PRAY for Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, a faithful man of God facing execution for his faith in Iran. What a devout servant of the Lord to refuse to recant his beliefs – we are with him in prayers, support. To Iran…the USA, the whole world, is watching you now.
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” – 2 Thessalonians 1: 3-7
From Sojourners:
This just in from the White House Press Office, an official statement on the plight of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has been sentenced to die by Iranian authorities unless he disavows his Christian faith:
“The United States condemns the conviction of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. Pastor Nadarkhani has done nothing more than maintain his devout faith, which is a universal right for all people. That the Iranian authorities would try to force him to renounce that faith violates the religious values they claim to defend, crosses all bounds of decency, and breaches Iran’s own international obligations. A decision to impose the death penalty would further demonstrate the Iranian authorities’ utter disregard for religious freedom, and highlight Iran’s continuing violation of the universal rights of its citizens. We call upon the Iranian authorities to release Pastor Nadarkhani, and demonstrate a commitment to basic, universal human rights, including freedom of religion.”
Read the full story here: http://blog.sojo.net/2011/09/29/christian-pastor-faces-execution-in-iran-updates/