Iranian Christians request prayer for Christian convert Reza Zaeemi, 40, from Karaj who turned himself in at Karaj Central Prison on 2 June to start serving a nine-month sentence.
In November 2020, Reza was arrested by plainclothes security agents. He was blindfolded, handcuffed, and interrogated for four hours, then held in a detention centre belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and in Ghezel Hesar Prison for a total of 17 days before being released on bail.
On 25 January Reza was sentenced to 18 months in prison for
Source: Middle East Concern
“propaganda against the Islamic Republic by promoting evangelical Christianity.”
He was also given a two-year travel ban. On 25 April, the conviction was upheld, but the prison sentence reduced to nine months.
According to human rights organisation Article Eighteen, Reza initially reported to prison at the end of May but there was no judge present to process his admission.
An Iranian pastor, who was himself imprisoned in Karaj Central Prison for several years, requests prayer for Reza, saying that especially during the first days of imprisonment there is significant mental pressure.
Let us pray.
- Ask the Lord to strengthen and encourage Reza as he adjusts to his new situation in prison.
- Pray the Lord will protect Reza from harm and evil; ask Him to give Reza the physical, emotional and spiritual strength he needs.
- Pray Reza will be given opportunities to be a witness to the other prisoners and guards. Pray he may have the blessing of seeing His Holy Spirit at work while in prison.
May God be your constant companion. There will e dark moments. Do not despair. He will never leave or forsake you. The time will come. you will be free. Help others. Blessed are you. Matthew 5. With love and prayers. You are not forgotten.
Lord, let Reza sense and know your presence closer than ever. Give him a joy of being counted worthy to suffer for the Name of the Lord. Also, we still ask for a miracle as per his release in Jesus Name.
Yes Holy Spirit comfort him. Guid him and strengthen him.
Praying for you Reza
Lord God, Reza needs your special strength and ministry at this difficult time after committing his life to Jesus. Please protect him from evil and give him the strength to endure.
Since he is in prison, please, in your mercy open many opportunities for him to witness to other prisoners, guards and prison staff. Strengthen him by your Spirit.
O Creator God of all the universe, we thank you for your compassionate and just rule in all things. We pray to you blessed Lord Jesus Christ who intercedes for your people. We call upon you Holy Spirit to fill your Christ’s people in Iran and witness to the Gospel by your power. We ask you Lord Jesus to strengthen and encourage Reza as he adjusts to his new situation in prison. We pray Father that you will protect Reza from harm and evil and ask that you give Reza the physical, emotional and spiritual strength he needs. Holy Spirit help Reza to be given opportunities to be a faithful witness to the other prisoners and guards and pray that he may have the blessing of seeing YOU at work while in prison. May Psalm 3Vs5 and 8 be Reza experience. To God be the Glory.
5 I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me…
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for Reza’s beautiful example of faithfulness to You in a nation where it is so dangerous to share the gospel.
Lord I join hands with Reza’s brothers and sisters in Christ, who are lifting him up to You in prayer. I pray that You will fill him with Your Spirit Lord and strengthen him in every way, as he adjusts to prison life. Protect him Lord, from harmful thoughts. Remind him Lord, You will never leave him nor forsake him and that his rewards in heaven will far outweigh his suffering.
Thank you Lord that his sentence was reduced.
During his time in prison Lord I pray that you would give him opportunities to witness to others. I pray that You will soften hearts to the message of the gospel and that Your goodness and grace will flow through Reza. Because of where You put him at this particular time and because of his obedience to You, I pray that people will be pointed to Christ and seeds of faith will be planted. In the midst of his suffering, I pray that You would enable Him to see Your hand at work in amazing ways.
In Jesus’ powerful name pray. Amen.
Gracious Lord,
Your comfort, peace and strength for Reza. May your Holy Spirit fill his heart with your life giving word to meditate on night and day. Amen.
I praise you Lord for the work that you continue to do amongst the oppression in Iran. I especially pray for Reza, thanking you for his bravery, and encourage him to stronger faith if he is persecuted in prison.
Especially protect him while in prison and give him many opportunities with prisoners, guard and other staff to share his faith in Jesus.
By your Holy Spirit, grant him solace and mercy as you encourage him in his faith.
do you have an address for him? so we could write him a letter of encouragement?
Hello Mary,
Thank you for your interest in writing to imprisoned brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, we do not have his address. Please visit https://www.prisoneralert.com/vompw_prisoners.html to find a list of prisoners that you are able to write to.
Blessings,