Pray for a Church Leader forced into exile

After five years in prison, a 42 year old church leader in Iran thought that his sentence had come to an end. He was wrong.

Saheb’s ministry as a Christian church leader in Iran painted a target on his back. Iran is the number 8 country on the 2023 World Watch List, and following Jesus comes with significant risk. For Saheb, it meant being sentenced to five years of imprisonment – away from his wife Marjan and his daughter Marta. 

Eventually, Saheb secured bail and was pardoned. He thought his sentence had come to end, and on June 25 he traveled to the capital city of Tehran to finalize his bail documents. There, the authorities informed him that he had criminal activity remaining on his file that had gone unpunished – specifically “spreading propaganda against the regime”. 

Saheb received 50 lashes on the spot while Marjan was waiting for him outside.

Following the flogging, he was sentenced to two years of exile from his hometown. He was given only days to report to his exile location.

Saheb has chosen to leave his wife and their 16 year old daughter in their hometown so that they do not suffer the punishment with him. 

Pray

Please be in prayer for Saheb, Marjan, and Marta. Pray that God will give them patience and peace during this difficult time and that they might be miraculously reunited soon. 

Pray also for all the Christians in exile in Iran. They must endure separation from loved ones, live under social pressure and try hard to find a job in a difficult economy.

Pray that the Iranian government will stop the criminalization of Christian converts and other religious adherents who are not recognized by the state. Pray for more cooperation from the international community and more pressure from global human rights organizations around the world to help put an end to the injustice and violence taking place.

*representative image used