A sharp increase in violence against Christians worldwide brings renewed urgency to the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Associated Press/Photo by Bikas Das
When Iranian authorities released condemned pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from prison on Sept. 8, Mervyn Thomas of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) compared the moment to an account in Acts 12: As church members prayed for Peter’s release from jail, the apostle (delivered by an angel) suddenly knocked on the door. The Christians were so surprised they nearly didn’t answer.
“I believe it’s no coincidence that Pastor Nadarkhani was released as people around the world were praying for him,” Thomas told supporters. “What a result … and such an unexpected one at that!”
The unexpected result evoked celebration around the world for the 32-year-old pastor, husband, and father of two sons. Nadarkhani had spent more than 1,000 days in a prison in Rasht, and faced a death sentence for apostasy against Islam. Millions supported him through a Twitter campaign, and Christians worldwide prayed for his freedom.
In a letter published 11 days after his release, Nadarkhani thanked supporters and assured them: “The Lord has wonderfully provided through the trial. … As the Scripture says: ‘He will not allow us to be tested beyond our strength.’”
Less than 130 miles away, another Iranian pastor faces a severe test of strength: Behnam Irani, 41, is serving six years in a prison in Karaj for so-called actions against the state. His alleged crimes include pastoring a group of converts and sharing his Christian faith with Muslims.
The pastor is languishing. In mid-August, CSW reported that Irani was suffering from severe bleeding due to a stomach ulcer and a colon disorder. Sources told the group that prison authorities beat the pastor during the early days of his imprisonment, and that he now struggles to walk.
Read more at - http://www.worldmag.com/2012/10/not_forsaken
“I believe it’s no coincidence that Pastor Nadarkhani was released as people around the world were praying for him,” Thomas told supporters. “What a result … and such an unexpected one at that!”
The unexpected result evoked celebration around the world for the 32-year-old pastor, husband, and father of two sons. Nadarkhani had spent more than 1,000 days in a prison in Rasht, and faced a death sentence for apostasy against Islam. Millions supported him through a Twitter campaign, and Christians worldwide prayed for his freedom.
In a letter published 11 days after his release, Nadarkhani thanked supporters and assured them: “The Lord has wonderfully provided through the trial. … As the Scripture says: ‘He will not allow us to be tested beyond our strength.’”
Less than 130 miles away, another Iranian pastor faces a severe test of strength: Behnam Irani, 41, is serving six years in a prison in Karaj for so-called actions against the state. His alleged crimes include pastoring a group of converts and sharing his Christian faith with Muslims.
The pastor is languishing. In mid-August, CSW reported that Irani was suffering from severe bleeding due to a stomach ulcer and a colon disorder. Sources told the group that prison authorities beat the pastor during the early days of his imprisonment, and that he now struggles to walk.
Read more at - http://www.worldmag.com/2012/10/not_forsaken
