Dear Friend,
Iran. The mere mention of that nation produces thoughts of conflict, political problems, and danger. But that is not the whole story. Behind the alarming headlines about this troubled region, God is moving. Behind its closed doors, behind its locked gates, whispered prayers are being answered.
All across Iran, men and women are coming to faith in Jesus. Many are doing so quietly, carefully, and at great personal cost. Some of these believers meet in homes with the curtains closed, worshiping in secret. Many must delete every message after a prayer meeting, knowing that one uncovered conversation could put their family, their freedom, or even their life at risk. In spite of the risks, they keep following Jesus.
Today, it is estimated that there are two million Christians in Iran. Many of them live under intense pressure because of their faith. Regular reports also speak of hundreds of pastors, evangelists, and Gospel workers who have been imprisoned, interrogated, or forced into hiding. Even so, the Church in Iran does not stay silent. It grows strong, stands tall, and prays fervently. At this pivotal moment in Iran’s history, all of us who are involved with Derek Prince Ministries have a remarkable opportunity to stand with them.
A Translation that Survived
Recently, a very precious treasure was placed in our hands. It is a carefully prepared Persian translation of Derek Prince’s book Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting. To protect the identity of the Iranian believer who translated this work, and for the safety of all those connected to him, I will call him Reza.
In completing this translation, Reza recognized a deep truth. Iran’s future would not be changed by politics alone. He knew that history could only be shaped when God’s people humble themselves, fast, pray, and stand together in faith.
He worked carefully. Quietly. Faithfully. In spite of his every caution, however, Reza was killed—even before his translation could reach the people he longed to serve. He never saw the fruit of his labor.
Nevertheless, Reza’s work was not lost. The manuscript survived. When it came into my hands, I could not help but feel that this was more than a translation. It was a seed, planted in suffering and tears. A seed with potential to strengthen thousands of Iranian believers hungry for the Word of God. One man gave all he had to give us the opportunity to carry his work further.
Iran Needs the Word of God
Iranian believers are not asking for comfort or safety. They are asking for strength. They need solid biblical teaching, discipleship, and life-changing truth to hold them steady when the pressure comes. They are hungry for teaching that will help them pray, fast, forgive, endure, lead, and remain faithful to Jesus. This is exactly why Derek Prince’s resources are so important for Iran at this moment.
For decades, God has used Derek’s clear, biblical teaching to strengthen believers in difficult places. Now, the critical moment for one of those nations—Iran—has arrived. We may not be able to walk openly into every city in Iran. We may not be able to visit every imprisoned pastor. We may not be able to attend every secret gathering and pray with those believers face to face. But God has opened another way.
Through books, video translations, online resources, and direct support, we can help believers on the ground in Iran to receive that same instruction for this nation’s hidden Church. With your partnership, Derek Prince’s teaching can go to places in Iran where we cannot; it can reach people in Iran who are hungry for the Word of God.
Shaping a New History
The title of the book Reza has translated could not be more appropriate or timely for Iran: Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting.
Iran needs more than political change. It needs a spiritual awakening. Without any sense of hatred, vengeance, or fear, many Iranian believers truly believe that God can write a new history for their nation. They believe such a rewriting of history will come through a praying Church. A fasting Church. A faithful Church. A Church that refuses to bow to any ruler except God.
These precious Iranian believers sense that if the Body of Christ around the world will stand with them, the Lord can use their suffering to bring light and life to the entire region. We who serve on the Derek Prince Ministries team believe that as well.
How Your Gift Can Help
Your gift today can help us bring Derek Prince’s biblical instruction to believers in Iran who are hungry, isolated, and under pressure.
Teaching: A gift of $25 can help provide digital teaching resources to underground believers.
Translation: A gift of $50 can help translate and prepare Derek’s teaching in Persian.
Books: A gift of $100 can help print and distribute books for pastors, leaders, and house-church members.
Video: A gift of $250 can help subtitle and publish a full-length Bible teaching video in Persian.
Strengthen: A gift of $500 can help strengthen persecuted families, Christian workers, and leaders facing hardship because of their faith.
Every gift matters. Every translated book or message matters. For any Iranian believer who feels alone, one word can lift them. For any house church under pressure, one book can be an inspiration. For any young leader in hiding, one message can strengthen him.
Will You Stand with Them?
Maybe you cannot go to Iran to comfort a family whose father has been taken away for preaching the Gospel. You may not be able to personally encourage a young believer who is afraid to tell anyone she follows Jesus. But your gift can reach them. Your gift can help to translate one more teaching, print one more book, strengthen one more leader, reach one more hidden disciple, help one more Iranian believer stand firm.
Reza’s life reminds us of something powerful: a servant of God may be silenced, but God’s Word cannot be stopped. The message of the Gospel continues. The Church continues. Through your generosity, we can place truth, courage, and hope in the hands of Iran’s persecuted believers at this critical moment in their history.
Will you stand with us and with them? Together, through prayer, fasting, faith, and the Word of God, we can help shape a new history for Iran.
With deep gratitude,
Vazgen
Director, DPM—Caucasus
