Iranian Mosques Closing: Is Christianity Growing?

As the Middle East grapples with the threat of broader conflict, a remarkable and hopeful transformation is quietly unfolding: a growing Jesus Revolution.

Across Iran, a surge of Muslims are turning to Christianity, driven by a search for a brighter future.

Disillusionment with the current regime’s empty promises is palpable. Recent internal polls reveal how 80% of Iranians now favor a democratic government, and many are moving away from Islam.

Todd Nettleton from The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) shed light on the current situation:

“Iran faces high drug addiction rates, rampant corruption, and significant poverty. People are looking at these issues and questioning the impact of 45 years under Islamic rule. They are eager to explore new possibilities.”

According to Nettleton, this quest for hope has led at least a million Muslims to embrace Christianity. The significant shift is even reflected in the closing of around 50,000 of the country’s 75,000 mosques, signaling a dramatic change in the religious landscape.

Despite the regime’s attempts to suppress this movement, including raids on Bible studies and the arrest of church leaders, a more tolerant attitude is emerging among Iranians’ families and friends.

In an interview with CBN, Nettleton stated:

“People are becoming more accepting of different beliefs … If someone finds solace in Jesus or another path, many are open to it, acknowledging that Islam hasn’t met their needs.”

This awakening is not confined to Iran either.

Don Shenk, Executive Director of The Tide Ministry, highlighted a broader trend across the Islamic world.

“Muslims are encountering dreams and visions that lead them to a new understanding of God and a deeper sense of purpose.”

Positive responses to The Tide Ministry’s broadcasts are even emerging from Afghanistan, despite the peril posed by the Taliban.

In Yemen, the Joshua Project bas reported that Christian growth is accelerating at nearly twice the global average. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is showing signs of increased tolerance toward Christians, a notable shift from past attitudes.

These developments show how the Spirit of God is working in powerful ways across the Middle East.

The Jesus Revolution isn’t reserved for “Christian” nations, the Word of God is transformative and Jesus came and died for all of humanity, therefore, it is for the whole world – including those regions we commonly describe as being Islamic strongholds.

As more and more experience the love of God and accept the free gift of salvation that only Jesus brings, we will begin to see a reshaping of the spiritual landscape of the entire Middle East!

This unfolding is worth praying into! The souls of man are precious and we know that there is rejoicing in heaven over one lost soul coming back home.

Here are just a few verses we can incorporate into our prayers for the salvation of those in these hostile regions of the world:

1- 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV) “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Prayer Focus: Pray that God’s desire for all to be saved would be fulfilled and that individuals would come to know the truth of Jesus.

2- Romans 10:1 (ESV) “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.”

Prayer Focus: Pray with a heartfelt desire for the salvation of those who do not yet know Christ, asking God to draw them to Himself.

3- 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Prayer Focus: Pray for God’s patience and mercy to be evident in the lives of those who need salvation, and ask for their hearts to be softened toward repentance.

4- Acts 16:31 (ESV) “And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”

Prayer Focus: Pray for entire households to come to faith in Christ, believing in His saving power.

5- Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV) “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

Prayer Focus: Pray for God to raise up workers who will share the message of salvation and reach out to those in need.

6- Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV) “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

Prayer Focus: Ask God to transform hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, making them receptive to His truth and guidance.

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