Open Doors has urged Christians to unite together in a new prayer campaign for the people of Iran. The Christian persecution watchdog has called for the urgent prayer in face of the fact that Iran is now ranked number 3 on Open Doors’ World Watch List, which rates the world’s top 50 countries according to the severity of their persecution against Christians.

|TOP|“The persecution of Christians in Iran today is not a series of isolated events or the result of individual prejudices but rather a state policy implemented at all levels in various forms. It affects both individuals as well as the church as a whole,” Open Doors says.

In 2005, Iran held elections whereby President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected. Since this time though, the Iranian authorities have increased pressure on the few remaining Protestant groups that are still allowed to meet together in official church buildings, explain Open Doors.

The persecution watchdog tells: “Through more than three ministries and their departments, officials question Christians and strictly regulate their institutions. It is impossible in Iran to have a public Christian life, or for Muslims to convert openly to Christianity, because both are forbidden by the government.”

The Iranian constitution contains Article 13, which guarantees religious freedom for Christians, but despite this it still remains an offence to sell a copy of the Bible in Farsi (the language spoken by the majority of Iranians).

|AD|In addition, although the government has denied it, the law against ‘apostasy’ remains in force, reports Open Doors. The law means that anyone who converts from Islam to other religions are subject to capital punishment.

However, despite the increasing persecution, one Iranian believer told Open Doors, “There is a revival going on. Everyone is looking for real fulfilment, but for most people, that is hard to find. But as soon as they hear about Jesus Christ, many are eager to learn about Him.”

Almost two years ago now, local Protestant denominations had been ordered to cut their ties with any house-church groups meeting throughout the country, explain Compass Direct. Government officials warned that such fellowships were holding “illegal religious meetings” and would be duly prosecuted.

Since this time, persecution has increased with church leaders coming under relentless intimidation, and pressured to report on any who may have converted away from Islam, explain Open Doors.

One Iranian Christian told Compass Direct: “So they must either give the police these names, or resign from pastoral ministry – or give up and leave the country. Well actually, there is a fourth alternative: they can go to prison.”

Mehdad, an Iranian Christian, reports, “Every church is visited almost daily by government representatives. Every week there are new faces in the church. They can be new believers, but among them can also be government people. This restricts the activities of the church. Members of the church are also checked by representatives of the government.”

Iranian Christians have commenced 40 days of prayer and fasting for the salvation of Iran, which began 25 May. Over 120 Iranian church leaders are asking Christians worldwide to join them in praying for their country. Open Doors UK is responding to this call and urges Christians in the West to earnestly pray and fast (if they can do) for the Iranian people.

Eddie Lyle, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland says, “Christians are a tiny minority in Iran of just 200,000 Christians in a population with around 69 million Muslims. They are being increasingly persecuted by the new Iranian government and need our voices to speak up for them and pray for them.”