PRAYER VIGIL
SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
It has been two years since Pastor Saeed Abedini was imprisoned in Iran for preaching his Christian faith. Naghmeh Abedini, Pastor Saeed’s wife, invites us to join her in remembering Pastor Saeed Abedini and others who are persecuted for their faith by participating in prayer vigils across the world.
"The kids and I are longing to see Saeed returned home safely to us," Abedini said in a release. "The kids have been suffering for too long. Our family is ready. It is time. We are praying for a miracle. My hope is that, as thousands gather together on September 26, our governments and leaders will be reminded of the importance of religious freedom for all and continue to pressure Iran to secure Saeed’s release.”
Vigils in 27 countries will be held on September 26th, the anniversary of Saeed’s imprisonment. Click here for a list of churches in the USA holding prayer vigils.
- Elizabeth Kendal writes of the situation in Iran -
* IRAN: REPRESSION ESCALATES
Three trends are present in Iran today: Iran is ascendant in the Middle East; Iranians are abandoning Islam in unprecedented numbers; the leadership ispreparing for transition. [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has cancerand, according to some sources, it is advanced and terminal.] Mix these trends and you get escalating repression. This month, an Iranian blogger was sentenced to death for 'insulting the prophet'. In May six young Iranians were arrested in Tehran after a truly delightful film clip they made of themselves harmlessly dancing to Pharrell Williams' song 'Happy' went viral. On 17 September the youths were each sentenced to six months' jail and 91 lashes, suspended for three years (i.e. they will receive their punishment only if they 're-offend' in the next three years). As they have not been banned from leaving the country the regime doubtless hopes they will leave, taking their 'offensive' happiness with them! Persians who are openly Christian are also being driven out of Iran using exactly the same tactic of inculcating fear and despair through intimidation and threat.
Hoping to counter the trend of God moving powerfully amongst Persians both in and outside Iran, the regime is ratcheting up the pressure on pastors and evangelists. As noted in RLPB 275 (27 Aug), two pastors, Saeed Abedini (34, a US citizen) and Farshid Fathi (35), have now been moved from Evin Prison (which houses political prisoners) to the maximum security Rajaei-Shahri prison which houses the state's most violent criminals. This move deliberately endangers the lives of these pastors and doubtless terrifies others seeking to witness for Christ in Iran. Furthermore, the regime recently upgraded the charges against Behnam Irani (43), pastor of a 300-member Church of Iran in Karaj city. Already serving a six-year sentence for crimes against national security (witnessing to Muslims), Irani now stands accused of 'spreading corruption on the earth' -- a capital offence. His family has not had any contact with him since 25 August. Please pray for the Church in Iran and especially for Iran's Christian prisoners.
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. (Psalm 17:8-9 ESV)
- Check out the situation in Saudi Arabia for foreign workers living in Saudi Arabia, many of whom are Christians. Also problematic is the abduction back to Saudi Arabia of Saudi Arabian converts to Christianity living overseas.
-- Read the same report that discusses the latest situation in Lebanon, Nigeria, Central African Republic, and Pakistan. The world is becoming more and more dangerous and unhinged, and especially for Christians.