Iranian Believers Are Confronted with Challenges

Greetings in the name of our perfect heavenly Father. Iranian Christians have requested our prayers for several challenging incidents.

First, for a believer from a Muslim background (BMB) who was detained for a few
days in March and remains under intense pressure. He was detained on 9th March
in a city in Western Iran , left in a tiny cell for 48 hours, beaten whilst
being interrogated and then released on 13th March. The police informed his
family that he was detained because of his Christian activities.

The authorities have threatened to reduce his father's salary in order to punish
the family. This is a common practice in Iran . The father has reacted very
angrily to this, including threatening to kill his son if his salary is reduced.
In contrast, his mother has been compassionate. In addition, this BMB's business
partner is considering taking sole control of their business.If this happens,
then our brother will have no legal recourse, since the law favours Muslims over
Christians in such matters.

Second, for two Assyrian churches being threatened with closure. Both have been
conducting activities in Farsi, which is considered illegal, and permitting
non-Assyrians to attend meetings. The Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Urumieh was
told to close because it was meeting in a home rather than an

official church building. The Church in Kermansha has been informed that if
non-Assyrians continue to attend then those attendees will be arrested and the
church building closed.

These incidents are similar to that affecting the Assyrian church in
Shahrara, Tehran for which we requested prayer on 27th March. There is the
possibility that the church in Shahrara will be allowed to remain open on
condition that a new governing council is put in place and they cease all
activities reaching non-Assyrians.

Third, on 2nd April we requested prayer for two Christian ladies who were
arrested on 5th March and were being held at the notorious Evin prison near
Tehran. We regret to report that they remain detained and in poor health, no
formal charges have yet been made against them, and excessive bail demands
remain in force.

Iranian Christians supporting these believers request our prayers that:
a. Our brother in Western Iran will know the peace and presence of Jesus each
day, and the Spirit's guiding in all dealings with his family, business partner
and the authorities

b. His father's anger will subside and his salary not be reduced, his
business partner will refrain from acting unjustly, and both will consider the
claims of Jesus

c. The leaders of the two churches ordered to close will know the Spirit's
enabling wisdom

d. All members of these churches, including the non-Assyrians, will be able to
worship with fellow believers

e. Our two sisters will know the Lord's presence and healing, and will be
released soon

f. All officials involved will act justly, and will consider the claims of
Jesus