Thursday, September 26, could be the 1-year anniversary of the imprisonment of Saeed Abedini, the Iranian American Pastor held prisoner in the infamous Evin Prison outside of Tehran, Iran, for the crime of being a Christian. I say "could be", because many have been praying for his release, and if the Lord brings this about, we could well all be rejoicing on that day. Until then, I encourage all believers to lift up this brother and his family before the throne of grace. And not him alone, but all of the persecuted Church around the world.
Here in Iowa, there will be a prayer vigil on Thursday in Des Moines, at the State Capital Building on the Westside Steps from 1-2 PM. Click HERE for a link to an article by Saeed's wife on John Piper's "Desiring God" website. There are links near the bottom of the article on where you can locate prayer vigils throughout the US and the World.
What more can I add to what many have written? For us to live in Christ. Suffering for the name of Jesus is not foreign to the body Christ. Our brother is in the mighty hand of our Lord and our God, and it is to him that we cry, and may God's will be done in his life. And in ours....
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
John Newton, Amazing Grace, verse 3
"...and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Acts 5:40-41
1 Peter 4:12-14
Hebrews 13:3
John 16:33
2 Timothy 3:12
James 1:2-4
2 Corinthians 4:17
Romans 8:28
Mary and I are praying for Saeed over lunchtime....
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