Saeed Abedini

Saeed Abedini needs our prayers.  

In September, 2014, Saeed was imprisoned in his native Iran, ostensibly for undermining Iranian national security.  Saeed is an infidel of the worst kind - a convert to Christianity.  Although he was born and raised in Iran, Saeed’s home is now in Boise, Idaho, where Nagmeh, his wife of 12 years, grew up.  He is an ordained minister and pastor.  While in Iran to visit family and build an orphanage, Saeed was arrested, tried, and sentenced to eight years in prison.  He is now in a prison filled with violent criminals.  Among those criminals are members of the group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), now known as IS (Islamic State).  Although he is housed in a separate part of the prison from these men, Saeed has become fearful for his life, and believes that the ISIS prisoners plan to kill him because of his Christian faith.  This is just the latest issue he has faced in the two years of imprisonment.  He has been beaten over and over, and desperately needs medical attention because of this.  His contact with his family, both in Iran and the United States, has been severely limited.  Despite these conditions, Saeed has continued to serve God in an amazing way, as reports have come out about his witness to prisoners, some even coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

Saeed Abedini needs our prayers.  

Persecution against Christians is nothing new, and it shouldn’t surprise us.  Jesus warned His disciples that persecution would come.  He told them, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18).  He warned Peter “by what kind of death he would glorify God.” (John 21:19).  Jesus sent Ananias to the newly converted Paul with the message that Jesus “will show him how much he must suffer for My names’s sake.” (Acts 9:16).  The apostle James wrote, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3).  We have countless accounts throughout Christian history of faithful followers of Christ who were persecuted, many being put to death, because of their faith.  Even today we see wholesale persecution and killing of Christians in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of the world, all because they claim faith in Jesus Christ.  No, persecution of Christians is nothing new.  It has been happening for as long as there have been Christians, even when the faith was called “The Way”.  However, persecution rattles home a little louder when you can put a face to the action.  

Pastor Saeed, Nagmeh, Rebekka, and Jacob Abedini

Photo Credit - Joshua Springs Calvary Chapel, www.joshuasprings.org

Saeed Abedini needs our prayers!

The book of Acts tells of two instances where men were freed from prison by an act of God.  In chapter 12, Peter was arrested and put in prison, but then freed by an angel sent from God.  In chapter 16, Paul and Silas were jailed, but an earthquake shook the doors of the prison open and led to the conversion of the jailer and his family.  I believe that it will take a miracle of this type to free Saeed.  It is possible, but I believe unlikely, that he could serve his eight year sentence.  I believe it is much more likely that Saeed will be martyred barring miraculous intervention.  Regardless of the outcome, I am urging you to pray for God to give strength, comfort and peace to Saeed, his wife, and his children.  Whether he is released and comes home to Boise or dies in the Iranian prison, they all need to be lifted up by our prayers and by the heavenly Father who gave us our Savior.  Pray fervently for God to be glorified and the name of Jesus to be proclaimed and magnified.  Pray for all Christians around the world who are facing threats of any kind because of their faith.  Pray that God shows up, and shows off!

Saeed Abedini needs our prayers!

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