Iran 30 Discover, Pray, Transform » REACHING IRAN

Summer time: Christians visiting and being visited.

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:33:22 +0000

Families over the summer are getting together, and this means Iranians who have found Christ outside the country will be visiting Iran, or their families will be visiting them. These visits can result in not just close family members turning to Christ, but the entire family network. But these visits need to be bathed in prayer. Some families will be hostile that a loved one has become a Christian, others will be sceptical and will want to see what difference it has made in their life, others will be open, but spiritual warfare will rage in unexpected ways. With prayer now, these visits can have great impact. If others in the family do turn to Christ, then there also needs to be prayer so the new believers can grow in their faith.

Pray for

All Christians visiting families in Iran
Sensitivity when sharing the Gospel
Supernatural linking up of new believers to fellowships.

What shall we do tonight? Watch a film

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:17:34 +0000

Surveys say Iranians watch about eleven movies a month – on DVD and at the cinema. The number is probably higher. Films, foreign and domestic, are the entertainment of choice. A new Christian TV programme, called ‘Avaye Cinema’ (The Scent of Cinema) aims to attract viewers who have this interest in film. The programme reviews recent movies and gives film news, and at the same time gives the Christian view on a major theme in some of the films looked at. The programme is being shown on the Mohabat satellite TV channel which has had great impact in recent years.

This love of films is a great opportunity for Iranian Christian film makers. To date only Joseph Hovsepian, has made a serious attempt to impact the film world. To date he has made four films, his latest, ‘Cry From Iran’ was a moving documentary on the life and martyrdom of his father, Bishop Haik Hovsepian-Mehr. It won several awards.

Pray for

Avaye Cinema programme to attract many viewers
Joseph Hovsepian’s future films
More Iranian Christians to enter the film business.

The Bible, easy to forget what happens behind the scenes

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:33:35 +0000

According to Wikipedia, 450 versions of the Bible have been translated into languages of the English people. There are only three in Persian, and one of those is a paraphrase. A fourth, the Millennium Bible, will be out soon. This new translation (New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs is published) is already enriching the life of the Iranian church. A lot of focus is often given to those engaged in the brave work of distribution, but we need to spare a thought for the patient souls who work through the text checking for the smallest mistake. Their work is crucial. Once checked, then there is the type-setting, and as we all know computers can have a mind of their own. And….a host of other issues arise, never known by the reader, but someone behind the scenes has worked tirelessly to ensure a great Bible is published.

Pray for

All those engaged in Bible translation work into Persian
Wisdom for just the right work
Computers to be friendly

Drug addicts, time to bring in Jesus

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:40:43 +0000

With about 130,000 new addicts each year, there is no sign of the drug problem going away. Everyone says it’s the country’s number one problem. The government is involved in trying to stop the flow of the deadly poppy from neighbouring Afghanistan, and there are rehabilitation clinics dotted over the country. There are also very expensive private on in the cities. Success stories are hard to come by. Some churches have managed to help. However as anyone who has been involved in drug rehabilitation knows, this is a special calling. Perhaps the time has come for those international agencies with a real anointing for ministering to addicts to see if they can get permission to work in Iran. There is nothing to lose, but for the addicts and their families, there is everything to gain.

Pray for

Addicts and their families
All those trying to help them
International Christian agencies to consider ministering in Iran.

Superbook cartoon, winning the mothers too

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 10:26:46 +0000

A lady was recently speaking at a women’s conference in the Iran region and was curious to find out how some of her audience had come to Christ. As she heard their testimonies, many of them had something in common: the cartoon Superbook. This is a cartoon version of Bible stories which has been translated into many languages, including Persian. It’s aimed at children, but these mothers had been watching in the morning as well. The seed was sown, and here they were going on with the Lord at a conference. Behind the scenes Christians involved in dubbing and editing and recording should be encouraged: their labour is not in vain.

Pray for

Continued anointing on TV broadcasts into region
Encouragement for workers behind the scenes
Funds for more programmes

Iran’s Favourite Preacher, Might be a surprise

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 09:22:13 +0000

She’s down to earth, funny, passionate, and you want to go on listening. That’s Joyce Meyer: Famous in the US, and thanks to satellite TV, also very well known in Iran. She is watched every day there: indeed on the Mohabbat Channel she can be seen four times a day, Monday to Friday. And on that channel, her programme is reported to be the favourite as she gets the most positive feedback.

Perhaps there is a heavenly sense of humour at work here that thousands of Iranians should be hearing about Jesus Christ from a woman. Whatever is at work, We need to pray that God will use her preaching to impact Iran.

Pray for:

Joyce Meyer’s preaching to be anointed
For millions discover the gospel through her programs
For women to be encouraged

Radio, no longer a star, but still has a role

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:00:12 +0000

With the arrival of satellite TV, the internet, and mobile phone technology the veteran technological tool of mission, the radio, must be wondering if she still has a role to play. The answer is definitely yes. People will always want to listen to the radio, just like people want to go on reading newspapers. It is an irreplaceable medium.

And so TWR broadcast ten Christian programmes on MW every week into Iran and there is a response. The broadcasters know that in some ways they cannot vie with the new stars of the digital age, nor can they compete with FM which is widely available. But for a believer who is motivated to grow in their faith and who cannot afford either a computer or satellite TV, there is still a lot going for the humble MW transistor radio.

Pray for:

Creativity for programme producers
Protection of the air-waves
Ability to make contact with listeners

Fifteen million under fifteen, and only fifteen titles

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:52:47 +0000

The three “fifteens” in the task of reaching Iran’s children are a call for action. There are about fifteen million boys and girls under fifteen, probably more. Their minds are not yet made up on the great questions of life. They are like young people the world over: open and curious. They watch TV, they read, they love the internet – and for these fifteen million young people under fifteen, the Christian church has only fifteen titles to offer them in Persian. Praise God for the resources now available, including the fantastic ‘My First Study Bible’ recently published in Persian. But this statistic is not acceptable. Much more action is needed so the children of Iran hear the Good News of Christ and can grow as his disciples.

Pray for

Hundreds of new books and DVDs to be produced for children
Film makers, authors, translators, editors to be raised up
Funds for the task

Tourists, let’s give them something

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:57:50 +0000

Keen evangelists know a bus/rail station or airport is a good place to work, for this is where people arrive from ‘closed’ countries and can be given a New Testament and some Christian literature. Though Iranians face fairly severe visa requirements, they still travel – a lot. Thirty nine international airlines operate out of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport to Europe, South America, and Asia. Some of the countries Iranians are flying to, like the Gulf States or China, are as closed as Iran. But others, like India or Holland, are completely open. There is nothing to stop churches meeting Iranians off a flight with a welcome to their country, and the present of a New Testament in Persian. Some Iranians travel by bus to neighbouring countries – Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan. These countries need more sensitivity, but wise Christians can still be creative when those weary travellers get off their dusty bus.

Pray for

Churches near airports to be active in evangelizing Iranian visitors
Wisdom for Christians who can meet bus passengers
Supply of New Testaments

Dark magic, so more exorcists please

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:46:15 +0000

Ouija boards, calling on the spirits, putting curses on necklaces, fortune telling – there is plenty of ‘jadugari’ (dark magic) going on in Iran among ordinary people. And as is true the world over there’s a heavy price to pay for dancing with the demons. Recently Elam’s ‘Healing For The Broken Hearted’ testimony based TV programme featured a lady whose talking with evil spirits led her to be possessed. Her resident demon refused to let her have any friendly relationships with anyone else – especially her husband. Life was miserable. This family was contacted by Christians and on coming to church they made a commitment. The wise pastor realised the lady needed deliverance and sent her away to experienced exorcists who prayed and fasted. She was wonderfully freed. After this programme was broadcast the telephone counsellor received many calls and emails from others afflicted by evil spirits. In one instance a team were able to visit, and pray for the victim – and again, in the all powerful name of Jesus Christ, demonic chains were cut.

Pray for

More exorcists to be raised up
Those oppressed to find Christians who can help
More TV programmes that deal with people’s pain