Iranian Christians request prayer for Christian converts Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Fadaie, who have been given 10-year prison sentences for propagating house churches and promoting “Zionist Christianity”.
Yousef and Mohammadreza have also been sentenced to 2 years’ exile, Yousef in Nik Shahr and Mohammadreza in Borazjan – both of these locations are in the south of the country, far away from their families in Rasht.
The verdict was dated 24th June but was received by the lawyer for the four men on 6th July. The lawyer will appeal on their behalf, and the appeal must be lodged within 20 days of receipt of the verdict.
Yasser, Saheb and Mohammadreza were arrested on 13th May 2016 with their pastor, Yousef, as they were celebrating communion. Yasser, Saheb and Mohammadreza were also charged with consumption of alcohol because they drank communion wine, and on 10th September they were each sentenced to 80 lashes. Their appeal against the sentence of 80 lashes remains outstanding.
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Prayer points
Iranian Christians request prayer that:
a. the appeal against the verdict will be successful, and the four men will be acquitted
b. the sentence of 80 lashes will also be overturned
c. the Revolutionary Court and judges will stop intimidating Christian converts, and will respect the right of all in Iran to freedom of religion
d. all officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him
