How Iranians Are Staying Connected Amid an Internet Blackout
Guest Commentary
Audio By Carbonatix
By Amanda Idleman, Crosswalk.com
The majority of Iran’s population, which nears 90 million, remains cut off from the world as Iran’s government has imposed an unprecedented near-total internet blackout in response to widespread anti-government protests. These now nationwide protests that began in December, as businesses in Tehran shut their doors in response to rising prices, have since turned deadly.
Satellite internet provider Starlink has become one of the few ways some Iranians are able to connect to the outside world. SpaceX’s Starlink service is reportedly being made available free to users in the country, helping activists and citizens share real-time reports despite intentional shutdowns and jamming efforts by authorities. Because Iran has banned the technology and hunts down terminals, many users take significant risks to maintain access. The blackout continues, and government efforts to block signals intensify. The situation highlights both the power of technology to circumvent censorship and the high cost paid by those striving to communicate under repression.
In a time when access to communication is restricted, and truth is under threat, how can we pray for those who risk everything to share their voices — and remember that God sees every hidden cry and every story told in the dark?
Does God Hear the Silenced?
While technology has offered most of us more ways to communicate freely with the world and expanded opportunities to shed light on injustice, many still live in isolation, and their voices are restricted by their government or by others in their community. It truly takes so much courage to risk your safety, sometimes even your life, to speak truth and to call out for justice when stuck in an oppressive situation. We see many in Iran risking their lives as they find ways to connect with the outside world, going against their government's efforts to censor their people. How can we, as believers, pray faithfully when we face our own hurdles to free speech and pray for those who are currently having their voices silenced?
Remember that our voice is always heard and our stories are always seen by our great God. He is the ultimate justice bringer! While justice may not even be realized in our lifetime, God promises to judge the Earth at the end of time, making all things right and ushering in a New Heaven and a New Earth. In the meantime, God hears our quiet prayers, sees our tears, and understands better than anyone how we’ve been wronged. In Genesis 16:13, we read, “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Hagar, the one who uttered these words, suffered under the abuse of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. God met Hagar when she was so desperate that she fled to the desert alone and without sustenance. Her life was in danger, and her spirit was discouraged. She was truly hopeless, but God met her in her suffering and gave her the strength she needed to endure the trial she faced. God told her to return to her master, offering her comfort and revealing to her soul how utterly seen and known she was by the God of the Universe. She returned with a holy confidence that no matter what, she faced God, saw her, and was with her! We must trust God, just as Hagar did, to be at work on our behalf even when the world looks away from our suffering. God sees what is hidden.
How Can We Pray for People in Danger?
Those of us who are observing this terrible silencing and injustice towards a whole nation of people must petition Heaven on behalf of those who are suffering. We must pray for God to offer safety, endurance, and spiritual strength to those who are walking through this valley. Let’s ask God to place his angels of protection around those who dare to speak out despite the threats and restrictions. Give those stuck under this regime wisdom and inspire creativity that leads towards freedom. Proverbs 2:7-8 states,
“He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
Let us pray that the people of Iran who know God will find success. That God would protect them and guard them from harm. May he be a shield to those who are his children. Let us ask that they would know God’s peace even as they make scary choices.
How Can Prayer Open Doors That Tyranny Shuts?
As we watch from afar, let us storm Heaven, asking for barriers to fall and for communication to be restored. We request that our miracle-working-God would amplify the truth and shine light into the dark places in Iran and across the globe. 2 Timothy 2:9 reminds us,
“Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.”
Let God’s word, truth, and the voice of his people not be bound by the efforts of evil men. Let hope abound, and revival ignite in this nation even as its leaders attempt to silence its people. The light is greater than the darkness. That is a truth we can find hope in!
Prayer is such a gift! It allows us to align with our brothers and sisters in Christ from across the globe. Even when we can’t men attempt to separate us through borders, walls, censorship, and more, the prayers of the Saints still go forth with power and might. Colossians 4:3-4 states,
“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”
Let’s pray that God may open the door for the hope of Jesus to reach the Iranian people. Let the truth abound, and God’s light pierce the darkness. As we all pray, we become a vital part in God’s redemptive work in the world.
A Prayer for the Silenced and Suffering
Let us humble ourselves and pray today for Iran.
Father,
We thank you for seeing every person on this planet. You have made each of us on purpose and for a purpose. We thank you for hearing the prayers of your Saints and responding to our cries. God, we ask that you would intervene on behalf of those who are being silenced in Iran by oppressive rulers. Open up new and bold ways for the people in Iran to tell their stories and share freely with the world. Let your message of hope abound, even as darkness tries to intensify its efforts. God bring justice to those who are being unfairly persecuted in this nation. Let the people of Iran know they are not alone. Bring revival to this nation, and protection to its people. Offer them wisdom, comfort, and grace as they navigate this hardship. Change the hearts of leaders, soften them, drawing them closer to you. Break the chains of oppression and violence from this nation. Let those who influence Iran encourage them to lift these restrictions. Bring peace to the hearts of those who are living under the weight of fear. Make a way where there seems to be no way by your grace.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ATTA KENARE / Contributor
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
