 Evin prison in Iran Photo: Flickr / sabzphoto |
July 23rd marked the 300th day of Pastor Saeed Abedini's imprisonment in Iran. According to Jordan Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice, it was nearly a year ago that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard raided the home of Pastor Saeed's parents in Tehran and imprisoned him. During his incarceration, he has been subjected to beatings which have caused internal injuries necessitating medical treatment.
On July 20th, 2013, he was taken to a private hospital in Tehran for treatment. For the first time, he was examined by a physician and prescribed medication for injuries sustained from the beatings he endured at the hands of prison guards. (On two past occasions, the 33-year-old believer had been taken to the local hospital only to be sent home without an examination or treatment for his injuries.)
Pastor Saeed's wife responded favourably to this positive update: "Thank you to all of the individuals who have prayed, written letters, signed petitions, called government officials, run benefit races, tweeted, and shared Saeed's story. Thank you to all the government officials from around the world who have stood for my husband. Iran has listened to your pleas."
While we can rejoice with Saeed's family over this positive turn of events, they still very much need our prayers. Ask that God's presence will continue to minister peace and comfort to Pastor Saeed and his concerned loved ones. May the Lord work out His good plans in each of their lives, using this time of trial to refine, purify, strengthen and ultimately bless them. Of equal importance is His work of salvation in the hearts of the prison guards, fellow prisoners and governmental authorities.
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