Every year, the Iranian authorities choose Christmas in particular for their raids on house churches. Every year we hear news of Christmas services being subjected to such raids by the intelligence services. It should be a joyous time when Emmanuel, God with us, is celebrated, but all too often the holiday is interrupted by arrests of Christians.
So how can we talk about "blessed tidings" for our Iranian brothers and sisters?
That's because it's about Jesus, for them as well as for the rest of the church.
Those who have endured imprisonment tell us that despite the suffering they go through, there is blessedness in the fact that Jesus suffered for them first. Jesus, who willingly left heavenly glory to seek out this broken, dark world, He is not remote and ignorant of the trials and tribulations that believers endure. He Himself came to earth to suffer, to be beaten, mocked, interrogated, humiliated and finally killed for our sake. And they can rejoice because they know that He has never failed them and never will. He is with them in the prison cells and interrogation rooms with His comfort, strength and guidance.
So whether we are in the West or in Iran, He is Emmanuel, God with us.
Pray for:
- Believers who fear what might happen at Christmas
- That the persecuted may rejoice in Emmanuel, which means God with us.
- That many authority figures may surrender to Jesus this Christmas
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