Testimony of Parinaz

My name is Parinaz and I was born in a Moslem family. When I was 9 years old they taught me to cover up and wear a Hijab.  They taught me to recite the prayers at school as my parents did as part of the daily ritual. My ritual was only a duty and only for fear of going to hell I fasted for one month out of the year.They taught me to fear Allah, but I was asking myself if Allah has created man why should we fear him? I asked Allah, “Why I should recite my prayers in Arabic, a strange language to me?” I never felt his closeness and love; the only thing I knew was to go to prayer before him and present my request to him, yet I always had this vacuum in my heart.

In the midst of my divorce I saw clearly how corrupt the Islamic system is and how unjust it is towards women. I once was caught not wearing my Hijab correctly and was harassed and embarrassed as a result of that. When I verbally defended myselfI was labeled “anti-regime” and was threatened with arrest and prosecution in the high court.

Due to all these injustice I was very depressed and concluded that Islam is a religion of injustice, cruelty and dictatorship. For months I was under various depression medications until I joined a home church group through friends of mine who knew my situation. God’sword penetrated my heart and soul and I felt a peace which I never felt in my life before. I felt the urge to live and was getting free from the burden that Islam had put on me.  I felt as if I was born again. I didn’t need to take medication any longer knowing that Christ is with me everywhere and I have his support. Instead of putting guilt on my soul He removed the guilt and sin from my life and I now feel not burden, but joy. I don’t need to pray at certain times in Arabic, at certain posture and recite certain words whenever I have to pray. His love has given me such power to love others as well. I am so grateful that I now have Christ in my life as my Saviour, havingaccepted Him as my Lord and my King.  His love is real and even in the worst times in my life I have His peace with me. My view of life and death has completely changed, and I have no fear of death now.

When I came to Canada I saw the Mohabat’s advertisement in one of the Iranian newspapers. Without any delay I came to church and was welcomed by Pastor Sam Nasser and His wife. They hugged me and called me forward and prayed for me. I pray that the LORD our God give all of us wisdom and understanding to live a life worthy of Him and serve Him with patience and joy. He delivered me from darkness. I eagerly wait to hear the message given by Pastor Sam every week and his prayers and teaching has brought much fruit in my life. Today I want to be baptised in obedience to Christ and to identify with him in His death and resurrection, as He has commanded us in Matt 28:18-20:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Amen