Pray

Ismaeil Maghrebinejad,  a 65 year old convert from a muslim background, has been sentenced to three years in prison for insulting ‘Islamic sacred beliefs’.[1]  He also faces charges of acting against national security.

Ismaeil like other Iranian believers have suffered repeated harassment from the government and wider society.  About ten years ago Ismaeil was attacked and narrowly survived.

Please pray for Ismaeil and his family that they would know God’s comfort and help at this time and that these charges against him would be dropped: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’.

[1] www.opendoorsuk.org

In Iran it seems there is a ‘forced exodus of Christians as the government acts to exterminate the Persian speaking church.’[1]

Officials aim to eradicate Christianity from the land by arresting house church leaders who are involved in teaching and evangelism.  Reports have shown that often ‘when a muslim is baptised as a Christian they can spend up to a year in prison while the person conducting the baptism can face up to five years imprisonment.’[2]

Many believers have sought asylum in the West but have frequently been refused.  In spite of this, Christianity is growing.

[1] www.releaseinternational.org

[2] www.releaseinternational.org

In 2015 a group of Christian converts were arrested in Busheher city, a port in southwest Iran.  A case has recently been opened again regarding twelve who have been arrested for forming house churches.

Amongst those arrested were Shapur Jozi and his wife Parastoo Zariftash accused of promoting propaganda against the Iranian Regime.  Their case is currently under review, please pray for them during this difficult time.[1]

[1] www.mohabatnews.com

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani has been detained in Evin prison following a violent raid on his home in Rasht by police on 22^nd July.  Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported that ‘police smashed the front door, punched the pastor and his teenaged son Daniel, and used electrical batons on them despite the fact that they were offering no resistance’.[1]

The pastor was at home on bail awaiting a summons to return to prison following the failure in May of an appeal against his conviction and that of four fellow church members.

Pray that God would protect and strengthen them and their families and that the Government would be led to protect the freedom of religion to Christians: ‘This is my comfort in my affliction.  For your word has given me life’ Ps 119v50.’

[1] www.csw.org

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has reported that Mohammadali Yassaghi an Iranian Christian was released from prison on 25^th June.  The verdict was delivered at a court hearing where the presiding judge dismissed the charges against him.

Mohammadali was arrested on 10^th April 2018: the ’52-year-old father of three was accused of spreading propaganda against the establishment’[1].

[1] www.csw.org