Needed now: Prayer to remove the veil of evil darkness over Iran

It’s begun. The downfall of the Islamic Republic, the evil regime that hijacked the country of my birth 47 years ago, and as a result of which unimaginable suffering has been inflicted. For people like me, born in Iran and who experienced so much suffering first-hand, the end of the regime cannot come soon enough.

Recently, a friend reminded me of a vision God gave me while I was still in Iran, before I was arrested and sentenced to death for becoming a Christian. God told me that in order to lift the veil of evil darkness from Iran, prayer was the stealth supernatural weapon needed. That’s begun too.

Yes, military action has been successful and is still necessary. But to truly lift the veil of darkness from nearly half a century of this corrupt Islamic regime, all compounded by decades of satanic influence, a spiritual weapon is needed as well.

Recently I hosted a webinar sharing the vision and outlining the plan. Hundreds participated from dozens of countries. That alone was inspiring and encouraging to see so many people from so many different places and backgrounds care and wish to make a difference.

Iran is under both political oppression and spiritual darkness. The war against the Islamic Republic is not only a geopolitical conflict, but also a spiritual battle between good and evil. With the false god they worship, their “messianic” goal to bring the “12th Imam,” and the witchcraft that the ayatollahs and other regime leaders employ to subjugate and sacrifice Iranians, there is no more clear battle of good and evil. After all these decades, Iranians know the truth and have increasingly turned away from Islam.

For a decade from before my arrest when I would share the gospel regularly, and even more so today, Iranians are ripe for a God of love and grace. There is a growing openness to Christianity, which is thriving in the underground church. The church in Iran is the fastest growing in the world. The spiritual light and darkness there has also never been more vivid. That’s why a spiritual solution through prayer is needed.

Webinar participants responded enthusiastically and the movement is growing. I shared the vision God gave me. People around the world have committed to a seven-day period of fasting and prayer within a 47-day period from April 1 to May 17. The 47 days symbolize the 47 years of the Islamic Republic’s rule. The timing also coincides with the biblical month of Nisan, associated with redemption of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt and celebration of Passover.

It also is similar to the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, where God instructs Joshua to march around the city for seven days before its walls collapse.

While not political or geopolitical, we cannot turn a blind eye to the regime’s violence over 47 years as well as atrocities in response to recent protests. The regime’s corrupt influence extends beyond Iran into Western countries, its agents having made ideological infiltration in politics, education and media. This expands the urgency for the call to prayer beyond Iran’s borders, because the outcome will have global implications.

But when God gave me the vision, He was also clear not just about praying for seven days, but for people praying for Iran from the seven countries that border Iran: Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Iraq. Through the remarkable network of those who participated in the webinar and other ministry contacts, we expect this to happen as well. In a military campaign people talk about “shock and awe.” The power of our collective prayers will be a spiritual shock and awe.

Prayers will be not only for political change, but for spiritual transformation. Participants will pray for liberation of the Iranian people from the evil forces ruling it, for the removal of fear and oppression and for a continued Christian revival in Iran.

Participants will be sharing their prayers using a shared hashtag, #NewPersia on social media to create visibility, unity, momentum and urgency around the campaign.

For our shock-and-awe campaign, participants are asked to gather in small groups, ideally with seven people, and to pray daily while physically placing their hands on a printed map of Iran. On the seventh day, they are asked to pray seven times, and make a declaration that Iran will come free under the “kingdom of Jesus” as God promises in Jeremiah 49:34-39. This physical and repetitive structure mirrors the biblical narrative and experiences, and creates a sense of global unity.

Unlike a coordinated and targeted military campaign, these prayers for Iran are decentralized, intended to be carried out locally in small groups across the world, not around or organized by any one person. God merely gave me the vision which I share and encourage others to join.

In the midst of a war that’s necessary and just, a spiritual army has never been more urgent. Never before has the term “prayer warrior” been more relevant – or critical.

I would never have chosen to experience the trauma and suffering that I have in my life, as a woman and as a Christian in Iran. But I accept these and realize God has called me and put me through these experiences, not just to be a witness through my arrest and psychological torture, the murder of my husband, the execution of my best friend and the sexual crimes committed in the name of Allah against my cellmates, all due to the regime’s brutality. If these experiences that I suffered can be used to motivate millions of others to free Iran, to lift the veil of evil darkness that will free Iran and free the world of the threats of this regime, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to help make that possible.

Please join me in prayer and let us pray that we see God’s affirmation and a swift transformation. All details are available at NewPersia.org. New Persia will also share the names and locations of ministries and groups that participate, along with their photos and videos.