[Today’s Prayer] Iranian pastor freed after being found not guilty of resisting Islam and obstructing it

According to Voice of the Martyrs Korea (VOM Korea), the 21st Division of the Iranian Appeals Court acquitted Pastor Anooshavan Avedian (62) of the charges on September 24 and ordered his immediate release.

Pastor Abedian was imprisoned on charges of “spreading propaganda against and disrupting the holy religion of Islam.” While he was incarcerated, VOM Korea asked for prayers for Pastor Abedian and to write letters of encouragement for Christian prisoners imprisoned for their faith.

“The released pastor said he is ‘not only happy and excited to be free, but he is doing well with his wife and two children,’” said Hyun Sook, representative of VOM Korea.

Pastor Abedian was arrested by Iranian security agents at his home on August 21, 2020, and has been imprisoned for 372 days. At the time of his arrest, he was gathered with several Christian friends for prayer and worship. Government agents confiscated his and two other Christians’ Bibles and mobile phones, and took them to Tehran’s Evin Prison, a place known for its harsh treatment of Christian prisoners. His two friends were released two days later, but he was held for 26 days and subjected to harsh interrogation.

On April 11, 2022, an Iranian court judge sentenced Pastor Abedian to 10 years in prison for engaging in “propaganda against and disrupting the holy religion of Islam,” and police ordered him to report to Evin Prison on September 18, 2023 to begin serving his 10-year sentence. He appealed to the Supreme Court for a retrial, but it was rejected.

“While Pastor Abedian’s release is an answer to prayer, Christian prisoners often need more prayer after they are released than while they are incarcerated,” said Hyun Sook Foley, the representative. “While Christians who are released from prison feel the Lord is very close to them, they often have a hard time returning to their daily lives once they are released, especially when they are under heavy surveillance by the authorities. We must pray that Pastor Abedian and his family will experience the Lord’s comfort and strong, safe presence and learn how to serve the Lord in the future.”

Source: Christian Today

for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:9-10)

Amen, we thank you, Lord, for giving us your eternal Word that cannot be bound.

God, we hear that Pastor Abedian of Iran, was recently released from prison after being imprisoned for holding worship and prayer meetings.

We thank you for granting him his freedom again and for the health of his family.

We are even more thankful that as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we will suffer together

We believe that he did not abandoned the faith, but have shared the glory of God by enduring to the end, holding on to the eternal word of God.

Lord, please raise up more Christians in Iran like Pastor Abedian to boldly proclaim Your Word and share in Your glory.

We also pray for Pastor Abedian and other Iranian Christians who have been released from prison, that Your perfect peace and comfort may rest upon them and their families.

May their lives be filled with the joyful sound of your praise more than ever before.

Show them the way forward and lead many to the right path.

Have compassion on the Iranian Christians who have not yet been released and who continue to hold fast to their faith, so that they can see closer to God.

Holy Spirit, protect the hearts of Iranian Christians who are still imprisoned, and let a joy never known before be flooded in their hearts.

Iranian Christians! Rise up, boldly proclaiming God!

Church of Iran, triumph to the end with the eternal Word of God!

Let Iran be a nation that partakes of the glory of God!

Be a people who proclaim the glory of the Lord to the nations!