Three Christians imprisoned in Iran for participating in house churches, Ahmad Sarparast, Ayoob Poor-Rezazadeh and Morteza Mashoodkari, have been released to serve the remainder of their five-year sentences outside prison, as long as they return to work daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the jail’s adjacent factory. In addition, another house church member sentenced to two years in prison for spreading Christianity, Sakine (Mehri) Behjati, was pardoned earlier this year. (Article18, November 9)
Conversion to Christianity is punishable by death in 98% Muslim Iran. The Middle Eastern country ranks eighth in the lineup of most dangerous countries for those who seek Christ, but first as far as fastest growing underground church. Estimates put the current number of Christians anywhere from 300,000 to one million and climbing.
At least 106 Christians were arrested in Iran this summer, some of which have received sentences of up to five years in prison.
Lord, we praise You for the pardon Sakine received, and the conditional releases given to Ahmad, Ayoob and Morteza. Guard them, guide them and sustain them daily with Your grace. Use them to love their enemies and bless those who persecute them. As the three men continue to work in the prison factory, fill them with Your peace and use them to shine Your light and love to others who work there. For those who are still in prison, please wrap them in Your arms and let them feel Your presence. Speak to them tenderly and encourage them in the toughest hours. Make the way for their release, and use them as mighty lights for Your glory. Fill them with Your forgiveness and love, empower them with Your message of truth, and use them to draw many others to You. When they and other Christians are brought before the authorities and interrogated, give them the words to say. Shine so brightly through them their persecutors will tremble in fear of the Lord and be drawn to the glory of God reflected in their faces. Sustain every Christian in Iran, Lord. Lift them up to soar over every trial on Your Eagle wings. Be a Shield around them, hiding them from those who wish to do them harm, and give them favor with all their neighbors and those in authority. Bring to them those who are seekers, longing to know the God of Love in the midst of so much hatred and violence their culture has known. Help believers know who is truly seeking You and who is placed there to spy on the church. Hide every underground gathering of believers from those who wish to do them harm, but make those churches easy to find for seekers who truly want to know You. Grow Your church in Iran by the thousands, even millions. Awaken every heart to hunger for You, Lord. May Your Kingdom come to every village, home, people group and heart. Visit the lost in their dreams to tell them who You are. Don’t let even one more person die without hearing the truth about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. May they know once and for all that You alone are the Way, the Truth and the Life. In Your name. Amen.
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