Derek Thornton

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Posts tagged prayer

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Are not we all prone to be a little cocky and think we can handle things just fine? But let some trouble come, and how quickly we sense our inadequacy. Trouble is one of God’s great servants because it reminds us how much we continually need the Lord.
Jim Cymbala

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God is not aloof. He is not disconnected. He says continually through the centuries, I’ll help you, I really will. When you don’t know where to turn, then turn to me. When you’re ready to throw up your hands - throw them up to me. Put your voice behind them too, and I’ll come and help you.
Jim Cymbala

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IRAN: NADARKHANI UPDATE

Iran’s Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, head of the judiciary, has ordered the judge presiding over Youcef Nadarkhani’s case to delay his written verdict for one year. The judge was specifically ordered to keep Nadarkhani in prison, using whatever means necessary to force him to recant his Christian faith and convert to Islam.

According to Present Truth Ministries, the order was designed to cause the international community, specifically Christians, to forget about Nadarkhani’s case.

“Once we forget about him, then they are free to execute him,” said a spokesperson from Present Truth Ministries. “Please help us ensure that [Nadarkhani] is not forgotten.”

Nadarkhani has been in prison since October 2009 after being charged with apostasy. He received a death sentence in 2010, a verdict upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court in July 2011.

In 2011, the original tribunal was asked to re-examine whether Nadarkhani had practiced Islam as an adult before becoming a Christian at age 19, according to Present Truth Ministries. Although the judge acknowledged that Nadarkhani had not practiced Islam, the death sentence was upheld. The court ruled that because he came from a Muslim family, he was guilty of apostasy, according to reports from Middle East Concern.

You can take action on Nadarkhani’s behalf by talking to your congressmen, telling your friends about the case or e-mailing the Iranian Embassy. Post his prisoner alert profile in your church or Sunday school class, or write a letter to Nadarkhani while he is in prison. Please be respectful, saying nothing negative about the Iranian government. Pray that Nadarkhani’s conviction will be overturned and that his family will continue to trust God during this time.

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Prisoner: Ilmurad Nurliev Location: TurkmenistanArrested: August 2010Days Imprisoned: 484 Print Fact Sheet 09/07/2011 Update Pentecostal pastor Ilmurad Nurliev was arrested at his home in Mary in southeastern Turkmenistan on Aug. 27, 2010. He was charged with extracting money from three people. His wife, Maya, and his church members strongly deny the allegations. “All this is being done because of his faith,” said Maya. During his trial, several of the witnesses against the 45-year-old pastor were coerced into testifying.Pastor Nurliev was sentenced to four years in prison, and his wife was forced to pay “compensation” immediately, or risk being kicked out of their home. Pastor Nurliev was also ordered to undergo “forcible medical treatment” to “wean him off his narcotic dependency,” another claim that his wife and church members reject. In December 2010, Pastor Nurliev was transferred to Seyi Labor Camp, known for its use of psychotropic drugs on prisoners. A former prisoner in the camp described conditions “like something from the Middle Ages.” The pastor is a diabetic, and his family is concerned about his health while he is in prison. He has no access to medical treatment. Instead of working in the labor camp’s brick kiln, the pastor is being permitted to work at his trade as a barber, serving both prisoners and camp staff. Prison authorities have denied Pastor Nurliev a Bible.Pastor Ilmurad Not Included in AmnestyFamily and friends of Pastor Ilmurad were disappointed in late August when the president did not include the pastor in what has become an annual amnesty of prisoners. His wife, Maya, had especially hoped he would be freed. She is “so disappointed,” a friend told Forum 18 News. “She sits at home and cries.”Family and friends were heartened, however, to hear that the pastor had finally been treated for his diabetes — for the first time since his arrest a year ago. Friends also said Maya has been able to visit her husband on approved visiting days.

Prisoner: Ilmurad Nurliev

Location: Turkmenistan
Arrested: August 2010
Days Imprisoned: 484 

Print Fact Sheet 
09/07/2011 Update

Pentecostal pastor Ilmurad Nurliev was arrested at his home in Mary in southeastern Turkmenistan on Aug. 27, 2010. He was charged with extracting money from three people. His wife, Maya, and his church members strongly deny the allegations. “All this is being done because of his faith,” said Maya. During his trial, several of the witnesses against the 45-year-old pastor were coerced into testifying.

Pastor Nurliev was sentenced to four years in prison, and his wife was forced to pay “compensation” immediately, or risk being kicked out of their home. Pastor Nurliev was also ordered to undergo “forcible medical treatment” to “wean him off his narcotic dependency,” another claim that his wife and church members reject. 

In December 2010, Pastor Nurliev was transferred to Seyi Labor Camp, known for its use of psychotropic drugs on prisoners. A former prisoner in the camp described conditions “like something from the Middle Ages.” 

The pastor is a diabetic, and his family is concerned about his health while he is in prison. He has no access to medical treatment. 

Instead of working in the labor camp’s brick kiln, the pastor is being permitted to work at his trade as a barber, serving both prisoners and camp staff. Prison authorities have denied Pastor Nurliev a Bible.

Pastor Ilmurad Not Included in Amnesty
Family and friends of Pastor Ilmurad were disappointed in late August when the president did not include the pastor in what has become an annual amnesty of prisoners. His wife, Maya, had especially hoped he would be freed. She is “so disappointed,” a friend told Forum 18 News. “She sits at home and cries.”

Family and friends were heartened, however, to hear that the pastor had finally been treated for his diabetes — for the first time since his arrest a year ago. 

Friends also said Maya has been able to visit her husband on approved visiting days.

Filed under Ilmurad Nurliev Turkmenistan christian persecution persecution prayer prison prisoner

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Prisoner: Yang Rongli Location: ChinaArrested: November 2009Days Imprisoned: 759 Print Fact Sheet On Nov. 25, 2009, Pastor Yang Rongli and four other Linfen-Fushan church leaders from Shanxi Province were sentenced to criminal detention for two to seven years, according to China Aid Association. The five church leaders were accused of “gathering people to disturb the public order,” because they organized a prayer rally on Sept. 14, the day after 400 military police raided the church’s grounds. During the raid, more than 30 believers were seriously wounded and 17 buildings were destroyed.Release DateYang Rongli is scheduled to be released in 2017. 

Prisoner: Yang Rongli

Location: China
Arrested: November 2009
Days Imprisoned: 759 

Print Fact Sheet 

On Nov. 25, 2009, Pastor Yang Rongli and four other Linfen-Fushan church leaders from Shanxi Province were sentenced to criminal detention for two to seven years, according to China Aid Association. The five church leaders were accused of “gathering people to disturb the public order,” because they organized a prayer rally on Sept. 14, the day after 400 military police raided the church’s grounds. During the raid, more than 30 believers were seriously wounded and 17 buildings were destroyed.

Release Date
Yang Rongli is scheduled to be released in 2017.
 

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Prisoner: Benham Irani Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)Arrested: May 2011Print Fact Sheet Behnam Irani, a 41-year-old pastor from Kraj, Iran, was convicted of crimes against national security in January 2011 and sentenced to one year in prison. After voluntarily surrendering to authorities on May 31 to begin his sentence, he learned that he would be forced to serve five years in connection with a previous conviction. Officers from the Ministry of Intelligence and National Security (MOIS) raided Irani’s house church on April 14, 2010, and assaulted him before taking him into custody. Although he was released on bail two months after his arrest, he later received the one-year prison sentence.When Irani voluntarily began serving his sentence in May 2011, he was prepared to spend one year in prison. But he received a letter in October stating that he must now serve five years from his previous sentence.Irani was first arrested in December 2006 and tried for crimes against national security. He was released in January 2007 but was soon re-arrested, tried and sentenced to five years in prison. Irani was never called to serve the sentence that is now being held against him.Irani became a pastor in 2002, 10 years after becoming a Christian. Please pray for his wife and two children as they wait for him to return home.You may also write a letter of encouragement to Pastor Irani to let him know you are praying for him. Please do not speak negatively of the Iranian government in your letter or mention the name of the organization that provided this information.Pastor Irani Being Mistreated and in Poor HealthFor the first few months of his sentence, Behnam Irani was held in solitary confinement in a very small cell. Afterward, he was moved to another small cell with other prisoners. The room was so full, the prisoners were not able to lie down to sleep, so they had to sit all day and night. The room also got very hot. Pastor Behnam is now in a normal cell, but authorities have asked for him to be beaten regularly. All his hair has turned white, and his friends fear he may lose the use of his foot, due to a severe foot injury.Please keep Behnam and his family in your prayers. 

Prisoner: Benham Irani

Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Arrested: May 2011

Print Fact Sheet 

Behnam Irani, a 41-year-old pastor from Kraj, Iran, was convicted of crimes against national security in January 2011 and sentenced to one year in prison. After voluntarily surrendering to authorities on May 31 to begin his sentence, he learned that he would be forced to serve five years in connection with a previous conviction. 

Officers from the Ministry of Intelligence and National Security (MOIS) raided Irani’s house church on April 14, 2010, and assaulted him before taking him into custody. Although he was released on bail two months after his arrest, he later received the one-year prison sentence.

When Irani voluntarily began serving his sentence in May 2011, he was prepared to spend one year in prison. But he received a letter in October stating that he must now serve five years from his previous sentence.

Irani was first arrested in December 2006 and tried for crimes against national security. He was released in January 2007 but was soon re-arrested, tried and sentenced to five years in prison. Irani was never called to serve the sentence that is now being held against him.

Irani became a pastor in 2002, 10 years after becoming a Christian. Please pray for his wife and two children as they wait for him to return home.

You may also write a letter of encouragement to Pastor Irani to let him know you are praying for him. Please do not speak negatively of the Iranian government in your letter or mention the name of the organization that provided this information.

Pastor Irani Being Mistreated and in Poor Health
For the first few months of his sentence, Behnam Irani was held in solitary confinement in a very small cell. Afterward, he was moved to another small cell with other prisoners. The room was so full, the prisoners were not able to lie down to sleep, so they had to sit all day and night. The room also got very hot. 

Pastor Behnam is now in a normal cell, but authorities have asked for him to be beaten regularly. All his hair has turned white, and his friends fear he may lose the use of his foot, due to a severe foot injury.

Please keep Behnam and his family in your prayers.
 

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