Martyrdom & persecution for believing in the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ have been something that much of the world faces...but we in the Western world have felt little true obstacles in the way of our faith. Oh yes, they refuse to allow our children to pray in school, & some towns are being forced to take down the 10 Commandments on their courthouse lawn, but I am speaking of true brutal persecution...I am speaking of death. There are some brave souls, some selfless believers, who have been called to be Jesus in places that want nothing to do with Him. There are disciples of every race, ethnicity, & creed bleeding & dying so that He might be known. Friends, we here, know little of true persecution, but the day is coming in which that might no longer be the case.What I am about to share with you might not impact you this very day, but it might one day be the fate your child or your grandchild. The Lone Ranger shared something with me that has been deeply on my heart & in my mind, & I wanted to share it with you...
There is a man by the name of Pastor Saeed Abedini. This man is standing trial in Iran before the infamous 'Hanging Judge'. This man's crime is undermining the Iranian government by way of spreading the gospel of Jesus. This man is an American Citizen...and our state department is doing nothing...NOTHING to spare his life. In the past Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Obama, & his Press Secretary have spoken out to save the life of an Iranian pastor, but in the case of this American Citizen they are silent. The State Department has expressed serious concerns for this man's fate, yet they have not spoken out on his behalf, they have not petitioned to have him returned to U.S. soil...they are watching this man on his death march. Pastor Saeed has been 'on trial'...a true sham. He was given less than 24hrs with a lawyer to plan a defense. His bail was approved & then denied multiple times. This man will very likely die...die in the name of Jesus. He has 2 small children. His wife spoke on radio & shared how her husband used to play worship & sing his daughter to sleep each night. She tells of how that tiny girl now plays worship & cries herself to sleep each night. Pastor Saeed has a young son who is too small to even understand where his daddy is or the terror that is taking place within a cell. Friends, Sisters & Brothers, Please, Please, Please pray for Pastor Saeed. His sentence will be given out within a weeks time. It is very likely that this brother of ours will lose his life. Now we know if this happens that he walk into Glory. I am asking you to pray specifics for this man. Pray for release so that he might be granted life, life with his wife & children. Pray for strength in the face of the brutal abuse he is enduring. Pray for Grace & Peace if his fate is to die. My very heart is that Jesus would meet him in that last moment if that is what is to come. This story has brought to mind anew how very fragile a line we walk. It has brought to mind a new a hope that my faith would be strong enough to endure. Sisters & Brothers, I can not help but wonder if our government is refusing to save this man, this American man, where are things headed for us here? As I have said this might never directly impact us, but it very well could. Are we ready? Are we genuine in our belief? Are we fervent enough? Are we bold enough? Are we willing?
I have attached the links from the American Center for Law & Justice below that better describe in depth all that is going on with Pastor Saeed. I am petitioning you, begging you, this day to intercede on his behalf...to have his name upon your hearts & lips...that he might be ever before Abba....
http://aclj.org/iran/state-department-white-house-spoke-out-pastor-youcef-why-not-american-pastor-saeed
http://aclj.org/iran/pastor-saeeds-wife-shares-story-christian-radio
http://aclj.org/iran/jay-sekulow-american-pastor-saeed-shut-out-of-iranian-trial
http://aclj.org/iran/american-pastor-barred-iranian-trial-address-bogus-charges
http://aclj.org/iran/pastor-saeed-trial-iran-uphold-obligations-protect-religious-liberty
http://aclj.org/iran/white-house-no-statement-trial-american-citizen-iran
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