Dreams in the Darkness: Easter Miracles in Iran

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Over the past several weeks, we've been exploring stories of God's work during Ramadan—how Jesus is revealing Himself to Muslims through dreams, visions, and divine encounters during their most sacred month.

And now, as we transition from Ramadan into the Easter season, I want to share one more powerful story that bridges both of these significant times.

Today, we journey into one of the most spiritually restricted nations on earth—the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It is a place where Christianity is outlawed, where churches have been forced underground, where Bibles are banned, and where following Jesus can cost you everything.

And yet… Iran has one of the fastest-growing churches in the world—fueled in part by what happens every year around the Easter season.

This is the story of dreams, visions, secret gatherings… and the risen Christ walking into locked rooms.

Let me paint the picture for you.

In Iran, you won't find church signs. You won't see Christian bookstores. You won't find worship services streaming online.

Instead, the church meets in basements. In living rooms. On rooftops at midnight. In abandoned warehouses. In whispered circles of two or three.

There are no choirs. There is no choir loft. There are no microphones. No sound systems. No Easter banners or decorations.

And yet… believers gather every year in secret to celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection.

Here's what's remarkable.

Missionaries and underground pastors report that in the weeks surrounding Easter, dreams and visions of Jesus dramatically increase.

It's as if the resurrection story—even when forbidden—breaks through anyway. The government can ban Bibles. They can close churches. They can imprison pastors. But they cannot stop Jesus from appearing to people in their sleep.

Let me share a story that illustrates this powerfully.

One underground church leader shared this story from an Easter week several years ago:

A Muslim man in his 20s had been struggling with fear and depression. His life felt empty. He was searching for meaning but didn't know where to find it.

One night, he dreamed of a Man in shining white standing beside an empty tomb.

The Man called him by name and said: "Why do you fear? I am the Resurrection and the Life."

He woke up trembling, unsure what the dream meant. In his Islamic worldview, he had no context for this. Who was this Man? What was this empty tomb?

The next night, the same dream returned. Word for word. Image for image. The Man in white. The empty tomb. The voice calling his name.

And a third night as well—this time with the Man stretching out His hands, showing wounds that looked like light.

Friends, listen to this: The young man had never read the Bible. He had never heard the Easter story. He did not know about Jesus' scars.

But he felt compelled to search. Something deep inside told him this dream was significant, that he needed to find out who this Man was.

During Easter week, as he walked through a market, a stranger bumped into him—a Christian woman carrying groceries.

A small folded tract slipped from her bag and landed at his feet.

In Iran, this is incredibly dangerous. You can be arrested just for possessing Christian literature. But there it was, at his feet.

It read: "He is risen. He is Lord."

He followed her—took the risk—and whispered, "Tell me… who is this?"

That night she introduced him to two underground believers. They met in a small apartment, curtains drawn, speaking in hushed voices.

They opened a New Testament—the first he had ever seen—and read: "I am the Resurrection and the Life." John 11:25.

He burst into tears.

"This is the One from my dream," he said.

He surrendered his life to Christ that night—and was baptized quietly in a bathtub at 2 a.m. on Easter morning.

Just like we've been hearing throughout our Ramadan series—Jesus meeting Muslims where they are, revealing Himself supernaturally—the same thing is happening during Easter season in Iran.

Let me share three powerful truths from Scripture that this story brings to life.

First, Jesus still visits locked rooms.

John 20:19 says, "The doors were locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, yet Jesus came and stood among them."

Iranian believers say this is happening today—Jesus enters locked spaces where no preacher can go. Homes that are under surveillance. Cities with no Christian witness. Hearts that seem completely closed to the Gospel.

The government can lock the doors, but they cannot keep Jesus out.

Second, the risen Christ reveals Himself to seekers.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

Many Iranian Muslims encounter Jesus supernaturally before they ever meet a Christian. They have dreams during Ramadan. They have visions around Easter. They hear His voice calling them by name.

God is not waiting for us to reach them—He's already at work.

Third, the resurrection breaks fear.

Revelation 1:17-18 says, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore."

This is the message appearing in dreams across Iran. "Do not be afraid." The same message the angels spoke at the empty tomb. The same message Jesus spoke to His disciples.

Now let me tell you what Easter looks like in the underground church.

During the weeks around Easter, underground churches often gather in small groups of 4-6 people. Any larger and you risk detection.

They whisper hymns. They read Scripture by candlelight or phone light. They take communion with small pieces of bread hidden in napkins. They pray for courage, knowing officials may knock on the door at any moment.

One pastor described it this way: "Every Easter, we remember that our Savior stepped out of a sealed tomb. So we know He can step into any locked house in Iran."

Think about that. Their Easter isn't about sunrise services in beautiful sanctuaries. It's not about Easter lilies and full choirs. It's about gathering in fear and danger to celebrate that death could not hold Jesus—and therefore, nothing can stop His church.

Reports from the underground church show that many first-time baptisms happen during Easter week. Entire families come to Christ after shared dreams—a father and son both dreaming of Jesus on the same night.

Former imams convert after seeing visions of the risen Jesus. These are men who devoted their lives to teaching Islam, suddenly encountering the living Christ.

Miraculous healings often occur near Easter gatherings. Physical healings, emotional healings, deliverances from demonic oppression.

One former imam said: "At Easter, Jesus walks through Iran. I saw Him… and everything changed."

Despite persecution, imprisonment, and government pressure—the Iranian church continues to multiply.

No buildings. No freedom. No public Easter services. No advertisements. No evangelistic campaigns.

And yet… the resurrection power of Christ is spreading from home to home, from heart to heart.

Today, millions quietly identify as followers of Jesus in Iran.

Some estimates say the Iranian church has grown from fewer than 500 believers in 1979 to potentially millions today. Nobody knows the exact number because it's all underground.

And many trace their first encounter with Him to a dream, a vision, a whispered testimony, or a secret Easter gathering in a darkened room.

One Iranian believer summarized it perfectly: "They can lock a door. They can shut a church. But they cannot seal a tomb again. Jesus is alive, and He walks among us."

So what does this story mean for us?

The Iranian Easter stories remind us of five vital truths:

First, the resurrection is not limited by geography or government. Jesus doesn't need our permission. He doesn't need religious freedom. He doesn't need ideal conditions. He shows up anyway.

Second, Jesus is still revealing Himself supernaturally. We saw this throughout our Ramadan series—Muslims encountering Jesus in dreams and visions. It's happening around Easter too. God is not limited to our methods.

Third, fear cannot silence the Gospel. The Iranian government has tried everything to stamp out Christianity. But the more they persecute, the faster it grows.

Fourth, the Spirit is moving powerfully among the persecuted. While the comfortable church in the West often struggles with lukewarm faith, the suffering church burns with passion.

Fifth, Easter is not fragile. Easter is unstoppable.

Let me ask you some questions. What would it cost you to celebrate Easter? For Iranian believers, it could cost their freedom, their safety, their lives. For us? We complain if the service runs a little long.

How seriously do you take the resurrection? Iranian believers risk everything to gather and remember that Jesus conquered death. Do we treat Easter with that same reverence?

And what are you doing to support the persecuted church? These are our brothers and sisters. They need our prayers. They need us to advocate for them. They need us to remember them.

Friends, as we move into this Easter season, I want to challenge you. Don't take your freedom for granted. Don't treat Easter like just another holiday. Don't let the resurrection become background noise in your life.

The risen Christ is still entering locked rooms, still calling names, still showing His scars, and still raising the dead to life.

Let me pray…Thank you for joining me today. The story of Easter in Iran reminds me that nothing—no government, no persecution, no locked door—can stop the risen Christ.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, pray for the persecuted church, and remember—you cannot seal a tomb that Jesus has already opened.

Spotify podcast

The Night of Power for Muslims - A Time to Pray for Christians

Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I want to talk to you about a crucial night, tomorrow night - March 15th. It's called Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, and it's the most holy and powerful night of the year for Muslims worldwide.

Listen to these prophetic words from Romans 15:21: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."

Tomorrow night could be that night for millions of Muslims. And I want to challenge you to join me in fervent, focused prayer during this strategic spiritual moment.

[What is the Night of Power?]

Laylat al-Qadr falls on the 27th night of Ramadan, which this year is March 15th. Followers of Islam all over the world will be seeking Allah for forgiveness and asking him to work miracles. It is considered the most powerful and holy night of the entire year.

This night is considered special because Muslims believe it was on this night that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad. They also believe that special groups of angels are released to accomplish special tasks on the earth. The Quran says that this night is "better than a thousand months" (Surah 97:3).

It is on Laylat al-Qadr, Muslims say, that Allah is most receptive to prayers. Many Muslims pray all night, seeking a response to specific requests. They fast during the day and spend the entire night in prayer and recitation of the Quran.

[A window of spiritual hunger]

Here's what's crucial for us to understand: On the Night of Power, the people of the Islamic world are open to hearing from Allah. They hope to see visions. They expect to receive supernatural guidance.

Think about what I shared in previous podcasts about Muslim prayer being one-way communication—they pray to Allah but never expect Him to speak back. But on this night, there's an exception. On this night, they actually hope and expect something supernatural to happen. They're spiritually hungry. They're seeking. They're open.

This is a strategic moment! As Muslims around the world spend much of this night seeking Allah's favor, we have an incredible opportunity to intercede and ask the one true and living God to glorify Himself throughout the Islamic world.

[Current statistics - the scale of this night]

Let me give you a sense of the scale we're talking about. There are approximately 1.9 billion Muslims in the world today. While not all of them observe Ramadan strictly, conservative estimates suggest that over a billion Muslims will participate in some form of extra prayer and seeking on the Night of Power.

In countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, and Egypt—as well as in Muslim communities throughout Europe, North America, and around the world—mosques will be packed all night long. Families will gather. People who rarely pray will pray. Those who are spiritually lukewarm will become earnest seekers for this one night.

And here's what's exciting: We know from previous years that some Muslims do encounter Jesus during the Night of Power! Missionaries and ministries working in the Muslim world report that dreams and visions of Jesus often spike during Ramadan, and particularly around the Night of Power.

[Biblical precedent - strategic prayer moments]

There's biblical precedent for strategic, focused prayer at crucial spiritual moments. When the Day of Pentecost came, the disciples were all together in one place, praying—and the Holy Spirit came in power (Acts 2). When the early church prayed together, the place where they were meeting was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31).

When Daniel understood from Scripture that the time of Israel's captivity was nearly over, he gave himself to prayer and fasting, and God sent the angel Gabriel with revelation (Daniel 9). Strategic moments require strategic prayer.

The Night of Power is such a moment. Muslims are spiritually open in a way they're not the rest of the year. We need to be praying!

[Specific prayer requests - how to pray]

So let me give you specific ways to pray for the Night of Power. I encourage you to set aside significant time tomorrow night—whether an hour, several hours, or all night—to intercede for the Muslim world.

First, pray for the Lord of Hosts to reveal Himself to Muslims as they open themselves to divine revelation. Psalm 84:12 says, "LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you." Pray that Muslims seeking Allah will encounter the true God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Second, pray for multitudes of Muslims to have visions and dreams of Isa (Jesus) on the Night of Power. Romans 15:21 says, "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand." This is the perfect prayer for this night! Pray that Muslims who have never heard the Gospel clearly will see Jesus in dreams and visions.

Third, pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully during this time of prayer, drawing followers of Islam out from darkness and into the marvelous light of Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." Colossians 1:13-14 says, "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Fourth, pray for Muslims around the world to be convicted of their sin and need for a Savior. Pray for this to lead to repentance and the acceptance of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret." Many Muslims are burdened by sin and guilt, trying to earn forgiveness through their prayers and fasting. Pray that they'll discover the free gift of forgiveness in Jesus.

Fifth, pray for the Kingdom of God to come in power to the followers of Islam—especially in Indonesia (the world's largest Muslim nation with over 230 million Muslims), North Africa (Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan), South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan), and the nations of the 10/40 Window. 1 Corinthians 4:20 says, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." Pray for a powerful demonstration of God's Kingdom!

[Pray for specific regions and people groups]

Let me get even more specific. Tomorrow night, pray by name for these regions and peoples:

Pray for Saudi Arabia—the birthplace of Islam and home to Mecca and Medina. There are an estimated 34 million people in Saudi Arabia, almost all Muslim. Christianity is illegal, churches are banned, and conversion can mean death. But there are secret believers, and the underground church is growing. Pray for breakthrough!

Pray for Iran—a nation of 88 million where the underground church is experiencing unprecedented growth. Despite brutal persecution, tens of thousands of Iranians are coming to Christ. Pray that the Night of Power will spark even more encounters with Jesus.

Pray for Afghanistan—one of the most closed countries on earth, with 40 million people and virtually no open Christian witness, but the underground church is growing. Pray for dreams and visions to reach those in Afghanistan.

Pray for Pakistan—over 230 million people, the second-largest Muslim population in the world. Christians face severe persecution, but God is moving. Pray for boldness among Pakistani Christians and for Muslims to encounter Jesus.

Pray for Indonesia—270 million people, the world's largest Muslim nation. But Indonesian Christians have been remarkably effective at reaching Muslims! Pray for the harvest to continue and accelerate.

Pray for Nigeria where the Muslims in the north, specifically Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsman, are murdering Christians at a genocidal rate. May they encounter Jesus like Paul did on the road to Damascus, as he was on his way to arrest and kill Christians. May Nigerian Muslims have conversions like Paul’s. 

Pray for North African countries like Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia—the ancient homelands of Christianity that became Muslim centuries ago. Pray for the Gospel to return to North Africa in power!

[Pray for specific outcomes]

As you pray, ask God for specific outcomes:

Pray that at least 100,000 Muslims will have dreams or visions of Jesus on the Night of Power. That may sound like a huge number, but with over a billion Muslims praying that night, it's actually a small percentage. God can do this!

Pray that Christian satellite broadcasts like SAT-7 will reach record numbers of Muslims during Ramadan, and especially on the Night of Power. SAT-7 broadcasts in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish to tens of millions of viewers. Pray for divine appointments where seekers will turn on the TV at just the right moment and hear the Gospel.

Pray for internet searches. Many Muslims, especially younger ones, use Google and social media to search for spiritual answers during Ramadan. Pray that when they search, they'll find Christian websites, testimonies of former Muslims, and clear Gospel presentations.

Pray for divine appointments between Christians and Muslims. Maybe God wants to use you! If you know Muslims, reach out to them during Ramadan. Ask them about their fasting, about the Night of Power. Show genuine interest. Build bridges. And pray for opportunities to share Jesus.

[The 30 Days of Prayer movement]

You don't have to pray alone! Since 1993, Christians around the world have been joining together for 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World during Ramadan. This year, that prayer movement will peak on the Night of Power.

There are also organized prayer gatherings happening around the world on the Night of Power. Churches, prayer groups, and mission organizations host all-night prayer vigils specifically focused on the Muslim world. Check with your church or local prayer networks to see if something is being organized in your area. If not, consider starting one!

[Personal challenge - will you join?]

Here's my personal challenge to you: Will you commit to praying on the Night of Power? I'm planning to set aside at least two hours tomorrow night—and I'd love to pray all night if God gives me the strength and focus.

I want to be awake and interceding while Muslims around the world are awake and seeking. I want to be storming heaven on their behalf, asking God to reveal Himself to them. I want to be part of what God is doing on this strategic spiritual night.

Will you join me?

[Closing prayer and commissioning]

Let me close by praying for this night right now:

Thank you for joining me today. Please share this episode with other Christians so we can mobilize as many prayer warriors as possible for tomorrow night. Set your calendar reminder now. And get ready to see what God will do!

Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, and join the global prayer movement for Muslims!

Spotify podcast

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear: Breaking the Stronghold of Fear in Islam

Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I want to talk about the most powerful weapon Satan uses against humanity—fear. And I want to show you how this weapon is particularly effective in the Islamic world, but also how God is breaking through that fear in remarkable ways, especially in Iran.

Listen to these powerful words from 1 John 4:18-19: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us."

[A story of courage - Mohammad Mostafaei]

Let me tell you a story that illustrates the grip of fear in Islam. In 2010, an Iranian lawyer named Mohammad Mostafaei defended an Iranian woman named Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who had been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. Her case became an international human rights story.

Mohammad Mostafaei became a marked man—a man who dared to question the wisdom of Sharia law in Iran, supposedly the very heart of Islam. He fled for his life after his wife was imprisoned in Iran's notorious Evin prison because of his choices. Eventually, the family was reunited in Norway.

Can we comprehend the fear that enveloped this family? Can we understand the fear that consumes entire nations under Islamic law?

[The role of fear in false religion]

Reza Safa, a former Muslim who became a Christian, writes: "Fear is the stronghold of any false religion and the very foundation of any demonic cult. If a false religion stands strong, it is because that religion exercises great fear over its adherents. In other words, fear is the life sap of a false religion.

Fear is a darkroom in which Satan develops his negatives. Fear is the strongest weapon Satan has used against mankind. Fear of death is the strongest form of bondage. The purpose of fear is manipulation and control. The person caught in the snare of fear is controlled by the forces of darkness."

Think about the different kinds of fear operating in the Islamic world: Fear of punishment for breaking religious laws. Fear of hell for not praying five times daily or not fasting during Ramadan. Fear of honor killing if you dishonor your family. Fear of death for converting to Christianity. Fear of demons and evil spirits (jinn). Fear of curses. Fear of Allah's wrath.

This fear permeates everything—from daily decisions to family relationships to entire legal systems.

[God's answer - "Do not fear"]

God, in His infinite wisdom and love, knew that fear would be Satan's main weapon of choice against the human race. It is no wonder, then, that the Bible says more than 365 times—one for every day of the year—"Do not fear."

God does not want us to live in fear, to be paralyzed by fear, or to be slaves to sin and Satan because of fear.

Now, the Bible does say to "fear" God. Deuteronomy 10:12 says, "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

But this fear that the Bible speaks of is completely different from the fear Islam produces. The "fear of the Lord" means reverent awe at God's mighty power, respect for His holiness, recognition that walking in His ways is the best way to live, and a healthy understanding that life without God is meaningless and dangerous.

[God is a servant King - not a dictator]

God is not akin to a human dictator. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords—but He is a servant King! All one has to do is look at the life of Jesus, His servanthood, compassion, and willingness to suffer and die for mankind, to see that this fear of God is quite different than the fear that Satan uses to hold the world in his clutch.

Let me give you an example from the Old Testament that shows the compassion of God. Some critics claim the God of the Old Testament is different—harsher—than the God of the New Testament. But look at this:

God was the King of Israel. He brought them out of Egypt and fought their battles through numerous miraculous interventions. Yet during the time of Samuel, the people told God that they no longer wanted Him as their king but wanted a human king instead (1 Samuel 11-12).

Can there be any greater wickedness than to tell the God of the Universe that you don't want Him to be your king? One would think that God would thunder and rage at them.

But the God of love and compassion did not! In fact, God's first response through Samuel was: "Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart...For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own" (1 Samuel 12:20-22).

That's our God! Even when rejected, His response is "Do not be afraid. I still love you.”

[Fear as Islam's foundation]

It only takes a quick look at other religions to see that fear is the basis for the hold they have on their followers' lives. This truth is very apparent in Islam.

Reza Safa writes: "Observing the fruits of Islam and the Muslim communities, one will realize that Islam is a force that holds people in the stronghold of fear. From its beginnings to this day, fear of death has been the strategy of Islam in expanding and making converts."

Consider Sura 9:5 of the Quran, which says: "When the sacred months are past, kill those who join other gods wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them with every kind of ambush; but if they convert and observe prayer and pay the obligatory alms, let them go their way."

That's "convert or die." That's fear as a conversion strategy.

From the time of Hijra, when Muhammad and his followers emigrated from Mecca to Medina in A.D. 622, up to this hour, terror and fear have been the strategy of Islam. The Bible says in Hebrews 2:15 that through fear of death, people are subject to bondage all their lifetime.

By creating terror and death, Islam has been able to control approximately 1.9 billion people around the world. This has been the very strategy of Islam throughout history. Islam holds its followers in the bondage and shackles of fear. They fear Allah, and they fear the devil and demons (jinn) and many women fear men. Islam plunges Muslims into a state of fear where denial of Islam means death and the wrath of Allah.

[Christianity in Iran - where fear is being broken]

But here's the incredible news: God is breaking the power of fear in the Islamic world, and nowhere is this more dramatic than in Iran—the very heart of Shia Islam, the nation that was once Persia in biblical times.

Iran today has approximately 88 million people, almost all of whom are officially Muslim. Christianity is heavily restricted. Converting from Islam is illegal and can result in imprisonment, torture, or death. Church buildings are monitored. Bibles are banned. Pastors are arrested.

And yet—despite all this fear and persecution—Christianity is growing faster in Iran than almost anywhere else in the Muslim world!

According to various estimates from mission organizations and researchers, there may be anywhere from 500,000 to 1 million Iranian Christians today—most of them underground, most of them converts from Islam. Just 40 years ago, at the time of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, there were only about 500 known Muslim-background believers in Iran.

That's exponential growth! From 500 to potentially a million in just four decades, despite intense persecution.

[How God is working in Iran]

How is this happening? God is using multiple strategies to break the power of fear in Iran.

First, dreams and visions. As I've mentioned in previous podcasts, many Iranians are encountering Jesus in dreams. When Jesus appears to them and speaks to them personally, the fear begins to break. They discover a God who is not distant and angry but near and loving.

Second, satellite television. Despite government attempts to jam signals, millions of Iranians watch Christian satellite broadcasts like SAT-7 Pars, which broadcasts in Farsi 24/7. They're hearing the Gospel, seeing the love of Christ demonstrated, and discovering that God is not like Allah—He can be known, He loves them, and He sent His Son to die for them.

Third, the internet and social media. Young Iranians are incredibly tech-savvy and use VPNs to access blocked content. They're watching YouTube videos of testimonies from former Muslims. They're reading the Bible online. They're asking questions in forums and finding answers from Christians.

Fourth, disillusionment with Islam. Four decades of Islamic rule in Iran has produced widespread disillusionment, especially among young people. They've seen the hypocrisy, the oppression, the economic failure, the corruption—all justified in the name of Islam. They're searching for something better, and they're finding Jesus.

Fifth, the witness of Iranian believers. Despite the risks, Iranian Christians are boldly sharing their faith. House churches are multiplying. Believers are making disciples. And when Muslims see the radical difference in Iranian Christians—the joy, the peace, the freedom from fear—they want what they see.

[The demographics of Iranian Christianity]

What's particularly striking is the demographics. The Iranian church is young—the average age is in the 20s and 30s. It's highly educated—many converts are university students and professionals. And it's passionate—these believers are willing to risk everything for Christ. Plus, the majority may be women! 

House churches typically have 10-30 members meeting in homes, constantly changing locations to avoid detection. They worship quietly, share communion, study the Bible together, and pray fervently. When someone is arrested, the church scatters temporarily and then reforms.

Iranian Christian leaders estimate that if persecution were to lift, the visible church could grow to 5-10 million within a decade, because there are so many secret believers who would come out of hiding.

[The cost - persecution continues]

But the cost is real. The Iranian government regularly arrests pastors and church leaders. Evin prison in Tehran—the same prison where Mohammad Mostafaei's wife was held—houses dozens of Christian prisoners at any given time.

Believers face interrogation, psychological torture, long prison sentences, and sometimes execution. Families disown converts. Jobs are lost. Properties are confiscated. Some have been assassinated.

Yet they keep believing. Why? Because perfect love casts out fear. When you encounter the love of Jesus, the fear of death loses its power. As Hebrews 2:14-15 says: "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."

[What this means for us]

So what does this mean for us? Several things:

First, pray for Iran! Pray for protection over Iranian believers. Pray for those in prison. Pray for boldness for those sharing the Gospel. Pray for the Iranian government to soften its persecution. Pray for revival to continue and accelerate.

Second, support ministries reaching Iranians. Organizations like SAT-7 Pars, Elam Ministries, Transform Iran, and others are doing effective work reaching Iranians with the Gospel and discipling new believers. Your financial support makes this possible.

Third, befriend Iranian immigrants and refugees. There are Iranians living in Western countries who are far from Islam's grip of fear and more open to the Gospel. Build relationships. Show them the love of Christ. Share your faith.

Fourth, don't fear Muslims—love them! The message of this podcast is that fear is Satan's weapon. Don't let him use it against you. Don't be afraid of Muslims. They're not our enemies—they're captives who need to be set free. Love them and pray for them.

Fifth, share the message that God is love. This is the antidote to fear. 1 John 4:8 says "God is love." This is revolutionary to Muslims! They've never heard that Allah is love. When they discover that the true God loves them personally and passionately, everything changes.

[The Iranian example - hope for the whole Muslim world]

The Iranian example gives us hope for the entire Muslim world. If God can break the power of fear in the Islamic Republic of Iran—one of the most restrictive, oppressive Islamic regimes in the world—He can do it anywhere!

If Christianity can grow exponentially in a country where conversion is illegal and punishable by death, then no Muslim country is too hard for God to reach!

The same thing is happening to varying degrees in Afghanistan, Algeria, Turkey, Central Asia, Indonesia, and other Muslim-majority nations. God is on the move in the Muslim world, breaking the chains of fear and setting captives free through the love of Christ.

[Jesus came to set captives free]

Jesus came to set the captives free. We are to be His hands and feet. We cannot turn and look the other way when it comes to Islam and the grip it has on this world. We must be concerned for Muslims, pray for them, and do what God calls us to do in this eternal battle for souls.

Christians serve a God who is not a god of fear but of love. The world, especially Muslims, needs to know this. Let your heart be broken for Muslims. Do not fear them—love them and pray for them.

[Closing prayer and charge]

Let me pray: 

Thank you for joining me today. Please pray for Iran—one of the greatest revival stories happening in the Muslim world today.

Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, and love without fear!