in the Bible, for his help in providing Iranian facts.
