Pray for Christians in Iran

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3

This story really captured my heart today (click). Though it seems surreal, it's not a scene from an action movie. Men and women who convert to Christianity in Iran are being rounded up and imprisoned for it. Many believers sit in jail or worse as I write. This is not new, of course, but we tend to be a bit isolated here. Not too many of us know what it's like to be persecuted for our faith; I sure don't. Frankly, I fear that this has as much to do with how we live out our discipleship as it does with where we live.

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:19-20

Following Jesus, or so He claims, will never be safe, although "going to church" seems to come with few repercussions. But we'll save that discussion for another day.

For now, let's all pray for our brothers and sisters in Iran who -- for following the Prince of Peace -- undergo unspeakable horror . This sort of thing is not so rare as we might think. It is not confined to any one region of the globe, and it is not absent from any either.

I came across these lyrics recently (though I've never heard the song). Entitled, "How Long?," it seems appropriate today.

As we bring our songs of love today
Do you hear a sound more glorious?
Like the mighty roar of ocean waves
Many witnesses surround us
It’s a harmony of costly praise
From the lips of those who suffer
Of sighs and tears and martyrs’ prayers
Until this age is over.

How long, Lord, till you come?
How long till the earth
Is filled with your song?
How long until your justice
Shines like the sun?
How long, Lord, till you come?
How long till the earth
Is filled with your song?
How long, how long?

Lord, help us to live worthy of
Our sisters and our brothers
Who love you more than their own lives
Who worship as they suffer
To embrace the scandal of the cross
Not ashamed to tell your story
To count all earthly gain as loss
To know you and your glory

O Lord,
We ask for strength beyond strength for those who love you even in the face of persecution, those who offer 'costly praise.' Deliver them from their captors, and protect them from all harm. Be with those who imprison Christians and let them see your love in our sisters and brothers in prison. Above all else, O Lord, may your Name be glorified as followers of The Way are faithful to you in all things. Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.