Iranian Christians seek global prayer

Amid Tehran's defiant pursuit of nuclear weapons, 120 Iranian church leaders are calling on Christians around the world to fast and pray for 40 days.

The campaign begins Thursday, which is Ascension Day, which recalls Jesus' command to his disciples, before he rose to Heaven, to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit.

A website will post daily prayer requests beginning Thursday covering the church, people and political situation in the country.

The site will include a five-minute slideshow with images from Iran along with Persian worship music to accompany prayers.

Organizer Sam Yeghnazar, executive director of Elam Ministries in the United Kingdom, says that with Iran at the "center of a global crisis that could easily lead to war … we need to fall on our knees and pray that God, in His mercy, will intervene."

Yeghnazar believes the "small but rapidly growing Iranian church is on the brink of unprecedented growth."

"Despite the prospect of persecution, men and women, young and old are putting their faith in Jesus Christ – many as a result of dreams and visions," he said. "We need to thank God for the open hearts and we want to cry out for a great revival. A strong church in Iran will impact the entire region."

Yeghnazar, who runs a Farsi-speaking Bible college and missionary training center, wants people to pray for the church, which "has experienced severe persecution and restrictions since the 1979 revolution."

In the last year, intimidation of Christians has intensified, he said.

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