‘...your prayers, your advocacy, your support, they make it possible for Christians in Iran to keep standing strong in their faith. This is the body of Christ – this is what we do for each other.’
These are the words of a Christian woman from Iran who was forced to flee, writing to churches beyond her home country, and to CSW supporters in particular. Dabrina continues her exhortation: ‘Pray, pray, and pray! Every prayer is heard – and God reveals to Christians in prison that you are praying for them.’
Find out more at csw.org.uk/iran
Sunday 22 October
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus declared that he was sent to ‘announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free...’ (Luke 4:18 MSG)
Reflect on this verse and pray for all who are unjustly incarcerated in Iran, including prisoners held because of their religion or belief. May the ‘burdened and battered’ be set free.
Monday 23 October
Earlier this year, CSW, along with our partners Article 18, Middle East Concern and Open Doors, published a report highlighting the plight of Iranian refugees in Türkiye. Pray for all Iranians forced to live in exile, especially the refugees in Türkiye who are waiting for resettlement in a third country.
Tuesday 24 October
Today is United Nations Day. Please pray for the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, who monitors, investigates and reports on human rights abuses in that country. Pray too for the CSW Press and Public Affairs Team, who spearhead our work at the UN.
Wednesday 25 October
Many Iranian refugees and asylum seekers in Türkiye are living in ‘survival mode’, facing challenges such as xenophobia, discrimination, exploitation, denial of healthcare, lack of employment, and the threat of forced return. Pray for their emotional wellbeing and practical needs.
Thursday 26 October
13 September marked a year since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. Her death sparked widespread protests for justice and reform, triggering a campaign of repression by the government that has become increasingly brutal. Pray for an end to the repression and for the calls for reform to be heard.
Friday 27 October
Today is International Religious Freedom Day, and so we take the opportunity to pray for all religious and belief minorities in Iran. For Christians, Baha’is, Sufi Dervishes, Sunni Muslims, and atheists, who all experience discrimination and harassment.
Saturday 28 October
'I want to come out of this dark tunnel and go somewhere safe. Türkiye is not safe for me.’ – Esmaeil Falahati, an Iranian refugee.
Lord, you spoke light into existence; you alone can banish the darkness. We pray this truth over the people of Iran; for those who remain under oppression, and those who were forced to flee but are still incredibly vulnerable. May your light dawn on their situations, dispersing the darkness and delivering them. Amen.