Elam Awakening Update | March 12

Ordinary, everyday Iranians are begging us to not forget them as the world witnesses the continuing joint American and Israeli military operations in their country.

One of our Persian Diaspora partners sent an urgent plea this week for us to share with you the increasing blanket of isolation that is being pulled across Iran. According to Netblocks, an organization that tracks global internet outages, the people of Iran have been without outside internet access for more than 13 days, and connectivity is at just 1% of normal levels. The Iranian state-run media agency has not made a single mention of the internet blackout on its English language website.

So, what does this mean?

It is terribly difficult right now for people living inside Iran to access independent news or information. They cannot fact-check what is being shared with them by their government. Their lives are made more difficult since they cannot easily contact neighbors, use messaging apps, or online mapping programs. For their loved ones who live in diaspora outside the country, the unknown is agonizing.

Iran’s underground house church movement is the fastest growing in the world – and it is expanding even now as bombs fall from the skies.

One of our partners shared a story from a member of one such church. They have been staying indoors, as most Iranians have, and live far from the main targeted areas, yet can clearly hear blasts echoing from the safety of their home.

A few nights ago, as explosions got louder, they found their fearful younger brother in bed with a blanket over his head. His older sibling sat down and held him, then began telling stories from the scriptures; reminding him how God watches over His people even in the darkest nights. They reminded their brother of Psalm 121 which says the One who watches over us never sleeps. The siblings prayed together and asked the Lord to protect their home and give peace to their fearful hearts.

This Iranian Christian shared something else we want you to know. They say when strikes happen, people aren’t panicking. It’s when the chaos stops that people become anxious. They are fearful of the future and what it means for them and their country when the attacks end. For some the unknown is becoming harder than daily life – even as unsettled and frightening as it is.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Outreach Foundation continues to bring you stories and perspectives you won’t find anywhere else. Our deep relationships with our Iranian partners are built upon years of friendship and a shared faith in the Lord.

Our partners ask that you pray for the people of Iran, for the people living with uncertainty, fear and isolation. Pray for peace.

We ask you to pray for the fastest-growing underground home church movement in the world, and that those congregations may one day soon be brought into the light so they may loudly proclaim faith in God without fear of punishment from their country’s leadership.

And we ask that you consider a gift to fuel that movement. So that when God’s timing is right, our partners will be able to swiftly bring hope and healing to our brothers and sisters in Iran. You may make a gift by sending a check to the address below with the partner name “Elam Awakening” on the memo line or you can donate on our website: www.theoutreachfoundation.org.