Iranian Christian convert and prisoner, Nasser Navard Goltapeh, writes to fellow Christians and requests prayer.
Philippians 1:12: “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”
Nasser and three visitors from Azerbaijan were arrested on 24 June 2016 at a private gathering in Tehran. They were held in solitary confinement for two months in Evin Prison and endured intense interrogation.
Following a court hearing on 23 May 2017 Judge Mashallah Ahmadzadeh sentenced Nasser (and the Azerbaijani defendants in absentia) to 10 years in prison for “action against national security and establishing house churches”. The verdict was upheld in an appeal hearing on 12 November 2017 and Nasser started serving his sentence in Evin Prison on 20 January 2018.
In his letter dated 31 January, Nasser writes: “I am confident in all hardships and I believe I will become free by Him who I have hope to (my Lord) because the Lord our God does not forget his children ….. so let me be bold and say, “The Lord is my helper.””
“Remember me in your prayers always – you know that your prayers are a sweet smelling offering to God and a sacrifice which is accepted and pleasing to him.”
Nasser also requests prayer for his family to come to follow Jesus, for the Iranian people and the spread of the gospel. He challenges Christians to remain firm in their faith and to show concern for one another, not to give up meeting together and to work hard to spread the Gospel. Finally, he asks for prayer for the other Christians in prison.
Prayer Points
As requested by Nasser, please remember him in prayer and ask that:
- God will encourage and strengthen Nasser and all other Christian prisoners and that they will know His continued help
- Nasser’s family will respond to Jesus’ saving work on the cross
- God will bless the people of Iran and that the gospel will continue to advance, despite the many obstacles
- The Iranian authorities will halt their persecution of Christian converts and other religious minorities
