UPDATE December 8: Pastor Behnam is being allowed to defend himself again in court on Tuesday, December 9th! (This will be at about midnight either tonight or tomorrow night for those in the United States. It was unclear whether the hearing was midnight Tuesday for us, and therefore Wednesday in Iran, or Tuesday in Iran and midnight on Monday for us. Confusing, I know.) Either way, please pray for wisdom for him that the Holy Spirit would give him the exact words to say in his defense. Please also pray that God would touch the heart of the judge and everyone involved, that Behnam’s sentence would be dropped, and even that he’d be released so he can go back to his family! Thank you! It is also believed that Pastor Haghnejad and Deacon Rabbani will also be given the opportunity to defend themselves tomorrow (although this hasn’t been confirmed), so please pray for them and their release as well.
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
UPDATE December 7: Pastor Behnam’s (as well as two other Christian’s [Pastor Haghnejad and Deacon Rabbani]) appeal hearing was held on Monday, December 1st, but so far we don’t know the results of the trial. Please continue to pray that the sentences against these three Christians would be dropped, in accordance with God’s will. Even if the court has already made the decision to uphold the sentences, God is fully able to cause the sentences to be dropped. (All three men were sentenced to six years in prison, with Pastor Behnam receiving his six-year sentence on top of another six-year sentence, which he is currently serving.) And, of course, prayers for the families of the men as well. All three are married, and I believe Pastor Behnam and Deacon Rabbani have children.
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
From Present Truth Ministries (http://presenttruthmn.com/blog/iran/appeal-pending-for-pastor-behnam-irani/):
“In September the Iranian Revolutionary Court handed down an additional six year prison sentence for Pastor Behnam Irani, of Karaj, Iran. This is for the same crime that he is currently serving a prison sentence of five years (six years in total with two separate sentences). If the appeal is rejected this sentence will take him to a very dangerous prison near the Afghan and Pakistani border 45 hours away from Karaj by bus.
Though the current situation seems bleak our sources are reporting that the faith of the pastor and his family remain strong. They have committed themselves to God trusting that he will grant them peace and strength to go through any trial for the name of Jesus Christ.
Their lives are truly an inspiration to all of us and their story is one that should be told around the world.”
Rach's Thoughts 
Reblogged this on Paradigm Transformation and commented:
Please pry for Pastor Behnam Irani and his family.
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When I read your blog it makes my life struggles seem trivial. I will be praying for Christians in this region & the advancement of the kingdom!
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Definitely. Being stuck in traffic or having to wait in line at the grocery store doesn’t seem like such a bother, compared to what Christians in the Middle East are going through!
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umm double jeopardy?
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Fascinating read. A lot of this stuff is grossly under-reported.
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Which is exactly why I try to bring this stuff to light. 🙂 Thanks for reading! I encourage you to share it with others to raise awareness.
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Found you on community blog and I enjoy the “news” type of feel to your blog, the theme suits it well and everything seems easy to navigate. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
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No, that’s great. Thanks for the positive feedback. 🙂
I think your theme works with what you’re blogging about. I would suggest adding the widget that allows people who aren’t on WordPress to follow your blog via email. And perhaps one that lists your recent comments or posts. 🙂 Just a suggestion. Let me know if you don’t know how to do this (no offense intended), and I’d be happy to let you know how. 🙂
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No offence taken, I actually have no clue how to do those things
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WordPress just updated for me (and hopefully for you too so we’re both on the same page.)
1. Click on My Sites on the top left.
2. Scroll down and click on Customize on the left side.
3. Click on Widgets on the right side.
4. Click on Sidebar on the right side.
From there you can click +Add a Widget to search through the available widgets and add the ones you want! 🙂 Let me know if this works for you. You can even customize some of the widgets. For example, if you were to add the widget that allows people who aren’t on WordPress to follow you via email, you could customize your widget to say “Follow me!” or whatever you want. 🙂
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Thank you so much, I’m trying to figure out all that stuff now.
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Sure. Let me know if you have any more questions!
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Will pray!
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Thank you so much! This is exactly why I post updates like this. Thanks again, and I encourage you to share about Pastor Behnam! 🙂
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Found you on the community blog …. I love the simplicity! And then your contents…I surely would put them in prayers…God help us all.
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Thank you! A quick update on Silas Rabbani and Matthias (Matt) Haghnejad – they both were released! There’s no news on Pastor Behnam’s appeal yet, but I’m praying he too would be released! Thank you for your prayers!
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Wow! Great news! God be praised….he shall do the same for pastor Behnam in jesus name! Amen.
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I hope so!
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