We join in prayer as hundreds around the county leave an empty place setting on this Thanksgiving to stand in solidarity with Pastor Saeed Abedini and for persecuted Christians and churches around the globe.
The Christian Defense Coalition has asked that all Americans leave a place at the Thanksgiving dinner table for the persecuted pastor. Pastor Saeed, an American citizen, has been in an Iranian prison for more than a year because of his Christian faith. He is serving an eight year sentence and was recently relocated from Evin prison to Rajai Shahr Prison which is one of the worst in the world. The Iranian government frequently moves prisoners to the Rajai Shahr Prison to isolate them from the media, public view and human rights groups.
The coalition has set up a Facebook event page saying the empty place setting will serve “as a prophetic’ reminder to pray for Saeed and all those being persecuted for their faith around the world.” As of last Tuesday afternoon, over 700 people have RSVPed as attending. The group also plans to set up a Thanksgiving place setting in front of the White House at 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning. The Rev. Patrick J Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition says this is to “remind President Obama to be a much stronger voice for religious freedom around the world and the release of Pastor Saeed.”
“While Americans enjoy the blessing of spending Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, it is important to remember that millions around the world are being brutalized, persecuted and attacked for their Christian faith. Thousands are in prison,” Mahoney says. Pastor Saeed will not be able to spend this special day with his wife and two young children, but instead will be spending it in a cramped prison facing constant violence and persecution.
We should never be silent when it comes to issues of human rights, justice and religious freedom. We must always be a loud voice in the public square calling for an end to the persecution and violence directed toward people because of their faith.
The Rev. said, “Leaving a Thanksgiving Place for Pastor Saeed is a powerful way for Americans to stand in solidarity with the persecuted church around the world and teach their families about the important issues of human rights and religious freedom.”
Without question, we will have a plate set at our dinner table this Thanksgiving as my precious family celebrates this day and we give thanks to God for all He has given us. I encourage all to join us in our support of Pastor Saeed. I look forward to this afternoon when immediately following our families ‘thankful prayer to God for all He has given us and all He does for us’, I will be presented the opportunity of explaining the plate to our children and grandchildren prior to the consumption of our blessed dinner!
