The Iranian population is simultaneously affected by the conflict in the Middle East and a rebellion against the regime, which is causing more and more young people to reject Islam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Formerly Muslim, Iranian Christians are responding in prayer for peace and sharing the message of Jesus Christ - who can bring true peace to hearts in troubled times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Christian in western Iran who lives not far from the area where the rockets were fired on April 13 in the attack on Israel says: \"I heard every rocket being fired. It was loud and scary. The sky was lit up. I prayed that God would have mercy on us all. That no one would be lost and that the war would not escalate.\"<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Christian leader says: \"The common perception is that the Iranian regime is trying to appear decisive while exposing the entire population to the risk of retaliation. Of course, everyone in Iran is talking about this crisis - at home, at work and in taxis. We must pray for everyone as this is actually an opportunity to share the Gospel with people as they are now speaking openly about their fear of war.\"<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yours truly personally met leaders of the underground church in Iran in a neighboring country to Iran. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One day I had breakfast with a small family: husband, wife and their little daughter. For safety reasons, we won't use their real names here, but will call the father Farid and the mother Shirin. Farid shared how the family had come to faith in Jesus. He said that he had had a hard time before he became a Christian: \"I served in the mosque with practical tasks, like changing light bulbs, so in that way my wife and I honored Islam. But I wasn't feeling well and was contemplating suicide. I said: God accept me and change my life. At this time, I was also going bankrupt in my shop, so I sold my goods to have some money for after the bankruptcy.\"<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"I had a friend who helped me. He had a copy of the New Testament in his car. He told me about Jesus. I was curious and wanted to find out what Christianity was. On the one hand I was skeptical and wanted proof that it was true, but on the other hand I could feel my heart softening. I read the Gospel of John 8:32, which says, 'You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' Three months later, my wife and I converted to Jesus.\"<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong><\/em>On the one hand, I was skeptical and wanted proof that Christianity was true, but on the other hand, I could feel my heart softening.\" - Farad <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Farid and Shirin go on to talk about interesting developments in Iran, where there is a clear tendency for more and more young people in particular to opt out of Islam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Back then, we wouldn't have been a minority that actually followed the Muslim rules, but today we would be. Mahsa Amini's death in Iranian police custody in 2022 has accelerated a trend where Islam is losing popularity. Under the slogan: 'Women, Life, Freedom' there were large protests against the regime. When we testified about our new faith seven years ago, many people rejected us, but today many accept the gospel.\" <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although many ordinary Iranians, especially young people, reject the clergy, this does not mean that new Christians do not face resistance - especially leaders of underground churches that I meet in neighboring Iran.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nTestimony from Iranian family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Women, Life, Freedom <\/h2>\n\n\n\n