We support people who are beaten, tortured, laughed at, imprisoned, falsely accused, disowned, ignored and hated simply for following Jesus.
News / Thoughts
Updates, ideas, reflections and articles from Open Doors and our friends
Words of hope from prison
Over the summer at events like Soul Survivor hundreds of you prayed for Pastor Behnam Irani and wrote him a note of encouragement. He is currently imprisoned in Rajaei Shahr Prison in Iran for his faith in Jesus. He recently sent this message to close supporters:
I have decided to keep my faith in our Lord and stay in prison. Jesus said: if you love your life more than me then you do not deserve me.
“This is Pastor Behnam from Iran. I am serving my 6 year prison sentence, on charges of my belief in Jesus Christ and evangelising the kingdom of God. It is a great privilege to talk to my beloved family in Jesus.
“Many of my cellmates in prison ask me why I am paying such a huge price for my belief in Jesus Christ. They ask me why I don’t just deny my belief and go back to my wife and children? I then ask myself: what cost did the Lord pay to save me, and to transfer me from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light? The death of Jesus Christ on the cross, blood of the Lamb of God! Yes this is a huge price. Therefore I am also able to prefer prison over being set free. I have decided to keep my faith in our Lord and stay in prison. Jesus said: if you love your life more than me then you do not deserve me.
“I encourage you to understand the value of your faith. We have received salvation for free but remember it was not free. God paid for it. He sacrificed his beloved Son Jesus Christ. Remember that there is only one way to God and Jesus told us about it:
“‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14:6
“Let Jesus have access to all parts of your life and allow him to be the Lord of your life. Try to become like the Son of God Jesus Christ and think and act like Him.
“‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.’ Galatians 2:20
God bless you. Amen.
Pastor Behnam Irani
Our writing campaign for Pastor Behnam has come to an end, but you can write to other Christians who need encouragement.
Please pray…
- That Pastor Behnam and his family will continue to know the love and presence of the Lord
- That Pastor Behnam will have courage as he continues to defend his faith in Jesus
- For justice and fair treatment for Pastor Behnam.
We support people who are beaten, tortured,
imprisoned, falsely accused, and hated simply for following Jesus.
