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Following a huge prayer campaign for Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor accused of apostasy by converting from Islam; (See Prayer Alert 4710) the Supreme Court has annulled the death sentence, however they sent the case back to the court in his hometown demanding that Youcef repent. For the past ten years Nadarkhani has been a pastor in a network of house churches. Millions of Christians from around the world have been praying for the death sentence to be overturned, at the moment it is just been negated on some technicalities. A Truth Ministries report (http://www.presenttruthmn.com) states it is not all good for the pastor. There are some mixed messages on the verdict. Typically the Supreme Court either upholds or annuls a sentence. His attorney said, ‘We need to continue the pressure through the power of the prayers of the saints. God is moving in hearts, let's continue to earnestly pray.’
Pray: that Yousef experiences the presence and peace of Jesus daily and for Iranian Christians not to be intimidated by events. (Pr.28:10)
According to ww.presenttruthmn.com, the official death sentence verdict has now been delivered in writing to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, stating that he is to be hung for the crime of apostasy. There are 20 days to appeal the verdict, and Youcef’s attorney is now beginning the process of the appeal. The prayer burdens surrounding this development are many, - that God would grant him peace in this hour, that God would move on his behalf, and that he would be delivered! Pray also for his wife and children at this extremely difficult time; a spokesman for Truth Ministries said, ‘We trust our great Lord to give her the peace that comes only from the True Comforter.’ Pray: for Pastor Youcef and other Christians in prison for their faith to be daily strengthened. (Jas. 5:16)
In July we prayed for poverty stricken Iranians abandoning traditional eating habits which were too expensive; and for shortages of medicines because of sanctions. The crisis is worsening. The currency plunged to less than two-thirds of where it stood a week ago. Iranian authorities are blaming (and threatening) currency speculators. Iranians say the government is at fault. This week a petition of 10,000 names was addressed to Iran’s labour minister amid wide-reaching public outcries over the economy, and alleged Government mismanagement. Some are saying a Tahrir-style uprising could erupt in Tehran in the run-up to the presidential elections next summer, and Khamenei is considering a constitutional change to cancel the office of ‘president’. Meanwhile Mohammad Ali Dadkhah begin a nine-year prison sentence at Evin prison on trumped-up charges. He was Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s lawyer. Mohammad Ali Dadkhah co-founded Iran’s Center for Human Rights Defenders (CHRD). Several other leaders of congregations remain behind bars and need advocacy. See:
Pray: that the people of Iran would experience a better quality of life physically, emotionally and spiritually. Pray for true law and order in Iran and for God’s comfort, provision and protection for the Iranian church. (Tit.3:1-2)
More: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/irans-economy-sours-currency-plunges-as-sanctions-bite/article4581735/
Last week five members of the Church of Iran were sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for ‘Crimes against the Islamic Order’. They have 20 days to appeal. The five have spent eight months in Shiraz prison for apostasy, political meetings, blasphemy and crimes against the Islamic Order. Four charges were dropped and they were released on bail last month. Most of the group have been in cycles of 'detention and release' by the authorities for a number of years and some have suffered severe levels of torture during previous detentions. In the period between his arrest and late November Pastor Sadegh-Khanjani was held in solitary confinement, given access to his attorney only once and is unwell due to unhygienic conditions and beatings. Pastor Sadegh-Khanjani from Tehran was arrested three times in four years for his faith. Pray: God’s presence will surround Iran’s persecuted Christians and that He would influence decisions made concerning their future. (Ps.140:12) More: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=press&id=1126&search=
On Wednesday, possibly referring to a loophole in the deal with the West, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that no new nuclear fuel will be produced, no new components will be installed, but the Islamic Republic will press on with building at a heavy-water reactor despite an agreement with Western powers to halt activity. The uncompleted heavy-water research reactor emerged as one of several crucial issues in negotiations in Geneva when Iran agreed with six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme for six months in return for limited sanctions relief. Experts have said an apparent gap in the text could allow Tehran to build components off-site to install later in the nuclear reactor. It was not immediately clear if Zarif was referring to this or other construction activity. The West believes the reactor would produce plutonium, one of two materials, along with enriched uranium, that make the fissile core of a nuclear bomb.
Pray: that the Lord would reign over Iran’s leaders causing them to move forward with honest and honourable communication and action. (Ps.83:18)
More: http://www.jpost.com/Iranian-Threat/News/Iran-Construction-will-continue-at-Arak-nuclear-site-333166
Last month President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boycotted public duties for eight days after Supreme Leader Khamenei vetoed his sacking of the Intelligence Minister (an ally of the supreme leader). The clash over controlling the intelligence ministry triggered conservative backlashes against the president that show little sign of abating. Under Iranian law, the president has the right to dismiss ministers. But Khamenei is Iran's ultimate wielder of power. Conservative parliamentarians have warned Ahmadinejad he could face impeachment if he refused to obey Khamenei. The votes of at least one third of parliament's 290 lawmakers are required for impeachment of the president. The head of the Revolutionary Guard (who reports directly to the supreme leader) warned, ‘Certain people within the regime have forgotten the values of revolution and seek to misrepresent Islam. People do not follow demons or jinns, and will not tolerate such deviance.’ The conservative parliament has opposed the government frequently in recent months and launched a petition demanding that Ahmadinejad come before parliament to explain his behaviour.
Pray: for a Holy Spirit awakening and spiritual revolution over and throughout Iran. (Ep.5:14)
Nineteen year old Daniel was arrested during a raid on his home by security agents acting on the orders of the revolutionary court and then released on bail. He is accused of blasphemy and spreading Christian propaganda and faces possible further court proceedings. His personal electronic items and books were confiscated in the raid. Daniel had been present at the arrest on 28th February of Hamid and Reyhaneh, who remain detained. Also Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to their court hearing to face charges of propagating Christianity and apostasy, but were told more time was needed to consider their case and they were sent home. Both women are frail after being held for eight months in Evin Prison, notorious for treating women badly. These and similar ordeals are a grave test for the endurance of our Iranian brothers' and sisters' endurance.
Pray: for God to give Daniel, Maryam, Marzieh, Reyhaneh and Hamid a sense of His presence and peace in their minds and hearts; and for officials involved to love mercy and act justly. (Ps.54:7)
More: http://www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_news_item&cause_id=1489&news_id=86114
An Iranian high court has upheld the prison sentences of four Christians for converting to the faith from Islam. The decision means Pastor Farhad Sabokrooh, of the Iranian Assemblies of God, his wife Shahnaz Jayzan, and church workers NaserZaman-Dezfuli and Davoud Alijani have had to return to jail. They were arrested in December 2011 after their church in the southern town of Ahwaz was raided by authorities during Christmas celebrations. They were sentenced to one year in prison for ‘converting to Christianity and propagating against the Islamic regime through evangelism’. They were temporarily released but were summoned to court on 1 May and re-arrested. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has observed a crackdown on Christians since last December. Two other AoG pastors, Farshid Fathi and Saeed Abedini, are being held in Evin prison along with Church of Iran member Alireza Seyyedian and Mostafa Bordbar, who was arrested in Tehran in December.
Pray: for these and the many others who have been jailed for exercising their right to change their religion and follow Christ privately and in communion with others. (in breach of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Iran is obliged uphold). (Ps.142:6-7)
More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.returned.to.jail.in.iran/32448.htm
‘Evangelical Christians in Iran fear a massive crackdown by security forces around Christmas and Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani may be executed earlier than authorities suggest’, said Firouz Khandjani a council member of the pastor's Iranian Church. Iran's judiciary uses the Christmas time to detain and harass Christians thinking the world may forget the believers as everyone is busy with Christmas shopping. He warned that official suggestions that Pastor Nadarkhani's execution for abandoning Islam would be postponed may be a trap to confuse the international community. Last week observers close to the case said judges were ordered to ‘do nothing’ for one year - however Firouz Khandjani stressed ‘It has become clear that Iran's government may want to execute him earlier and saying he will be held one year more does not necessarily mean an earlier execution isn't possible.’
Pray: for Pastor Youcef to be continually aware of God's presence and protection and for Iranian Christians to know the fullness of Christ’s peace and joy at this time. (Ps.146:7-9)
What can be concluded from increased cyber-attacks on Mohabat News website is its effectiveness in spreading news and influence across the Iranian community. However, it seems that along with development of technology, Christian persecution, especially the persecution of Iranian Christians by the Islamic regime of Iran and Islamists, has adopted a new shape and form, reports Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News. Mohabat News is a key voice of the Farsi-speaking Christian community, launched on December 9, 2010 with the primary objective of disseminating news on Christians all around the world in both Farsi and English. The website, however, was blocked by the Islamic regime's security officials two months after it was launched. Since then many attempts have been undertaken to silence Mhabat News, three of these attempts by the cyber services staff of the Islamic Republic.
Pray: that the voice for Farsi-speaking Christians will not be silenced but be set free. (1Cor.2:13)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue17616.html