“Youcef Nadarkhani, the Iranian Christian pastor who had been re-arrested on Christmas Day after serving nearly three years in prison for renouncing Islam, was released today, according to individuals close to the pastor and his family,” Fox News reported Tuesday. “Nadarkhani, 35, had been held since Christmas Day at Lakan Prison in Rasht, the facility where he was imprisoned from 2010 to 2012 in a case that made international headlines. Although he initially faced possible  execution, he had been freed in November, with just 45 days left on a downgraded sentence issued after Fox News and other media outlets drew attention to his plight. But when he was arrested, an Iranian judge said he must finish his sentence.”

Please continue to pray for Pastor Youcef, and for all the persecuted followers of Jesus Christ in Iran. Pray that the Lord would give them courage and strength to endure, boldness to proclaim the Gospel under terrible persecution, and the deep and real sense of Christ’s presence with them. Pray that He also give them His joy as He blesses them for suffering for His Name.

“Blessed are those who have beenpersecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” the Lord Jesus said. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)