[2026 Ramadan] Day 16 Rise with the power of the gospel that overcomes death — Iran, the last army that will destroy Babylon!

Iran’s official name is the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the past, because of its geographical location, Iran was a region through which the Silk Road passed and served as a bridge for cultural exchange between East and West. Until 1979, Iran was called “the Paris of the Middle East” and was the most prosperous and free country.

However, through the Islamic Revolution in 1979, it became the world’s only Islamic theocratic unified state, a fundamentalist Islamic republic in which 99.4% of the people believe in Islam. For 40 years, extreme anti-Americanism and anti-Israel sentiment were instilled in the entire population. After suspicions of nuclear facilities were revealed in 2002, beginning in 2006 international monitoring was strengthened, and with UN resolutions imposing sanctions against Iran and the severing of economic exchanges with the West, it became isolated in the international community. The value of Iran’s currency, the rial, continuously plummeted, and rising prices, including food, intensified the suffering of the Iranian people.

In addition, religious authorities not only showed corruption but also, through contradictory religious practices and the incompetence of a government that merely plays the puppet of religious power, lost the trust of the people. The number of people leaving for other countries in search of freedom continues to increase.

Last year, because of the “12-day war” with Israel, the economic situation became even more difficult, driving the people to their limits. From the end of December, anti-government protests that began with market merchants became the direct fuse and spread to 400 provinces nationwide. In these protests, the Iranian people shouted, “Death to Khamenei!” and “Islam, collapse!” They set fire to the Quran and hundreds of mosques, burned the Iranian flag and photos of Khamenei with cigarette flames, and openly cried out for regime overthrow.

In response, the Iranian government cut off internet and communications and carried out a hard-line suppression, opening fire on protesters accompanied by Iraqi mercenaries. The Iranian government announced about 6,000 deaths, but external human rights organizations, including Iran International and Human Rights Activists News Agency, reported from 36,500 up to as many as 60,126. Most were youth and teenagers under their 30s. It became the worst bloodshed in Iran’s history, and the entire nation is passing through an extremely painful time of sorrow and grief from losing family members.

Now to them, Ramadan, which appears only as Islamic religious acts and formal religious events, is no longer important, and only a minority of religious people are keeping the Ramadan fast.

Amazingly, on the morning of February 28 during Ramadan, Israel carried out a missile attack against Iran, and Khamenei—the absolute power who ruled for 37 years—and 40 leaders died. Hearing the news of Khamenei’s death, many Iranian people cheered, came out into the streets, danced, and rejoiced.

On the contrary, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, having lost its leader, bombed not only Israel but also Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, and Jordan—not only U.S. military facilities but also civilian facilities such as airports and hotels. These countries are even mentioning the possibility of military response against Iran, and tensions in the Middle East are heightening. In the war among Iran, Israel, and the United States that began during Ramadan 2026, we pray that only God’s will be accomplished.

In Iran, which continues to pass through unbearable times, in the year 2025 alone the increase of those receiving Jesus reached 12,000, ranking first in the world, and for over 20 years there has been a powerful church of God that has grown greatly, overcoming suffering and death. God’s ordained purpose toward Iran has given a thousandfold revival to this land.

“I will set My throne in Elam and destroy her king and officials there,” declares the LORD. “But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 49:38–39)

God is the One who speaks and fulfills. In T country, where many Muslim peoples of the 10/40 Window live, there are Iranian churches in 73 provinces. Thankfully, when we encouraged Iranian church pastors and leaders living as refugees in T country during this Ramadan period to pray together with the global church for Muslims, they were very joyful. Sister A said, “I will share with acquaintances in Europe and pray together.” Pastor M said, “I will participate in one day of fasting and daily Ramadan prayer.” They are looking at news about each people group daily and participating together. Hallelujah!

During this Ramadan period, we hope that the global church will pray together for the Iranian church that has been given a thousandfold revival. Through our prayers, the Iranian church will serve all nations with the living water that never thirsts and lead them to the Lord. Partnering in the fulfillment of God’s promised Word, it will rise as the Iranian church that accomplishes the work of life.

Hallelujah! According to the promised Word, when the Iranian church that has received God’s throne prays for the 2.1 billion Muslims from wherever they are scattered, we believe that there will surely be a work of life that destroys the kings and officials of death and falsehood who hold them.

[Today’s Prayer]

1. May the Iranian church experiencing a thousandfold revival first seek God’s will, hold to the covenant Word together with prayer that saves the nation, and be prepared as a church that sends out for the Lord’s return in the last days.

2. May the diaspora Iranian church, in the places where they are scattered, lift up the situation of their people to God and trust more deeply in the God who fulfills His Word. May they not focus on what is seen but pray for the 2.1 billion Muslims as a church preparing for the Lord’s return in the last days. May they destroy the kings and officials of the world by the power of the gospel and rise as a life-filled church of God’s mission.