[Today’s Prayer] Iran Confirms Original Sentences for 5 Christians for “Missionary Activity”… Up to 40 Years in Total

The Tehran Court of Appeals in Iran has upheld the original sentences for five Christians who were indicted on charges of engaging in “missionary activity.” Persecution monitoring groups have criticized this ruling as a serious violation of their religious freedom.

(Omitted)

In July of the same year, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Baramin sentenced them each to seven years and six months in prison for “propaganda activities against Islamic law based on connections with foreign entities.” They were also given an additional seven-month sentence for “anti-regime propaganda.”

Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, which handled the appeal, maintained the original sentences. This was reported by Article 18, a London-based monitoring organization.

Among the defendants, Paganpour-Sassi was reportedly subjected to physical torture during detention. He was also given an additional 17-month prison sentence in a separate case for allegedly insulting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

They are also expected to appear in a civil court soon. Reports say that an additional charge of “blasphemy against Islamic sanctities” will be brought against them, based on the claim that a Christian leader living abroad criticized Islamic doctrine during an online meeting.

The indictment against Paganpour-Sassi includes participating in online church services and Christian lectures, as well as distributing Christian literature. According to monitoring groups, he was detained and tortured for 20 days in Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran in 2024.

Iran ranks 9th among countries with the most severe Christian persecution, according to Open Doors. While the government officially recognizes the Armenian and Assyrian traditional churches, it strictly prohibits the spread of Christianity in the Persian language or any evangelism activities among converts.

In particular, Christians who have converted from Islam are regarded as “apostates,” and conversion itself is considered a national security threat. As a result, many Christian leaders have been arrested under charges of “violating national security.”

In August 2025, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced the public indictment of 53 recently arrested Christians on charges of espionage. State media reported that they had attempted to smuggle in Bibles and Christian materials.

(Omitted)

Source: Christian Today

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” (Philippians 1:27–29)

Heavenly Father, we hear the heartbreaking news that five Christians in Iran who were accused of engaging in missionary activities have each been sentenced to seven years and six months in prison and even suffered physical torture while in detention.

Iran, ranked 9th among the world’s most severe persecutors of Christians according to Open Doors, regards those who convert from Islam as “apostates,” and considers conversion itself a threat to national security. As a result, many Christian leaders have been arrested for criticizing Islamic teachings or distributing Christian books.

Lord, You have said that the grace given to us for Christ is not only to believe in Jesus but also to suffer for His sake. Please remember the Iranian Christians who have been sentenced to prison for proclaiming Jesus.

Let them, who bear the unshakable testimony of salvation that no earthly power can destroy, rely solely on You even in prison, and boldly proclaim the gospel as true disciples of Christ.

Through this, may the Church in Iran and the global Church not shrink back in fear before opposition or suffering, but stand united in heart and purpose, joining in the sufferings of Christ together.

May the powers of Islam—those ideologies and thoughts raised against the knowledge of God—fall in Iran, and may Iran become a holy nation where people acknowledge Jesus, the King of Iran and of all nations, as Savior, bowing only before Him.

Raise up a holy FM army in Iran that does not fear suffering, and let them witness the great revival that spreads the gospel of the Kingdom to all nations!