Iran is back in the headlines after President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, and six others were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Iran is officially in a five-day period of mourning. But many ordinary Iranians are not truly grieving. It is widely accepted that Raisi - known as the "Butcher of Tehran" - was responsible for the execution of thousands of political prisoners in the 1980s.

He also presided over countless injustices while judiciary chief as well as the brutal crackdown on protesters in the 2022 protest movement during his presidency.

One Christian leader in Iran, *Mahnaz, explains, "The death of the president has once again brought to the surface the deep anger and bitterness that many Iranians have in their hearts toward the regime."

"My prayer request is that the consolation of God would be with our people, that they come out of this trap of bitterness and hatred," says Mahnaz.

May I ask you to join Iranian Christians in praying for God's love, mercy and justice to prevail at this time? Please pray:

• As emotions run high among the people, that Christians would have wisdom and courage to share about the comfort, hope and healing of Christ

• That the many wounded by the injustices perpetrated by Raisi would not be captive to hatred but find freedom in the arms of God, the righteous judge

• For a justice and mercy-loving president to be elected at the general election on June 28th

As presidents rise and fall, Jesus is building His church in Iran, as the stories below show. We trust that whatever the future holds for Iran politically, Jesus continues to reign.