As intense protests continue in Iran, SAT-7 PARS’ Viewer Support Team has been witnessing a growing unity among Iranian and Afghan viewers through their prayers of intercession for one another. Persian-speaking viewers are calling on the Lord for freedom, peace, and safety for people across the region.
Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, SAT-7 PARS received several messages from Iranian viewers sharing their support for Afghans. Iranian children sent voice messages, and Iranian men and women interceded in prayer for Afghans.
Today, as people in Iran risk their lives protesting for freedom, Afghan viewers are now sending messages of encouragement and interceding in prayer for Afghanistan.
“May the Lord bring Iran out of this situation,” wrote Farhat*, an Afghan man. “The Lord has commanded us to never lose hope in His mercy. So, we pray in faith that the Lord rescues Iran and Afghanistan from this dire state. The Lord is with us!”
Ehteram*, another Afghan viewer shared: “We are always in prayer for the dear people of Iran. May the Lord Almighty save Iran. When I see what is happening to Iranians in the news, I can’t help but weep.”
Diday* also sent the following message: “I am praying for Iran, that the Lord pours out His blessings and rescues Iran from this bad situation.”
These intercessions are particularly moving because the Viewer Support Team received equally passionate prayers from Iranian viewers for Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, some of them from children. Nina*, a young girl in Iran prayed:
“O Lord, You who are our Father in heaven, and who sacrificed Your Son that we might be able to do good, we love You very much. We pray that all these things in Afghanistan will come to an end and good things will happen to them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
This deep mutual concern among viewers is bearing witness to the power of the Gospel to change hearts and minds and bring people together across major social, religious, and political divides.
Meeting the Needs of Viewers
SAT-7 PARS seeks to meet the needs of its Persian-speaking viewers no matter where they are and what challenges they face: whether Afghans who are facing a humanitarian crisis, or Iranians, who are facing the danger of violent reprisals during ongoing protests.
Panayiotis Keenan, Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS, shares that, “As a Persian language channel, we have a responsibility towards our viewers in Iran and Afghanistan, Christians and non-Christians, and we stand with our viewers, amplifying their voices and praying for peaceful change. We consistently share a message of solidarity with them as they seek peaceful and sustainable change in their country.”
The channel is currently responding to the crisis in Iran through its live programs, such as Insiders and Signal, its social media programming such as Sanctuary of the Heart, and through the Viewer Support Teams who are available to listen, support, pray, and provide counseling to viewers 24/7.
Please join us in praying for Iranian and Afghan viewers, as well as for SAT-7’s work with them.
- Pray for the Iranian people who are currently fighting for their rights and freedom. Pray for safety and that God’s will will be done in Iran.
- Pray for the growing unity that the channel is witnessing among Afghan and Iranian viewers. Give thanks for the power of the Gospel to change hearts and minds – may God continue to work this change in the lives of people in the region.
- Pray the Lord will continue to strengthen, protect, and grow the churches in Iran and Afghanistan, and unite them in their adversity.
- Pray that God will guide and equip SAT-7 PARS’s producers, presenters, and viewer support teams to minister effectively to all its viewers.
*All names changed for security purposes.
