At En-Joy Ministries, our hearts are heavy for the people of Iran—particularly the Christians enduring persecution and the innocent caught in the crosshairs of an oppressive regime. Iran’s religious landscape is dominated by Shia Islam, with over 90% of its population adhering to the state religion. Yet, nestled within this majority are small but resilient Christian communities, numbering anywhere from 50,000 to 370,000, including ethnic Armenians, Assyrians, and courageous converts from Islam. These believers face severe persecution, with reports of arrests, imprisonment, and even torture for their faith. In 2024 alone, 96 Christians were sentenced to a combined 263 years in prison, a stark reminder of the cost of following Christ in Iran.

As we lift up these brothers and sisters in prayer, we also yearn for a future where Iran’s people can live in freedom and peace. However, we approach the idea of regime change with caution, mindful of history’s lessons and the spiritual battle unfolding in the Middle East. Our prayers are not only for Iran but also for Israel, a nation central to biblical prophecy, and for a godly transformation that aligns with God’s will.

The Persecution of Christians in Iran

Iran’s Christian population, though small, is a testament to faith’s resilience. Recognized communities like Armenians and Assyrians have limited protections under the Islamic Republic’s constitution but are still subject to surveillance and restrictions. Converts from Islam, however, face the harshest persecution, often meeting in secret house churches under constant threat of raids. The regime views conversion as apostasy, punishable by imprisonment or worse, driving an estimated 10,000 Christians to emigrate annually. Despite these challenges, some reports suggest Christianity is growing, with underground churches multiplying as a quiet act of resistance against the regime’s oppression.

The Risks of Regime Change: Lessons from History

While we pray for freedom in Iran, we must heed the sobering lessons of past regime changes, particularly those involving U.S. intervention. History shows that such interventions often lead to unintended consequences, destabilizing nations and exacerbating suffering. In Iran itself, the 1953 CIA-backed coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, which reinstated the Shah, sowed seeds of resentment that fueled the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Shah’s pro-Western regime, while modernizing, was marked by authoritarianism and human rights abuses, paving the way for the current theocracy.

Elsewhere, U.S.-led interventions have had disastrous outcomes. The 2003 invasion of Iraq toppled Saddam Hussein but unleashed sectarian violence, displaced millions, and gave rise to ISIS, leaving Iraq unstable for years. In Libya, the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi led to a power vacuum, civil war, and ongoing chaos. These examples highlight a pattern: regime change, when driven by external powers without a clear plan for stability, often trades one form of oppression for another. If Iran is to see change, it must be organic, led by its people, and guided by God’s hand—not marred by foreign missteps that history warns against.

The Spiritual Battle: Biblical Tensions in the Middle East

The struggles in Iran and the broader Middle East transcend politics and warfare; they are rooted in a profound spiritual conflict. The Bible provides a lens for understanding this region’s turmoil. In Genesis 16-21, we see the split between Isaac and Ishmael, Abraham’s sons. Isaac, the child of promise, became the ancestor of Israel, while Ishmael, born to Hagar, is traditionally linked to many Arab peoples. This division set the stage for centuries of tension, not merely ethnic or political but spiritual, as God’s covenant with Israel through Isaac carried unique prophetic significance.

Scripture points to the Middle East as a battleground for spiritual forces. In Daniel 10:13-20, the “prince of Persia” (a spiritual entity) opposes God’s messenger, revealing demonic influences over nations. Ezekiel 38-39 prophesies a coalition, often interpreted to include Persia (modern Iran), arrayed against Israel in the last days. Yet, God’s sovereignty prevails, as these chapters foretell His ultimate victory. The formation of Israel as a nation in 1948 fulfills prophecies like Isaiah 11:11 and Ezekiel 36:24, marking a divine restoration of God’s people to their land—a sign of His faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

This spiritual warfare underscores that Iran’s challenges, and the broader Middle East conflict, are not merely geopolitical but part of a cosmic struggle between God’s purposes and the forces of darkness. Christians in Iran, standing firm in faith, are on the front lines of this battle, as are the people of Israel, who face ongoing threats from Iran’s regime and its proxies.

Our Call to Prayer

As believers, we are called to intercede for Iran, Israel, and the Middle East, trusting God to bring about change that aligns with His will. We pray for:

• Iran’s Christians: For courage, protection, and provision for those facing persecution. May their faith shine as a light in darkness, drawing others to Christ.
• Innocent People in Iran: For safety, justice, and hope for those suffering under oppression, regardless of their faith.
• Israel: For God’s protection over His covenant people, fulfilling His promises to preserve and redeem them.
• Godly Regime Change: That any transition in Iran would be led by God’s Spirit, not human ambition or foreign interference, avoiding the chaos of past interventions. May God raise up leaders who seek justice, peace, and freedom.
• Spiritual Awakening: That the Holy Spirit would move across Iran and the Middle East, breaking strongholds and bringing hearts to Jesus.

A Prayer for Iran and Israel

Heavenly Father,
We lift up the nation of Iran and its people to You. Protect and strengthen Your church in Iran, especially those enduring persecution for Your name. Grant them boldness, peace, and provision. Guard the innocent—men, women, and children—caught in hardship, and bring them hope through Your love.

We pray for Israel, Your covenant people, surrounded by threats yet upheld by Your promises. Shield them from harm and fulfill Your prophetic word in their land.

Lord, if change is to come to Iran, let it be by Your hand. Raise up leaders who fear You and seek justice, avoiding the pitfalls of human schemes that have brought chaos in the past. Break the spiritual strongholds over the Middle East, and let Your Spirit move mightily, drawing hearts to Christ.

May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done in Iran, Israel, and all the earth. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

A Call to Action

At En-Joy Ministries, we invite you to join us in fervent prayer for Iran and Israel. Share this message with your community, and let’s stand together in faith, trusting God to work mightily in this critical hour. The Middle East’s future is not in the hands of nations or regimes but in the sovereign plan of our God, who is writing a story of redemption that will culminate in Christ’s return.