- Pastor Saeed is an American Citizen who was arrested in Iran the summer of 2012. He was a former Iranian Muslim, converted in 2000. In Iran, if you convert from Islam, you are legally not allowed to worship in established Christian churches, which resulted in many so-called, “house churches”.
- In 2000 Pastor Saeed met his wife, a Christian American citizen in Iran. The Abedini’s became prominent in the House Church moment, which was tolerated by the Iranian government at the time. During this time, they established 100 house churches in 30 Iranian cities with more than 2,000 members.
- With the election of Mahmoud Ahmedinejad in 2005, tolerance decreased and the Abedini’s left Iran and moved back to the U.S. It wasn’t until 2009 that Saeed went back to Iran to visit his family. At that time, he was arrested and threatened to be put to death when interrogated because of his conversion to Christianity.
- In 2008, Saeed became an ordained minister, living in Boise, Idaho. In 2010 he became an American Citizen, while carrying dual citizenship in Iran.
- June 2012 Pastor Saeed went to Iran to continue work on an orphanage in the city of Rasht. His passport was confiscated, he was placed on house arrest, and then was transferred to Evin Prison.
- January 2013 Pastor Saeed was sentence to eight years in prison. Fox News. He was sentenced for creating house churches and leading Iranian youth away from Islam.
- Last month, in the middle of the night, Pastor Saeed was secretly taken, without warning, to one of the most criminal prisons in Iran, Rajai Shahr. It’s a place were murderers and the worst of criminals are kept. Many die in these prisons, few live and are ever freed.
This month I am writing on JOY! You ask, what of JOY is there about a Christian being tortured in prison?
The answer? Everything! Did you get the part in the video about Pastor Saeed worshiping in prison? Yes, he is WORSHIPING! And if that is not joy….I don’t know what is!!
You know, as we delve into joy this season at Rich Faith Rising, we can look to Pastor Saeed as a great example. He knows most…
Yes, the world can take away our possessions. It can take away our houses…even our families. Our health can be lost, our physical security, our position…even our ability to have physical freedom can be robbed from us, but….
1) Contact your U.S. Senator:
http://www.senate.gov/
2) Contact the House of Representatives:
http://www.house.gov/
4) Sign a petition to free Pastor Saeed:
http://beheardproject.com/saeed
5) Join us today as we pray and fast for Pastor Saeed’s safety and freedom!
How would you respond if you were in prison for your faith? Would you praise Him?
5 Comments
Jen- this was so powerful- thanks for sharing. I subscribe to the site but have not seen this video- it stirs my heart to deep and heart-felt intercession, as it stirs yours.
Mary – Thank you for sharing! Yes, may we lay aside shopping, business, and all the things that seem so important during this season…and take some time to join together and pray for this persecuted man of God.
Hi Jen
I am moved by the story of this brave man and his family and will also pray for his release. But in the meantime we can ask Pappa to glorify His name though Pastor Saeed. I am sure that many a murderer and criminals are one day going to sit at the banquet table of Jesus rejoicing at the marriage feast of the Lamb. What you say is so true!! Before my illness, I was a very unhappy woman after many years of verbal and emotional abuse and physical neglect in my marriage, but Pappa used my illness to save my marriage and my husband and today we are happily married for nearly 28 years. I am now so filled with joy and peace despite my illness,
Blessings XX
Mia
Mia – You have an amazing testimony of how God uses the joy found in our present day “prison” to liberate not only us…but those around us! May He be glorified in it all! Blessings dear, dear sister!
This is a wonderfully heartfelt testimony to share.
I’m visiting today from Fun Friday. 🙂