Pray alert: Pray for the Church in Iran

After weeks of negotiations, the weekend marked the end of the peaceful, diplomatic talks between Iran and the US. Explosions were heard in Tehran, as Israel said it had launched a “pre-emptive” strike against Iran.

Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a “special and immediate state of emergency” in Israel. The airstrikes hit central Tehran while strikes were also heard in Isfahan and Qom. The attack followed a series of earlier airstrikes targeting South Lebanon. Both Iran and Israel have now closed their airspaces.

The US and Israel had claimed that Khamenei and other high-level officials were killed in strikes. On Sunday, 1 March, the Iranian state television confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei (86) had served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989. An Iranian TV presenter announced his death, while the channel aired archive footage marked with a black mourning banner.

While the national TV is mourning, videos posted on social media showed scenes of jubilation in Tehran. In other countries around the world, many Iranians took to the streets to celebrate the news.

“A sobering moment in Iran’s history”
An Open Doors expert on Iran shares: “The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei marks a significant and sobering moment in Iran’s history. As an Iranian Christian, I cannot ignore that under his leadership, the Church in Iran lived for decades under intense pressure, facing restrictions, surveillance, arrests, and the constant weight of uncertainty. Many faithful believers endured suffering simply for following Christ.

“Yet even in hardship, the Church has remained resilient, prayerful, and deeply rooted in hope. This moment is not about revenge or triumph, but about the possibility of a different future. One where freedom of conscience, dignity, and justice are extended to all Iranians, regardless of faith or background. My prayer is that this turning point will open the way for peace, reconciliation, and genuine freedom for our nation.”

What you need to know
The Christian presence in Iran is not recent; it is a centuries-old heritage woven into the nation’s rich and diverse social fabric. Considering recent tensions, we’re mindful that minority communities, including Christians, may experience increased pressure. The growing calls within the country are not centred on elevating one faith or group above another, but on the shared desire for freedom, dignity, and equal rights for all people, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

During periods of tension between Iran and Western governments, Christians may be perceived – fairly or unfairly – as culturally connected to the West. Such perceptions can increase sensitivity around their position in society. We encourage careful and responsible public discourse that avoids unintentionally placing additional pressure on minority communities and avoids retaliation.

A prayer of hope
An Iranian Christian sister shared: “We are Christian converts who fled Iran because of persecution, and not having any freedom to express and live out our faith, endured years of displacement and lived as refugees. We are so hopeful that we will be able to go back to our homeland. May God bring peace and protect the whole Middle East through this time of change for Iran.”

Open Doors expert on Iran shared: “As an Iranian and as a Christian, I speak with a heavy heart. I do not celebrate war, nor do I take lightly the suffering it brings to ordinary families in Iran, in Israel, and across the region. Every life is precious before God.

“Yet as an Iranian, I also cannot ignore the deep longing for freedom that has lived in the hearts of our people for generations. If this painful moment becomes a turning point toward justice and true liberty, then my prayer is that it leads not to greater destruction, but to the restoration of dignity, hope, and peace.

“As followers of Christ, we pray for the protection of the innocent, for restraint among leaders, and for a future where Iran and the region may know freedom without fear. May God bring light out of darkness and peace out of turmoil.”

How you can pray
As followers of Christ and as brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, please pray:

• Pray that the international community will give priority to de-escalation and constructive dialogue, seeking solutions that prevent civilian harm and reduce the risk of wider regional instability.
• Pray that the current situation will open a door for the explosion of the Gospel of Jesus across the land. We know that the underground Church of Jesus in Iran has been rapidly expanding for years. How much can the Church grow when it’s not suppressed?
• Pray for peace, protection, and wisdom for the people of Iran amid violence and uncertainty.
• Pray for comfort for families who have lost loved ones, and divine healing for those injured and traumatised, due to the recent protests and the recent escalations.
• Pray for Iranian Christians, for courage, protection, and perseverance in this season of unrest.
• Pray for leaders and decision-makers worldwide to act justly and speak boldly for freedom of religion and belief.
• Pray for those injured, both physically and psychologically, asking for healing and emotional restoration.
• Pray for the Christian convert in detention, and for all believers held in custody, that they would be protected from any harm and released swiftly.
• Pray for courage and hope among Iranian Christians, that even in loss and fear, they would know that they’re not forgotten and not alone.

We pray that this would be an end to the oppression of the people of Iran, and a beginning of a new season of freedom, especially religious freedom, where the Gospel seeds can see the sunlight, grow and bear new fruit.