How You Can Help

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

(Hebrews 13:3)

The apostle Paul writes to the Hebrews commanding that they remember the believers that are in bonds.  This is not just an historical message, as there are many in prison today for the sake of the Gospel.

How can we remember them?  You can do this first and foremost by praying for them daily. The greatest power we have on earth is prayer. God works mightily and powerfully through the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous. Pray for their strength to overcome the pressure put on them to turn away from Jesus Christ. Pray that they accomplish the purpose of God in their lives through their bonds.   God is sovereign and has a purpose for everything. He has often used the imprisonment of believers to bring others to salvation and redemption. Finally, pray for their release and deliverance the chains of prison.

You can help them by writing to government officials, both in your own country and the country that the believers are from. Simply write that you appreciate that their government allows freedom of religion and that you have heard that such and such a person is in prison for being a Christian and that you would request that they look into this matter and take action.

Your Congressmen and MP’s will ask you what you would like them to do. In the US ask them to push this issue with the State Department. In other countries request that they call in the Iranian Ambassador and ask him about this case, Islamic Human Rights and whether Iran truly follows the human rights charter they signed at the UN.

Those from the United States please contact your Congressman by going to this link and typing in your zip code. Then contact them either by phone or by email.

Those from Canada contact your MP at this link.

If you are from the United Kingdom go to http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

You can also contact your UN ambassador by going to this link.

You can also write a letter to brother Behnam by going to Prisoner Alert and following their instructions.

You can also contact the following by email or Fax the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, + 98 21 774 2228;  the President Hassan Rouhani, Fax: + 98 21 649 5880, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs,  Mohammad-Javad Zarif, Fax: + 98 21 390 1999, requesting the release and remission of all charges against Pastor Behnam Irani, Alireza Seyyedian, Shahin Lahouti and other prisoners of conscience in Iran.

How to write your message:

Please be polite and respectful in your message, and include the following points:

• Explain that you’re encouraged by President Rouhani’s promises to release political prisoners;
• Ask for Behnam Irani, Alireza Seyyedian and Shahin Lahouti to be released unconditionally, and all charges against ;
• Urge the Iranian Government to end the practice of characterising legitimate religious activities as national security crimes.

You can also help by spreading the word to others about persecuted believers. Share information on Facebook, via email, Twitter, however you communicate with others. Even more importantly you can talk about these prisoners for Jesus Christ to your friends and relatives. You never know who will hear and want to get involved and can make a difference.