"Supporters of Christians in Iran observed two significant milestones this week—one discouraging and one encouraging.

"Two years ago, Idaho pastor Saeed Abedini made one of his frequent trips to Iran. A convert from Islam to Christianity, the Iranian-American citizen had been warned by the Muslim nation against his involvement with house churches, so he had returned instead to continue building a government-approved orphanage. While there, Abedini was pulled off a bus, charged with undermining national security, andsentenced to eight years in prison..."

"...Today more than 460 prayer vigils will be held in 30 countries and territories to draw more attention to his plight on the second anniversary of his imprisonment.

“'Pastor Saeed has become the face of the persecuted Christian church worldwide, one of many Christians around the world who face imprisonment, beatings and even death for their faith,” said Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ).

"However, Abedini is only one of at least 60 Christians in Iran—which contains between 200,000 and 750,000 Christians—currently in prison, according to Middle East Concern (MEC)..."

New Iran Bible Debuts As 460 Prayer Vigils Seek To 'Save Saeed'
by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra
Christianity Today

"Where does our faith come from? It comes from God, right?

"And if you’ve been keeping up with the story of Mariam Ibraheem, then you know what a testimony her story is to God’s providence in times of need.

"But Ibraheem’s story isn’t over, and neither is yours. The following is a letter from the executive director of Women for Middle East HOPE, an international initiative of SAT-7, a Christian Satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa.

     "Dear Friends,

     "...Mariam was interviewed by Fox News host Megyn Kelly for the first time since her release from prison in Sudan. We have been following Mariam’s story and praying for her ever since we learned that she was jailed solely because of her Christian faith. Mariam, the mother of a toddler, gave birth to her second child while in prison—with her ankles chained. When word of her mistreatment got out, Christians around the world rallied and prayed and called for her release. Finally, in June, a Sudanese Appeals Court made the decision to set her free..."

God's Not Done With Mariam Ibraheem
by Julie Oosterhouse
Mission Network News

"Naghmeh Abedini is inviting Christians around the world to band together on Sept. 26 in observance of the two-year anniversary of her husband Saeed Abedini’s sentencing to an Iranian prison, according to the Christian News Journal.  

“'I’m doing a prayer vigil on this day to remember Pastor Saeed and others who are imprisoned for Christ, but also as a chance to come together as the Body of Christ and see the move of God as we pray together,” she said in a video posted on the Be Heard Project’s website, an initiative of the American Center for Law and Justice.

“Please join me on this special day as we come together and pray...” 

Saeed Abedini's 2-Year Prison Anniversary Marked By Prayer Vigils
by Russ Jones
Christian Headlines

"Seasons are changing and summer's heat is passing, but forcibly displaced families in northern Iraq are worried because winter will soon bring bitter cold, and many of them may not survive.

"When Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) extremists forced them to flee their homes, some Iraqis were able to find refuge in schools, empty buildings, or apartment complexes. Many others, however, are exposed to the elements and will be in grave danger when wintertime temperatures drop into the teens.

"'Shelter is lacking or inadequate," Abraham Shepherd, who directs work in the Middle East for Baptist Global Response, said. "People are living in their cars, under doorsteps, in the open fields -- with mainly tarps covering them. People know winter will come quickly on them, and they need to be ready -- if ever you can be ready in those conditions...'"

N Iraq: Grave Danger As Winter Approaches
by Mark Kelly
Baptist Press

"Sudanese Christian Meriam Ibrahim has spoken out about the persecution and suffering she endured while imprisoned for her faith. Ibrahim was granted asylum in the United States in August, but spent months in prison for apostasy charges prior to her release into safety. 
 
"Though Ibrahim suffered in prison, and was even forced to give birth to her daughter in chains, she says that she knew God was with her. 
 
"'The situation was difficult but I was sure that God would stand by my side. I relied only on my faith and I knew that God would stand by me at any time, in any situation," Ibrahim said..." 

Meriam Ibrahim: I Knew God Would Stand By My Side
by Carrie Dedrick, Editor
Christian Headlines

"Pakistan has come under pressure to change controversial blasphemy laws as several Christians have been on death row.

"Among them is Asia Bibi, a jailed Christian mother of five who was was sentenced to death in November 2010. Her appeal hearing was postponed for the seventh time Tuesday, September 9, said Mushtaq Gill, the director of the Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD) group.

"The lawyer told BosNewsLife that the next hearing is now scheduled for next month, October 16. Bibi, a worker who reportedly spoke about Jesus Christ with colleagues, has denied wrongdoing..."

Please Pray

"The most common request of persecuted Christians is “PRAY FOR US.” One of the ways we answer their request is through participation in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), which we observe on the first Sunday of each November. Our goal is simple: We want EVERY CHURCH to “Remember them that are in bonds …” on IDOP Sunday (Heb. 13:3).

"We also want Christians worldwide to pray throughout the year for those who suffer because of their Christian witness.

"Watch VOM’s IDOP videos … share with your friends … and pray for the persecuted."

"This month's alert focuses on the case of Iranian Abdolreza Haghnejad, who has been charged with 'waging war against God.'  A crime of this nature is potentially punishable by death. Abdolreza was arrested at his home, along with two others from the same church, in July."
Release International