Praise and Prayer for Christian Captives

 Meanwhile, two Iranian Christian converts, Mehdi Rahimi (known as Samuel), 49, and Kia Nourinia, 55, have been sentenced to 12 years in prison each after being found guilty of possessing multiple copies of the Bible and other Christian materials. The sentences were issued in their absence by an Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tabriz, northwest Iran.

The court handed down the verdict in April. Both men had fled the country following a wave of coordinated raids in November targeting Christian converts in multiple cities. Kia escaped after the raid, while Samuel was already outside Iran at the time and has not returned.

The court found them guilty of “propaganda activity of deviant Christian Zionist beliefs opposed to the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” for which they received 10 years in prison. An additional two years were given for “smuggling prohibited goods”—a charge that referred to the Bibles found in their homes. They were also fined more than $1,000 each and ordered to pay ten times the value of the confiscated Bibles. The judge declared that all confiscated items, including mobile phones and electronic devices, would be handed over to the Ministry of Intelligence for ‘research.’

In addition to the prison terms, the judge ruled that both men would be deprived of their social rights for 15 years, which includes the right to join any groups or associations.

The verdict was based solely on a report by the Ministry of Intelligence. There was no further investigation nor an opportunity for the men to defend themselves, as they were not in the country for interrogation.

This case reflects a growing pattern in Iran, where Persian-language Bibles printed abroad are now treated as smuggled goods. This legal tactic gives authorities further grounds to punish those involved in Christian activities.

Prayer Requests:

• Ask God to strengthen and encourage Mehdi and Kia in exile. Pray that they will experience His presence deeply, find healing from trauma, and be surrounded by a supportive Christian community wherever they are.
• Pray for a change in laws that criminalize Christian faith and literature. Ask God to raise up voices—both inside and outside the country—that will advocate for religious freedom and human rights.
• Lift up the many believers who meet in secret. Pray for courage, wisdom, and protection as they continue to follow Jesus under constant threat of persecution.
• Even when Bibles are confiscated and labelled “deviant,” pray that the Word of God will continue to spread, transform lives, and bear fruit throughout Iran.
• Ask God to soften the hearts of judges, intelligence officers, and leaders. May they encounter the truth of Christ and be transformed by His love.