There is nothing easy about reading the story of Pastor Saeed Abedini, and it's been getting worse.
While his previous situation was horrific, his new one is easy to label as "far worse". The dual US and Iranian citizen has been moved to Rajai Shahr and placed in the murderers' ward. He is not a murderer. He's a Christian pastor, husband, and father who builds orphanages in Iran. By being Christian and meeting with other Christians he was charged with undermining the Iranian government. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison in Iran. If he lives that long, it will be against all odds. After determined to have internal bleeding, the prison was pressured into bringing him to see a private physician, they beat him before leaving the prison. When they arrived at the hospital, they were told the physician was not in, they returned him to the prison and never pursued any care for him again. They have moved him to a more remote prison, with a reputation for making people disappear.
If there was ever a time to pray, this is it. Whether you believe prayer summons holy powers that intervene or if you think it cosmically aligns us with the feminine energies of the mother goddess, if you think it's just our imagination or even clinical insanity, it can't hurt.
Lord, we are coming to you in the desperate plea of Pastor Saeed Abedini, we need the intervention of so many in so many different ways, we need a miracle.
We are praying for Saeed, that you keep him spiritually and emotionally. Protect those parts of him that the demons in these men can't touch. Fuel him with the fire and joy of The Holy Spirit as he walks among those that are so lost and so broken, fill him with a constant knowledge of your love and protection.
Be with his family. Guide and comfort his wife, children, and extended family. Hear their prayers, Lord.
We pray also for those imprisoned with him, or as he is. Their desperate situations and we desire to find ways we can help them. We ask that you guide all the world's governments and leaders to see their situation and rebuke it. Do your work in the hearts of all those that have the power to end this persecution of any individual or group for their religion or faith, no matter their God or lack of.
You command all to "love thy neighbor as thy self", there is no "except for" . What this command says is that we love ourselves and all our neighbors, teach them this. The love for ourselves enables our love for everyone else.
Work on the hearts of those who persecute him, soften them where they have been made hard. Lift their attachments and burdens of fear so they may follow that lofty advice to above all else, love one another. With every breath may their resolve to punish and abuse weaken. Put hope in their hearts. Heal where they have broken.
Forgive them Lord, they know not what they do.
I know prayer can be controversial, difficult, unnerving, even downright unpleasant for some people for any number of reasons so if you don't pray then do whatever it is you do to dedicate your love and attention and focus and sincere plea for help to a situation, cause, or person. If it's dancing or writing, juggling, rock climbing, meditating, cooking, painting, drawing, whatever it is that does it for you, do it. I have no authority to tell you what to do, and I fully realize that, but I strongly urge you and advise you to pray in whatever form you find suits you best. For everyone's sake.
This is what we, as human beings of all races and religions, strive to completely wipe out. This horrifying injustice is happening now and can be used for good, a united earth full of individuals who are all saying "This is too much, we won't allow this, it has to end." and sure that is simplified but when it all boils down, that's what it is.
And don't forget to pray.