News / Thoughts

Iranian Christian leader freed!

Great news! Saeed Abedini has been released from prison!

Saeed, an Iranian believer from a Muslim background who also has American citizenship, had been imprisoned since September 2012. He was serving an eight year prison sentence on charges of undermining national security, due to his involvement with house churches. During his time in prison, he suffered serious health issues, physical and verbal abuse and received death threats on account of his faith in Christ.

Saeed was released on 16 January as part of a prisoner exchange between America and Iran that also saw the release of three other Iranian-Americans: Jason Rezaian, Amir Hekmati and Nosratollah Khosravi.

Saeed’s wife, Naghmeh, expressed her joy and surprise at the news of his release and thanked the many people around the world who had been interceding for Saeed and his family.

Pray now…

• That Saeed and his family will be reunited soon and will know God’s strength in the necessary adjustments
• That Saeed will quickly recover from his prison ordeal and find strength in God
• For other Christians detained in Iranian prisons to be encouraged and released soon
• For the witness of Saeed and other imprisoned believers to speak to all officials involved.