Quick Facts:
Population in DC Area 40,000
Concentrated Areas: McLean, VA, Potomac, MD
Primary Branch of Islam: Shia
Primary Country of Origin: Iran
Probable Language: Farsi
Overview:
Most DC area Iranians are nominal Muslims. One indication of this is their relative absence in local mosques. Many have eschewed religion all together after experiencing the fall of the Shah’s comparatively westernized government by the current strict Islamic leadership in 1979. Amongst younger immigrants, recent global rallies declaring “Women, Life, Freedom!” have similarly affirmed a cooler stance towards stricter interpretations of Islam. While they are few in number, the DC area does have some small predominantly Iranian churches.
Prayer Points:
- Pray that the American dream would pale in comparison to knowing Christ. Pray that Persians in Metro DC will see beyond the goal of physical prosperity to see their spiritual poverty. Pray that they will acknowledge their sins and see their need for a Savior.
- Pray that believing Iranians would reach out to fellow Iranians, sharing the Gospel with them and pointing them to Jesus.
- Pray that the Persians in the Metro DC area will encounter true followers of Jesus. Pray that Christian friends, neighbors, and colleagues will share the Gospel with them.
Prayer Video
Click below to visit Prayercast for a prayer video and learn more about Persians. Pray for Persians in the Metro DC area, as well as for Persians still living in Iran or other places around the world. Pray that God would draw Persians to himself and that the Gospel would spread among them.
Additional Links:
More information about Persians in the US (includes links to additional resources for sharing the gospel with Persians)
Persians in Washington DC Prayer Profile from upgnorthamerica.com