Middle East

Mission partner Sara Afshari, director of the Farsi Christian TV channel SAT-7 PARS, says, "Please pray for SAT-7 PARS' plans to expand the UK operation with a new studio and facilities. Please pray that the SAT-7 PARS telephone counselling lines will not be blocked by the authorities [in countries which receive broadcasts]."

Please pray for an end to the violence and conflict, especially after yesterday's twin bomb blasts south of Damascus, that there may be a real political solution and pray for wisdom and greater unity for regional and international powers.

Greetings in the name of Jesus. We are pleased to report that Fariborz Azram, a believer from a Muslim background, was released on 11th April after six months in detention on account of his faith. He was arrested during a raid on his home on 17th October 2011. For most of his time in prison he was denied visitors, and little information about his condition was disclosed to his wife and two children. It remains unclear whether he was released unconditionally or whether bail was paid pending formal charges and a court hearing.

Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Christians in Syria have requested our prayers as they prepare to celebrate Easter. Both the Western Easter (8th April) and Eastern Easter (15th April) are recognised as public holidays in Syria. However, as last year, Easter celebrations will be muted as Syrian Christians continue to suffer, along with all Syrians, amid ongoing violence and political uncertainty. In particular, churches are planning very few public processions.

From Musalaha reconciliation ministry: "Pray as we recruit teenager for our annual Youth Desert Encounter this April 9-12 and for the leadership team as they meet this weekend to prepare for the trip. Pray for our Youth Encounter in Holland as we seek one more Israeli Youth Leader and the teens whose hearts are open to reconciliation. Pray for our summer teams that would the Lord would equip their hearts for our three children’s summer camps."

From our correspondent in Sleymany, northern Iraq: People here need your prayers, as on 1 March a Christian teacher was shot dead by one of his students.
The teacher, Jeremiah Small, 33, from the USA, had recently said he felt they were on the verge of a breakthrough for the kingdom of God in the school where he works.
A student called Beyar walked in with a revolver, said something to Jeremiah and shot him. Beyar then shot himself and has subsequently died.
All the workers here are deeply affected. We have been to the mosque for the taziye for Beyar, who is the grand nephew of Jilal Talabani (the Kurdish president of Iraq). The mosque was packed, and so was the hall where the women went. We then went to Jeremiah's house where other teachers and many of the students, especially those who had believed and who were seeking were gathered. People sang hymns and gave testimonies about Jeremiah's life.
Jeremiah has lived in Juneau, Alaska and Washington State, so his family travelled a long way to get here. His sister Sarah learned about his death from comments posted by the students on faceback.
A memorial service was held in the arts centre in Sleymany on Tuesday and there were many fine testimonies - and Jeremiah's parents and others made it very clear there is no bloodguilt on anyone in Kurdistan. His father said - 'He's already given his life away (to Jesus) so noboby could take it from him.' And he hugged the father of the boy who killed Jeremiah.

From Middle East Concern: Iranian Christians have requested our prayers following the latest series of arrests of believers which have occurred in several cities, icluding Ahvaz, Shiraz, Kermanshah and Isfahan. Some were released within a few days but others remain detained.

Do pray for all those attending the Christ at the Checkpoint conference at Bethlehem Bible College from 5 to 9 March, that all will be able to participate in the conference's stated aim "to provide an opportunity for evangelical Christians who take the Bible seriously to prayerfully seek a proper awareness of issues of peace, justice, and reconciliation" despite some of the wilder accusations being published around the internet.