Iranian Christians request prayer for Christian converts Homayoun Zhaveh and his wife Sara Ahmadi who are expecting to be summoned to serve prison sentences on account of their house church activities.
Homayoun, who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease, was holidaying with his wife and some friends in Amol on the Caspian Sea in June 2019 when they were arrested by intelligence agents.
After questioning, the other Christians were released, but Homayoun and Sara were detained, first in Amol, and then in Evin Prison in Tehran.
Source: Middle East Concern
Homayoun was released after a month, but Sara was held for 67 days, 33 in solitary confinement, and subjected to severe psychological abuse.
In November 2020 Homayoun and Sara were sentenced to two and eleven years’ prison respectively for house church membership and leadership. In addition, they are banned from foreign travel or membership of any social or political group for two years after their release, as well as required to perform six months’ community service at a centre for the mentally disabled.
Homayoun and Sara’s lawyer stated,
“My clients have always insisted that they haven’t engaged in any actions against national security, nor do they harbour any animosity or hostility towards the government.”
0n 30 December Sara’s prison term was reduced to eight years on appeal but the other sentences were upheld.
On 14 March they were notified their case had been forwarded to the government department responsible for enforcing sentences and they may be summoned at any time to serve the prison sentences.
Let us pray.
- Ask God to strengthen and encourage Homayoun and Sara at this difficult time. Pray they will not despair but will look to the Lord and trust in his purposes.
- Pray for Homayoun’s poor health and ask that he may have access to the medical treatment he requires. Pray they will both experience the Lord’s presence at this time.
- Thank the Lord for the growth of the Iranian church and the bold witness of many believers.
Lord we pray for strength and courage for this couple as they face their sentences. We ask that Hayoum would be able to have his medicine and that Sara would not be put into solitary confinement. We pray for guards who would treat them with kindness amen.
Phillipians 4:4-8 is a very good & encouraging verse to memorize.
Our prayers are with you Brother & Sister in Christ Jesus.
May the lord give you massive strength beyond what is humanly possible and to trust in Him and to know his presence with you. We pray that this send it will not be carried out.
Lord, please watch over Sara and her husband as they suffer persecution for following you. Please soften the heart of the judge who sentenced them and lead him or her to saving faith in you. I pray that Sara and her husband’s sentences will be overturned and that they will be declared innocent and set free. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Almighty God, you have at your disposal as the Lord of Hosts, armies of angels to defend your people and bring justice to our brothers and sisters in Iran. We thank you for the enduring faith and courage of Homayoun and Sara at this difficult time and ask that you might strengthen and encourage their faith by the power of your Spirit and minister to them through your angels. We pray that they will not despair but will look to you and your providential hand and trust in your good and loving purposes. We also plead for Homayoun and ask for help regarding his poor health, that he may have access to the medical treatment he requires. We thank you Lord for the growth of the Iranian church and the bold witness of many believers. May your Gospel make progress and reach the highest levels of government and religious authorities that revival will come to this darkened land. Glory be to God on High and praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ.