Iran (MNN) — Despite the Iranian government’s attempts to suppress the protests, demonstrations continue across cities and universities. The authorities’ brutality toward protesters and their families is only strengthening the resistance.
Many Iranians no longer want to live under the current system, hoping for a change in the country. Lily Ricci with Iran Alive Ministries shares a recent story that shows the love people have for their country and faith in God:
Young man (photo courtesy of Arafat uddin Showrab via Unsplash)
“A father who was a believer contacted us and said, ‘I lost my 20-year-old son in the protests, and when I went to get his body, I had to pay for the number of bullets that were used to kill my son. And there were three.’”
In that case, authorities demanded about $6,000 before releasing the body. This is one of many similar cases.
However, when families cannot afford the fee but still want to bury their loved ones, officials pressure them to claim their relative was an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) soldier. Ricci explains:
“They’re asking people to lie so that they can falsify the number of people who were participating in the protests.”
The grieving father also shared his perspective inspired by faith in Christ: “I’m sharing this with you not as a victim, but as a victor, knowing that even in our losses, God is with us and He will carry us through.”
Representative photo courtesy of
Artin Bakhan via Unsplash
He asks those who hear his story to be a voice for his son and to expose what he sees as evil at work in Iran. Pray for freedom for the Iranian people and for God’s justice. Ricci adds:
“Pray for this demonic force that has been holding Iran in such a tight grip for over 47 years to be lifted, and for the Spirit of God to be released so that true freedom — found only in knowing Christ — would take root in Iran.”
Many ministries are preparing for the day they can openly serve in a free Iran. “Iran Alive Ministries,” says Ricci, “has been preparing a strategy for the plan of return.”
Leaders within the underground church network are already in place. They are discipling believers quietly and building strong foundations of faith. They pray for freedom to step into the open, establishing churches publicly and continuing the discipleship process without fear of house raids, arrests, or government retaliation.
Header representative photo courtesy of Breet Sayles via Pexels.
