Iranian Christians have asked Christians around the world to pray for their country after the violent crackdown on widespread mass protests has left many thousands dead.

The exact number of casualties is not known and may never be known due to the Iranian regime’s continuing communications blackout. The Internet has been shut down since 8 January, which has greatly restricted the flow of information from the country. Ayatollah Khamenei has admitted that “several thousand” had been killed, but The Sunday Times reported that a network of Iranian doctors in the country had compiled figures estimating that at least 16,500 to 18,000 people had been killed and 330,000 injured.

A Church in Chains partner said their contacts confirmed that the whole country is in a state of mourning and that people are traumatised by horrific stories of brutal massacres.

Christians among the dead

It is known that several Christians have been killed while they participated in the nationwide protests. Article 18 reported the death of Mohsen Rashidi (pictured), a Christian convert. He was shot from behind while attempting to recover the body of a close friend killed during a demonstration in Baharestan, Isfahan province, on 9 January. Mohsen was shot in the thigh by security forces and died after being prevented from entering the local hospital by government agents stationed in front of the hospital. He died as a result of severe bleeding. Mohsen leaves behind his wife, a four-year-old daughter, and two teenage step-daughters from his wife’s previous marriage, for whom Mohsen had assumed the role of a father.

Call for Prayer

Last week, Davood H. M. (pastor of the Iranian Gospel Church in Dublin) recorded a video designed to be shown in churches calling for five minutes of prayer for Iran. It can be accessed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKjKNdOqulg and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/reel/26178942025044985

On 21 January, Elam Ministries published a list of updated prayer points for Iran including:

• For comfort for the thousands of families who have lost loved ones, and for those who have been arrested or injured.
• For all Iranians who are distressed and living with a sense of hopelessness.
• For wisdom and courage for Iranian church leaders as they lead in difficult circumstances.
• For continued faithfulness to God’s mission and Kingdom work.

(Article 18, Elam Ministries)