"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
(1 Peter 1:3)
Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, designed for the liberation of Iranians, I have been praying daily for the underground Church in Iran. For the first time in 47 years, they have a real hope to finally emerge from their secret house churches and be able to have real church services without being arrested and imprisoned for their faith. President Trump has become a modern-day "King Cyrus" to the Christians in Iran who desperately want freedom to worship without the threat of death and imprisonment.
I am a monthly supporter of Elam Ministries, which provides online and in-person resources for the underground church. We have been meeting regularly online to receive updates about the Christians in Iran and spend valuable time praying for them. Elam Ministries is encouraged that one day the Christians in Iran will have true freedom to worship, and "Operation Epic Fury" is making that hope come true.
For decades, Christians have suffered immensely for their faith. When it's discovered that they have converted to Christianity from Islam, their families cut them off, their employers fire them from their jobs, and security forces regularly raid their homes, arresting them and putting them in prison. Now, as the Easter Holiday draws near, with bombs falling all around them, and massive damage piling up in the streets, the Iranian Christians focus on the hope they have in Christ. The Words of Jesus comfort their souls and give them strength during this "very necessary" crisis that they are facing.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world."
(John 16:33 ESV)
The promise of Jesus gives Iranian Christians the strength and stability that they need to face the violence and war all around them. As I was preparing for work today, I came across a very encouraging video from Elam Ministries based on the experience of a young Iranian Christian at the bakery. The video is proof of how God is protecting and encouraging the underground church in this crisis. It is no wonder the underground church in Iran is considered the fastest-growing church in the world. Iranians are unashamed to publicly proclaim their faith, recognizing the grave risks they are taking with their lives. They act courageously because they worship a living Savior who willingly gave up his life so they could be saved from their sins. Iranian Christians are bold because Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan, and victoriously rose from the dead.
With the complete obliteration of the Islamic Republic on the horizon, this Easter, let us bow in prayer that God would protect and give Boldness to the brave Iranian Christians. Jesus is Alive in Iran, and his Church is expanding and growing every day. Iranians have the power of the resurrected Christ dwelling in their hearts. They have hope that their day is coming very soon. Maybe even this Easter!
