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Last year we told you about a group of Christians in Iran who were given excessively harsh sentences just for doing activities that Christians all over the world do every day: attending a friend’s wedding, having a church picnic, or taking communion. This is emblematic of the kind of intense harassment Christians face: please lift them to God in your prayers this week.

At the end of last year, we received news that children from the Church of Iran denomination in two major cities have been told that they must study Shi’a Islam or leave school. Sources in the denomination have told CSW, “The message is clear: convert or leave.” Join us in praying that these children would be allowed to learn about their own faith and not be forced to convert.

At least 12 Christians in Iran are facing ten or more years in prison for vaguely-defined ‘national security-related crimes’. In reality these ‘crimes’ – celebrating Christmas, having a picnic, meeting together – are things Christians around the world do all the time. Please pray that they would be released, and the charges against them dropped.

Four of the men, Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, and Saheb Fadaie, are appealing their charges and, at the time of writing, are still awaiting a hearing after their October hearing date was delayed without an explanation. Please pray that they’d get a date soon, and that the charges against them would be dropped.

Today is Nowruz, or Persian New Year, when Iran celebrates the beginning of another year: it’s also traditionally a time for prisoner releases. Please join us in praying that this new year brings peace and freedom to all Iranians so that they can practise their faith without fear.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free. Psalm 146:7. Pray this verse over all imprisoned Christians in Iran today.

Many of the men arrested and facing harsh sentences belong to the Church of Iran denomination: lift this group of Christians to God in prayer, both those in prison and those awaiting release, asking him to strengthen them and fill them with courage and hope.

Lord, we lift to you again those Christians in Iran who are facing the very real possibility of decades in prison. May your presence comfort and strengthen them, and give the hope. Amen.