Live programme offers “shelter of peace” for children in Iran
I want to ask you to pray for me. Last night, five or six missiles flew right over our heads. Since then, I haven’t been able to sleep at all. I was so scared. We keep reading this verse: ‘I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done’ (Psalm 118:17).”
Sarina, aged 10, from Iran
Prayers and messages from children in Iran have been flooding into SAT-7’s Persian channel as the conflict with Israel intensifies.
The programme featured many calls and messages from children in Iran in response to the current situation. One young viewer described Church4Kids as “like a shelter full of peace”, while another said, “Thank you for being by our side and praying for us. This gives us hope.”
SAT-7 PARS went live on satellite and social media yesterday (17 June) with a special episode of Church4Kids, which focused on helping young viewers to manage their emotions during times of crisis.
Many Church4Kids viewers shared with presenter Mariam how they are feeling fearful and concerned for loved ones, and that they have been unable to sleep. “It’s really beyond words, auntie, not knowing when you close your eyes at night if you’ll live to see the sunrise. Worrying about your loved ones, not knowing if they’re safe or not,” said Negar, aged 10.
But many also expressed their faith in God and committed their country to Him in prayer. Maryam, aged 9, prayed, “God, I pray for my beloved Iran – a wounded land, but full of hope. Amid war, pain and tears, You are our only hope. Comfort the broken hearts, hear the cries, and shine Your light from heaven upon our land.”
Speaking after the broadcast, Church4Kids presenter Mariam said:
What hurts my heart the most is thinking of the children and young people in Iran, witnessing violence, fear and loss. But they still hold onto hope and onto God. In these difficult times, these children remind us of the power of prayer and of faith. We believe that no matter how dark things seem, God’s light will break through.”
SUPPORT FOR VIEWERS
The Church4Kids team encouraged young viewers to engage with and express the difficult emotions they are experiencing, and they were honest about their own.
Hanieh said: “I myself have been feeling a lot of different emotions these days. I feel fear, I feel worry, and sometimes sadness comes over me. But I also feel that these hard times are a kind of opportunity, a chance for us to get to know God better and to trust Him more… In times like these, we can have faith in God and be sure that He is taking care of us.”
Live women’s programme New Identity was adapted on Monday (16 June) to focus on the situation in Iran, and in particular the impact of war on children, with guest speaker Pouneh Mekwandy providing expert advice for parents on how they can support and protect their children’s mental health during such times.
On Friday (13 June), SAT-7 PARS went live with four special programmes throughout the day, offering prayer and support to viewers in Iran after the first night of the airstrikes.
PLEASE PRAY:
- Give thanks that the Lord rules over the nations, and pray for His peace and justice to prevail in this distressing situation.
- For all those in Iran and the Holy Land, especially the children, who are feeling afraid and are unable to sleep. May they experience the Lord’s peace and protection.
- For the SAT-7 PARS team, who are based in Cyprus and the UK; most of them have family and friends inside Iran and are concerned about their welfare. Pray that they will be able to stay in contact with their loved ones and that the Lord will watch over them.