The Bishop of Chelmsford has issued a prayer for Iran as tensions between the country, Israel and the United States escalate.
Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani was born in Iran in 1966, but her family fled to England in the wake of the Iranian Revolution in 1980. Her 24-year-old brother Bahram was killed by suspected government agents in Tehran and her father who was the Anglican Bishop of Iran, had himself narrowly missed an assassination attempt. He was a Christian convert from Islam and Bishop Guli grew up in a distinct Persian Church lead by the missionary movement which is still very close to her heart.
Join us in praying for the people of Iran and the wider region 🙏🏽
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) June 22, 2025
A prayer written by the Rt Revd Dr @Guli_FD, Bishop of Chelmsford. pic.twitter.com/XYScwkKTrI
In her prayer, Bishop Guli, who is said to be a contender to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury, calls for people to pray for “the people of Iran and the wider Middle East, at this time of fear and uncertainty".
She asked God to: "Be near to those who are anxious; bring comfort to all who are suffering.
“Guide those with the power to make decisions, and lead them in the ways of wisdom, compassion and moderation: that people of goodwill would seek harmony and reconciliation.
“Join us with our Christian brothers and sisters in all places, in praying for peace and justice, through him who is the prince of peace, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Posting on social media site X, the bishop said the prayer was “for the whole region, including Israel, Gaza and the West Bank - the innocent who will suffer in this conflict”.
Bishop Guli’s prayer comes as the Israeli military said it has attacked Iran’s nuclear plant at Fordo, a day after it was targeted by US airstrikes.