Internet church, growing
Almost every night a zealous Christian, whom we will call Hussein, has meetings with his internet church. Scores of his members come on line at the same time; they can see him, as he teaches the Bible and prays with people. Unbelievers also come and he answers their questions. He is planning to soon celebrate Holy Communion with his members. He will explain who is eligible to partake in the sacrament and then following his instructions, all will share in the bread and wine together. Prayer, Bible teaching, the sacraments – it is definitely church. And it is proving very effective at reaching many Iranians.
Of course there are always members who experience problems with the connection, but by and large, his members know how to navigate the unpredictability of the internet in Iran. There is no doubt this is an important ministry, and needs serious prayer.
Pray for:
• Hussein and other internet pastors
• Security on line
• Stable internet connections
Jamming signals, blocking phones, taking down sites: technology under pressure
Satellite TV and the internet have had a massively positive impact on reaching Iran with the Gospel. There have always been challenges, but in recent months the levels of hostility towards technology has clearly intensified. There have been reports of the authorities trying to jam the satellite TV signals from Christian broadcasters. This has been largely unsuccessful. A key part of the TV outreach programme is the telephone number for viewers to call if touched by what they have seen. There are also reports that some of these numbers have been successfully blocked. Calls to advertised numbers on the screen do not get through. As for the internet, Iran has always adopted a vigorous censorship policy. It blocks up to 27% of all the sites on the whole web. That amounts to millions of sites. 30% of all sites in the arts, news, and society categories are blocked. This is the section where Christian sites are placed – and sadly some of these are closed down. However, since giant sites like ‘youtube’ also fall foul of Iran’s web policemen, it is not surprising Iranians have learned how to use proxy servers to beat the censors. This is certainly the case for the Christian sites. There have even been rumours that Iran wants to cut itself off from the entire web and have just its own system. Many think this will remain just a rumour. It is not practical. While Iran’s pressure on technology by and large harms the efforts of Christians to reach the country with the Gospel, it should be noted in the government’s favour that it has managed to block 97% of adult pornographic sites.
Pray for:
· All Satellite Christian TV programmes to be free from jamming.
· Phone numbers to Christian broadcasters not to be blocked.
· Censorship on Christian websites to be lifted
Archived 'Reaching Iran' Prayer News
The ‘Jesus Film’, still turning hearts
The film version of Luke’s Gospel is the most watched movie in history. According to Campus Crusade, the agency that produced the title, the film has been seen by about five billion people since its launch in 1979. The film has been available for many years in Persian. It is regularly shown on Christian satellite TV and agencies work hard to make sure keen Christians are able to give the DVD of the film away free. Just this last year one agency, Elam Ministries, produced over 100,000 DVDs of the movie for evangelists to use.
Filmed entirely in Palestine, using professional actors and a memorable music score, this faithful telling of the Jesus story according to Luke has great emotional impact. After thirty years it is still turning hearts. At the end of the film there is a very clear Gospel presentation and a prayer of invitation for the viewer to accept Christ. No doubt thousands of Iranians have become Christians after watching the film in the privacy of their homes.
The production and distribution of the Jesus film is a crucial part of mission to Iran and deserves our fervent prayers.
Pray for:
• Iranians watching the Jesus film to give their hearts to Christ
• Courage for those who distribute the Jesus film
• Funds for those who produce the DVDs
Oscar nominated film ‘A Separation’, shows impact of cinema
It would be hard to find an Iranian who has not seen Asghar Farhadi’s brilliant film, ‘The Separation of Nader from Simin’ (Released in the West as ‘A Separation’). The winner of numerous prizes in Iran and beyond, the film is now tipped as the favourite to win the award for best foreign film at the Oscars.
Iranians are talking about the film, not just because of the superb directing and acting – so good that you feel you are in the room as the sad domestic drama unfolds – but because the script asks a sharp question: who is to blame for this separation which leaves a young girl divided between her mother and father? It’s a moral question, and that’s the power of much of Iranian cinema.
As such it is a tremendous bridge for Christians to use to share Biblical truth. Already some agencies are using movies as a platform to share the Gospel. For example Elam’s ‘Avaye Cinema’ (The Sound of Cinema) is a monthly review programme that gives a Christian view to the questions raised by the latest films. It is broadcast every day throughout the Iran Region and is reaching millions. Viewer response is very positive about the quality of the programme. Mehdi wrote that when it comes on he can’t move from in front of the TV. And more importantly there is spiritual impact. Mandana wrote in asking how she can recognize God’s voice and understand His will for her life.
Pray for:
• Christians to turn conversations about film, to Christ
• Anointing on programmes like ‘Avaye Cinema’
• Workers in Iranian film industry to be reached with the Gospel
New Testaments, planning for the next 200,000
The cover of Elam’s New Testament in Iran is famous. It is even recognised on public buses. Thousands have been given out by courageous Christians on crowded streets to busy pedestrians and on lonely country lanes to weathered famers. This year Christians around the world believe it is God’s will to make it more famous and for more Iranians to know that it is truly the Bread of Life for their souls. Plans are in place for another 200,000 for the pocket New Testament to be printed and distributed. Much prayer is needed.
Pray for:
• Necessary funds for printing of pocket New Testament
• Successful print run
• Courage and wisdom for those who distribute
Christmas, everyone knows it’s about Jesus
Everyone in Iran knows that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. Greetings will be given to the Armenian and Assyrian Christians living in the country, and thousands of Iranians in the Diaspora will join in celebrations. As in the West, this is a crucial time to take the opportunity and to explain what Christmas is all about. In all the evangelistic activity that Christmas inspires, perhaps most important of all are all the phone and skype calls that Iranians living outside the country will make to friends and relatives in Iran over the holiday season. Testimonies will be shared, stories of Jesus told. So too Iranians will be posting Christmas greetings on facebook and other blogging sites. All can have impact. TV programmes and websites will also be making an extra effort.
Pray for:
• Anointing on phone calls Christians make to friends and relatives
• Clarity for those sharing on facebook and blogs
• Wisdom for those making TV programmes and websites.
‘God does nothing, except in response to believing prayer.’ Wesley
Christians can put on as many seminars and conferences they like about how to reach Iran; they can stay up half the night designing websites and translating books and writing TV programmes, but without prayer, it’s all human activity, religious froth and hype. There is nothing of eternal value.
Reaching Iran is all about prayer. Iran 30 exists to encourage prayer, and since its launch in 2009 there has definitely been an increase in intercession for the country. Only God knows whether the persecution this year is a part of the intensification of the spiritual battle for Iran caused by increased prayer, but there is no doubt that the tempo both of growth and opposition has increased since 2009. The momentum in prayer needs to be maintained.
This is absolutely not a time for talk, but a time for prayer, the more passionate the better. May the cries of Christians reach the courts of heaven pleading for revival, anointing, breakthroughs, the falling down of walls and the raising up of churches. If Iran 30 has helped you pray for Iran, please send the link to other believers and encourage them to pray and tell them how to get the book, also available in Spanish, Korean, Portuguese and Hindi.
Pray for:
• More private prayer for Iran.
• More public prayer meetings for Iran
Van Church, place of refuge for quake victims
The CCTV cameras which protect the Iranian church in Van show people pouring out of the building as the earthquake began at 13:41 on Sunday 23rd October. But then the pastor returns, and holds out his prayer towards the wall of the first church to be registered in Van for nearly a hundred years. He knew it was important for the cause of Christ that the church survive the quake. It did. And immediately it became a place of refuge. About a hundred have been coming daily to receive hot meals, most have never met Christians or been inside a church building. Now they were receiving food in the name of Jesus Christ. Van is a border city. And as well as Turks and Kurds, there are also many Iranians there. All have been welcomed at the church.
Pray for:
• Christians in Van to have stamina as they serve.
• Those devastated by quake to give their lives to Christ
• Funds to flow for aid to continue
The Books of Moses, new translation in Persian
Elam Ministries has recently published a new translation of the five books of Moses, the Torah. As with all its publications, the final product is on an exceptional standard, both in terms of the quality of the translation and the printing. Apart from the Good News and the Paraphrase Living Bible, there has been no translation of the Torah which links back to the original Hebrew since the 19th C. So this is an historical achievement for the church in Iran. Those involved with the production, and those who have seen the new translation are delighted. The translation team are now working hard to complete the rest of the Old Testament.
Pray for:
• Wide distribution of the new translation of the Torah
• The message of the Scriptures to capture the hearts of Iranians
• Strength and stamina for the translation team.
Want to find a verse? Check your iPhone
Elam Ministries has made the whole Bible available for iphones. For the New Testament Elam’s translation, The New Millennium Version is offered, and for the Old Testament the version known as the Old Persian Version is on line. This is a major breakthrough. Iran’s population is predominantly young, internet savvy, and as long as they have enough money, they will make sure they have a good iphone. And in a country where holding a Bible in your hand could attract unwelcome attention, how good to be able to have all the Scriptures on your mobile.
Pray for:
• Millions of Iranians to download the Scriptures onto their mobiles
• For churches to encourage members to download the Scriptures
• The scriptures to move from the iphone, to the heart
Theological Training, still a conundrum
How to give a promising Iranian Christian some theological training? Inside the country there are obvious practical problems. A recognised church can start classes, but less than happy government officials will interfere. The house churches are vibrant, but they have to work hard to keep their own meetings secret, keeping a whole training programme below the radar would be very challenging. A lot can be achieved by the internet and satellite TV, though it is not face to face. Also a lot of good can come by bringing a student out of the country, though there are dangers. However for a grounding in theology, probably the best solution in these present circumstances, are intense short term courses, boosted by conferences with lots of personal contact.
Pray for:
• Wisdom for all those concerned about theological training.
• God’s anointing on all that is happening at present.
• Those called to find the right course for them.
Theological Training, still a conundrum
How to give a promising Iranian Christian some theological training? Inside the country there are obvious practical problems. A recognised church can start classes, but less than happy government officials will interfere. The house churches are vibrant, but they have to work hard to keep their own meetings secret, keeping a whole training programme below the radar would be very challenging. That leaves the internet and satellite TV, but many are quick to point out that this is no substitute for face to face teaching. Sending promising students to the West for three to five years is often on the agenda, but there is acres of print on the limitations of training outside the home church context. If the graduate returns, and there is an if, his head can be full of alien and irrelevant ideas for the church. For a grounding in theology, probably the best solution, in these present circumstances, are intense short term courses, boosted by conferences with lots of personal contact.
Pray for:
• Wisdom for all those concerned about theological training
• God’s anointing on all that is happening at present
• Those called to find the right course for them
Summer months, Christians on the move
The summer months mean Christians are on the move, usually visiting relatives. Christians are going to the Iran Region, and their families and friends in Iran are travelling to Christians in other countries. This is a time when the Gospel is shared, and its authority begins to move through family networks. And even if an Iranian travelling outside the country does not encounter the Gospel amongst his own family, many Diaspora churches have energetic evangelistic programmes to reach their fellow countrymen.
Pray for:
• Christians on the move to share the Gospel
• Christians to be equipped with New Testaments and books
• Iranians on the move to hear the Gospel
Satellite TV, the people’s choice
Despite periodic raids on people’s homes where satellite dishes are confiscated and the owners fined, satellite TV continues to be the people’s choice. Millions are watching. And many are watching Christian programmes on the channels Mohabat and Sat 7. The response continues to be exciting as programmes receive calls from towns and villages they have never heard of. Last week a young man from Afghanistan called after watching Elam’s testimony based programme ‘Healing For The Broken Hearted’ and after a long conversation with the main presenter gave his heart to Christ. This is happening every day. It is a ministry that needs constant prayer.
Pray for:
• Ministries of Sat 7 and Mohabat
• Programme providers like Elam
• Editors, presenters, technical staff
The Cross and the Switchblade: good reminder that prayer is the foundation
David Wilkerson’s book and film ‘The Cross and the Switchblade’ were hugely popular in Iran. Thousands knew the story of the young Christian preacher who went to share Christ with teenage gang members on the violent streets of New York in the 1950’s. David Wilkerson sadly died in a car accident in April. He was 79 years old and still preaching Christ.
Prayer was the foundation for his ministry that touched so many. His outreach to New York began when he decided to switch off his television, and spend time in prayer. This is when he saw the despairing faces of the teenagers of New York in a magazine, and heard God’s call.
Years later he was again walking the streets of New York, deeply saddened by the streets awash with pimps, porn, prostitutes and drug dealers. His response was to cancel all his appointments and pray for three months. The result was Times Square Church in the heart of New York which now has 8,000 members.
Mission to New York, mission to Tehran, the foundation must be the same: prayer.
Pray for:
• God to raise up prayer warriors like David Wilkerson for Iran
• News of persecution to galvanise more prayer
• Prayer meetings to be anointed.
Picture power, challenging abortion
Elam’s four minute film, Interview With An Unborn Child, was released this week on the interne in English and Persian. In just a few days over two thousand people have watched the film and left very positive comments. One viewer said, ‘I’ve never seen anything quite like this. It is very sad, but very powerful.’ Another, ‘This is a video everyone should see. Very powerful and it left me in tears.’ Both in Iran and the West some Iranians are not sure about the value of the foetus, especially in the early weeks of pregnancy. The aim of the film is to show that the baby is a unique being – from conception. The film is available in Persian, visit http://goftegobajanin.com/ and English, visit http://interviewwithunborn.com/ On the Persian website Iranians can order a copy of a book written by Dr Mojdeh Shirvanian that explains what abortion is from a Biblical and Christian perspective. Viewers can also contact Dr Shirvanian for help.
Pray for
• The film to warn Iranian women about abortion
• Anointing for counsellors contacted due to the film
• Men to watch the film and turn against abortion
Bible (sort of) blockbusters, made in Iran
Iran is investing money and talent in making major films about the Bible. In 2007 a massive six-hour TV film was made about the life of Mary the mother of Jesus, starting with her birth. A shorter version was released for the cinema. It received very good reviews. Then in 2008 the film ‘Masih’ (Messiah) about Jesus was made with a cast of over 1,000. It has been dubbed into many languages, and has been broadcast as a TV series. It too was received well. The film followed the life of Jesus as in the Gospels – until the end. As the Qur’an claims, it is Judas who suffers on the cross, while God’s prophet, not Son, is rescued. Another Bible blockbuster is ‘The Kingdom of Solomon’ which follows Solomon as he battles man and demons to show the world there is one God. The film has already won numerous awards in Iran. While Christians are quick to point out that these films are not really Biblical, they can also see their positive aspects: the films confirm the popularity of Jesus; they fill in background; and they almost certainly motivate people even more to get their hands on the original story, the Bible.
Pray for
• Bible films to increase demand for Bibles
• Mistakes in films not to cement in people’s minds
• More Bible films made by Christians to reach Iran
Christians reaching out, no strangers to sickness
Christians engaged in seeking to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Iran region have learned through experience not to take their health for granted. One minister, talking informally about preparing for conferences in the region, said it was normal for an unexpected ailment to suddenly appear. Dealing with it was a part of the preparation. If one casts a even casual eye over major projects it is easy to see how their history has been marked by a struggle with very serious sickness and accidents. All successful Christian ministry depends on God raising up a team of faithful men and women who will work with one heart for the furtherance of Christ’s kingdom. More prayer is needed that those engaged in reaching Iran with the Gospel remain healthy in body, mind, and soul
Pray for
• Healing for those ministering to Iran suffering from sickness
• Health for all those engaged in mission to Iran
• More prayer to be raised up for health of Christian workers
Brilliant writer Max Lucado, now in Persian
There is something very special about a Max Lucado book. They are easy to read. There’s a rhythm in the prose. The words feel exactly right. The illustrations are plentiful. And at the end we close the book and believe more that God is alive, His grace abundant. This is not just a personal opinion. It is what at least 65 million other readers think, for that’s how many books he has sold. Now, at last, excerpts of one of his classic titles is in Persian, ‘In The Eye Of The Storm’. Here, Lucado follows Jesus through the stress of one day, and reminds us that whatever the storm – God loves us and is with us. This is a message that Iranian Christians certainly need to hear today.
Pray for
• ‘Eye of the Storm’ to be completed and widely distributed among Iranians
• More Lucado books to be translated
• Max Lucado’s ministry to bless the Iranian church