In Iran, religious identity is a defining factor which impacts the everyday lives of Iranian citizens: it determines their rights, opportunities and social status, and dictates how the state sees them. Christians, especially converts, are seen as a threat to the power of the state.

Sunday 21 July

Church of Iran members Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, and Saheb Fadaie, were jailed in 2018 after receiving extremely harsh sentences on national security-related charges. Pray that these four men would be released and the charges against them dismissed.

Monday 22 July

The Assyrian pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz is currently appealing a ten-year prison sentence. His wife is appealing a five-year sentence, and their son is appealing a four-month one – all on similar charges relating to national security and ‘illegal church activities’. Ask God to protect and guide this courageous family, and for their convictions to be quashed.

Tuesday 23 July

Pastor Matthias Haghnejad, a Church of Iran pastor from Rasht, was arrested towards the end of a church service he was leading in February this year. When Islamic Revolutionary Guard members entered the church they confiscated Bibles and mobile phones belonging to the attendees. They also went to the pastor’s home, where they confiscated his books and his wife’s phone. Pray for courage and strength for Pastor Haghnejad, who has been arrested and tried several times in the past.

Wednesday 24 July

Two judges in particular are notorious for miscarriages of justice, including in the cases involving Christians. Judges Babaee and Zargar are also alleged to have played prominent roles in the crackdown on freedom of expression, and were among several officials deemed responsible for or complicit in serious human rights violations. Pray that God would move in the hearts of these judges and draw them towards unbiased verdicts.

Thursday 25 July

Recognised churches which used to hold Farsi services have been shut down by the government, essentially criminalising the practice. As a result many Persian converts gather in house churches, which are often raided by the authorities. In a recent interview Seyed-Hashem Bathaee, a member of Iran’s Expediency Council of religious leaders implied that Muslims who convert to Christianity were susceptible to ‘religious corruption’ and said apostates deserved the death penalty – whether ‘man or woman, boy or girl’. Ask God to protect converts, even as they worship in secret.

Friday 26 July

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.Psalm 33:20-21. Pray these verses over Iran today.

Saturday 27 July

Lord God, we ask you to watch over all those who have been unjustly charged, sentenced and imprisoned in Iran, including for exercising the right to change their religious beliefs. Ensure justice for the oppressed and set the captives free in Iran today, we pray. Amen.