Nowruz, or Persian New Year, is the first day of spring and an occasion for much celebration and joy among Iranians.

Christians in Iran are particularly praying for chances to start conversations about Jesus as they mark the occasion with relatives.

In countries close to Iran, Iranian Christians are seeking to share God's Word with the thousands of Iranian tourists who pour through in this vacation period. They hope to give away tens of thousands of New Testaments over the next few weeks.

Last year during Nowruz, close to 20,000 Iranian tourists were interested to have conversations about Jesus and happily took a copy of the New Testament back to Iran with them. Some even made confessions of faith in Christ right there and then.

We are praying for the same openness of heart again this year.

As new life is being celebrated, we long for more Persian speakers to come to know the everlasting life offered in Christ. As the triumph of light over darkness is toasted, we pray for more people to fall in love with the Light of the World.

Please pray with us for:

• Courage, wisdom and protection for believers sharing the Gospel with loved ones in Iran, despite the risk

• Energy, divine guidance and unity for Iranian Christians in the region heading out to share God's Word with Iranian tourists

• Many to find freedom, joy, life and hope in Christ this Nowruz