Saeed Abedini's wife says she's 'praying for a miracle'

Pastor Saeed Abedini with his family (Photo: ACLJ)

This week sees the two-year anniversary of the imprisonment of pastor Saeed Abedini in Iran.

Abedini, a US citizen, was working on an orphanage project in his native Iran when he was arrested for "threatening the national security" and sentenced to eight years in prison.

His family say he has been beaten in prison and that the abuse has been so severe that it has required hospital treatment.

Wife Naghmeh reported last month that her husband had received death threats from members of the Islamic State imprisoned alongside him.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has called upon Iran to release Abedini, along with other American citizens being held in the country.

"The United States remains committed to returning all of them to their families, friends and loved ones," said Mr Kerry.

The second anniversary of his imprisonment on 26 September will be marked with 460 prayer vigils taking place across 30 countries.

Naghmeh said: "We are praying for a miracle. My hope is that, as thousands gather together on September 26, our governments and leaders will be reminded of the importance of religious freedom for all and continue to pressure Iran to secure Saeed's release."

Naghmeh has spoken movingly in the past of the way her faith in God is helping her and her husband get through the difficulty of his imprisonment.

"God is holding me up. I can see from Saeed's letters that God is holding him up too," she said in an interview with International Christian Concern's president Jeff King.

In a powerful testimony, she said the time since his imprisonment had been "very hard" but added that "spiritually, it is the best time in my life".

"I wouldn't trade it for anything," she said.

"The Lord has counted our family worthy enough to send Saeed to a dark place that he would be able to share with people who are in complete despair."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Sam Allberry resigns after being 'disqualified' from ministry by church
Sam Allberry resigns after being 'disqualified' from ministry by church

Sam Allberry has resigned from his position as associate pastor of Immanuel Church Nashville after reportedly being in an “inappropriate relationship with an adult man in 2022". 

12 Christians killed in Nigeria
12 Christians killed in Nigeria

Terrorists from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) killed at least 12 people and burned a church building in an attack on a Christian village in northeastern Nigeria’s Adamawa State, according to the international Christian aid organization Barnabas Aid.

Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas team up for faith-based single
Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas team up for faith-based single

Contemporary Christian artist Brandon Lake and pop singer Nick Jonas have released a two-song collaboration, featuring the new single “The Author” and a remix of “Hope.”

Where is Scotland heading this week? 
Where is Scotland heading this week? 

Scotland is experiencing serious political, economic and social decline after years of SNP governance and failed policy choices. Will this week's elections change that?