Iran is severely affected by COVID-19. Many are infected and thousands have lost their lives. Due to economic sanctions, the economy was already under severe pressure before the spread of the coronavirus, so society cannot be shut down to prevent the spread of infection, as the economy would collapse completely.
In the midst of this dark time, however, there are bright spots. Our partner reports that among some Iranians, there is an even greater thirst than before to hear about Jesus. And some are experiencing healing from COVID-19 through the prayers of Christians.
For example, Haleh was miraculously cured of the coronavirus in a hospital in Tehran. She was not a Christian and suffered from all the symptoms of a severe case of the virus but had a family member who attended a house church. The house church prayed and when she woke up the next day, she felt better and there were no signs of illness. A test was taken and she was completely healthy. This puzzled the Iranian doctors and other patients. "What happened?" they asked her. "Christians prayed for me," she replied.
Jesus is actively preached
House church leaders have called on all believers to evangelize during this time. Believers responded to this call with great boldness - even new believers. They call family and friends and tell them about the hope they have in Jesus and offer to pray for them. They boldly post Bible verses and share beautiful worship songs on social media. This is according to the Danish European Mission's partner, Elam, which leads a large network of underground churches in the country.
As a result, many Iranians are coming to faith in Christ
As a result, many Iranians are coming to faith in Christ. A family in Shiraz saw a new Instagram post from a distant friend. They wrote to her a few days later: "We are trapped at home. Every night we read the verses you share from the Bible. Your God is so loving and gentle. Can we talk?" Today, the family are believers.
Another family has become Christian in Iran. The number of Muslims who have converted to Christianity is already close to 500,000, but probably even higher. Church growth has even become a phenomenon that researchers are studying - for example, PhD Sara Afshari on the importance of Christian TV and PhD Duane Alexander Miller on numbers.
At the time of the Islamic revolution in 1979, the number of Christian converts was only around 500, and the growth has taken place under persecution. One explanation for the rapid growth can be found in the nature of the clergy
- Iran is the only country in the world ruled by clerics on the basis of Shia Islam, so the clerical regime must answer for how it is practiced. And when the people, who enjoyed great personal freedom under the relatively secular rule of the Shah, now face economic decline and strict Islamic rules, it creates resistance - not only against the Ayatollahs, but also against Islam itself.
This frustration is causing many Iranians to protest and seek alternatives, including in the Christian faith. With the support of Danish European Mission donors, New Testaments are printed and smuggled to brave Iranian Christians to meet the high demand. In 2019 alone, donors ensured that 62,500 copies of the New Testament could be printed, smuggled and distributed
Iran.
Iranian Christians need to get creative. Recently, two young men went to a neighborhood hit hard by the virus. Instead of delivering the New Testament face-to-face, they put them in residents' mailboxes.
Thank you so much for praying for all the people of this country who are going through a very challenging time right now. Pray for the many who are thirsting to experience God's love, that their deep longing may be fulfilled. And please pray for Christians to reach out and encourage those in need. Pray that in this time the church will not go backwards, but forwards. You can also ensure that a copy of the New Testament can be printed and smuggled into Iran or neighboring countries where Iranians also live.
