Greetings in the name of Jesus, Head of the Church. Our dear friend who currently heads the Middle East Outreach yesterday sent a mail requesting for urgent prayers for our Iranian brethren. The prayers point is as result of three incidents.
First, three believers from a Muslim background (BMBs) in Shiraz have beenformally convicted. They were arrested in May 2008 and a series of six courthearings has concluded with their conviction on charges of anti-governmentactivity. They were given eight-month suspended jail sentences and were ordered not to engage in any Christian activities or to contact each other.
They were informed that if these conditions are broken then they will be jailed and tried again as apostates (i.e. for having left Islam).
Second, on 4th February three BMBs were reportedly arrested in the town of Isfahan. Two believers had been engaged in evangelism through the Internet.
They, together with the sister of one, were befriended by someone claiming to be a pastor who invited them to his "house church". However, this was a trap and when they arrived they were assaulted, arrested, blindfolded and taken into custody. The next day police officers searched the home of the brother and sister and confiscated computer equipment. The sister was released after a week when the authorities realised that she had not been
involved in evangelism. The whereabouts of our two brothers is unknown.
Third, a court order has been issued to close an Assyrian church in Shahrara. The church has held Farsi languages services for the past eight years and has welcome BMBs to attend. An Assyrian member of parliament has publicly criticised the church's leaders for allowing non-Assyrians to attend.
Christians supporting these believers request our prayers that:
a. Our three brothers in Shiraz will know the Lord's peace and presence at this time, and know the Spirit's guidance in responding to the restrictions imposed on them.
b. Our two brothers in Isfahan will know the peace and presence of Jesus,and will be released soon.
c. Our sister in Isfahan will fully recover from the ordeal of her detention.
d. The leaders of the Assyrian Church in Shahrara will know the Lord's enabling and empowering at this time.
e. The court order will be rescinded and the church remain a place of regular worship.
f. All officials involved in all three incidents will act with mercy and justice, and respond positively to the true message of Jesus.
g. All those who wish to participate in Christian worship across Iran will be able to do so freely.
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