Thursday, February 23, 2012

Iran Pastor Facing Execution!


Iran pastor facing execution any day, but supporters still hopeful
Posted on Feb 23, 2012 | by Michael Foust


WASHINGTON (BP) -- The White House Thursday increased the international pressure on Iran to release a Christian pastor sentenced to death, as several reports seemed to confirm his execution order had been issued.
The pastor, Yousef (also spelled Youcef) Nadarkhani, was sentenced to death in 2010 for converting from Islam to Christian in a case that began in 2009.

The statement from the Obama administration is its strongest yet from the White House in Nadarkhani's case. 

"The United States stands in solidarity with Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all those who seek to practice their religion without fear of persecution -- a fundamental and universal human right," the statement read. "The trial and sentencing process for Pastor Nadarkhani demonstrates the Iranian government's total disregard for religious freedom, and further demonstrates Iran's continuing violation of the universal rights of its citizens. The United States calls upon the Iranian authorities to immediately lift the sentence, release Pastor Nadarkhani, and demonstrate a commitment to basic, universal human rights, including freedom of religion."  Click "Here" for the complete story.
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When part of the body of Christ is hurting, the whole body hurts.  Please pray for Pastor Yousef that the Lord will intervene and deliver him from his executioners.  Pray for comfort and peace for his family and friends.

12 comments:

Geoff Maritz said...

Praying now and as we all know, the prayer offered up in humility carries great power. Don't worry Yousef, my Christian friend, it will all turn out for the best. Blessings go out to you, Geoff.

Gospel Music Public Relations said...

thank you for this post. i haven't seen this in the news. i will share this info to unify in prayer!

Clint said...

I don't even want to say what I really think, except that there is great evil in the world that must be stamped out.

Donald Fishgrab said...

I am pleased to see Mr. Obama take this stand. Whether one is Christian or not the denial of people's right to make a choice as to what they believe ought to trouble people. Apparently the pro choice people are only pro choice in a few situations.

Amelia said...

Yes. Our family has been lifting our Brother up in fervent prayers!

It's so good to see you have posted this! My husband too has posted it and I've tweeted it as well.

This is such a burden on our hearts!

T Childs said...

This is awful for so many reasons; I suppose firstly because people should be allowed to believe what they want as long as it isn't harming anyone else, and it looks really bad for another reasons to threaten to execute someone for converting to Christianity; if they have to use that threat against someone I think it shows what shaky ground they are on.

The West is not perfect, not by a long shot in fact, but we do at least have freedoms that every normal person understands and respects; I sometimes think that people outside the West hate us not because we are decadent and so on, but because of a kind of jealousy.

In the UK there are many Muslims and they have the same right to believe and practise their faith as anyone else, which I think is fair and just. But this doesn't seem to be the case in many other countries around the world.

I hope this guy gets saved, and there is enough international outrage to stop his deeply unjust detention and threat of execution.

Ian Curtis said...

I've been keeping up with this story for several weeks now and he was scheduled for death; keep him in prayer, that God may be glorified in this situation and that His child may be delivered from this. Yousef was given the chance to recant his faith but refused; if execution is God's choice for how He brings this Christian home, remember Revelation 2:10. God give us the same resolve Yousef has in his faith. We're lifting him up in prayer.

Plant Seeds of Happiness said...

PRAYERS FOR SURE AND MY HE FIND COMFORT IN GOD'S WORD & LOVE.

Yay Padua-Olmedo said...

Nothing and no one can come against God's plan to save people from condemnation. May His grace,mercy, love and protection cover all who proclaim the gospel without reservation.

JT said...

Christians are suffering all over the world. I pray for their safety. God bless you.

Anonymous said...

I find that those who suffer such persecutions, asking for prayer, do not hear the heart cry of those who long to truly identify with such suffering knowing that they are the ones standing in the need of prayer. Oh Lord give us the burden of your very own heart, to pray for the lost and suffering, with knowledge and true compassion.
Thank you Lord for hearing our petitions, and knowing our hearts. amen.

Dee said...

Thank you for sharing this....we all need to be aware of brave Christians such as this pastor. May the good Lord put protection around him and send His peace to him.