Pastor Nasser (left) and Pastor Joseph (right). (Source: Article 18)
Pastor Nasser (left) and Pastor Joseph (right). (Source: Article 18)
Apr. 17, 2025 | Iran

Pastors Rearrested, One Suffers Stroke

[70] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Iranian pastors.

Iranian pastors Nasser Navard Gol-Tapath, age 63, and Joseph Shahbazian, age 61, were rearrested in their homes on Feb. 6, 2025, and taken to Evin Prison. No reason for their arrests was given. Pastor Nasser immediately began a hunger strike in protest but suffered a debilitating stroke on March 17. While he reportedly has received some medical treatment, he remains behind bars. Pastor Nasser had previously served nearly 5 years in the same prison on a 10-year sentence on charges of “action against national security” for leading house churches. Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, an Iranian Armenian, had also been sentenced to 10 years on the same charge and had served just over a year in the prison when they were both released in October 2022. Iranian church leaders say the arrests of pastors and Christians show that the Iranian government continues to target church leaders, even those previously pardoned.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Iran and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for Iranian pastors

  • Dear Jesus,

    I thank You for Iranian pastors Nasser Navard Gol-Tapath and Joseph Shahbazian for preaching Your Gospel. I plead the blood of Jesus over those men of God as they face imprisonment once again. Be with them as You were the apostles and Paul the apostles. Let them be of good faith and good cheer. In Jesus' name, amen.
    Christopher W - USA
  • Dear Jesus, We implore your intercession for Iran. You know how Christians there suffer, particularly Pastors such as Mr Gol Tapath and Mr Shahbazian. Please ensure their quick release from prison and grant Christians by moving on the minds of government authorities. In Jesus' name we pray!
    Robert M - USA
  • Father, author of our lives! Father I pray for Devine healing for this pastor! I pray his healing be bold and visible to those who persecute him! Lord use this for your glory!
    Amy L - USA
  • LORD: Thank You for these pastors in Iran continue to serve amid persecution. I pray You will keep their eyes on You, and their faith will not fail through all that they are facing. Protect them from all fear and all works of darkness. Healings. Keep them in Your strength, boldness to share. Wisdom to be wise as serpent and harmless as dove. In Jesus N
    P F - USA
  • Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for the faithful service of these two pastors over the years, even as they are now imprisoned for the second time. Please make them very aware of Your Presence to help them through this ordeal. Let this work out for good for the building of Your Kingdom and bringing down of strongholds. Bless and help their loved ones.
    Jean S - Canada
  • gods will be done for what is in store for them , ministry to others and families humanitarian needs !
    JEROME M - USA
  • Father give wisdom, strength, healing & peace to the Iranian pastors as they serve you. Show them your love, meet their needs & bless them with souls for the kingdom. In Jesus name.
    Rhonda F - USA
  • Father, in your great mercy, move on behalf of these precious pastors to get them released again, and let it be permanent freedom. I pray you will heal Pastor Nasser, completely restoring his health. In your sovereign power, turn the hearts of the Supreme Court judges in Iran to rule for religious freedom. Amen.
    Selma O - USA
  • Daer Lord, I pray that pastors Nasser and Joseph find relief in their suffering and struggles and in particular for the health of Pastor Nasser. Amen.
    Tom H - USA
  • Holy Father, we pray for these two Iranian pastors and brothers in Christ, for you to deliver mercies and moving kindnesses to them, even their releases O Lord, according to the measure of mercy you are willing to give. We thank you for the steadfastness of their faith and love of the Lord. Protect them and their testimony of Christ.
    Sean H - USA
  • Lord, let thy justice be done. Rescue these sons of thine land et their story embolden the believers in Iran. Guide their steps and keep them in the covert of thy wings.
    Margaret D - USA
  • Father, your Word says blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10. I am so thankful that you will never leave or forsake these Iranian pastors, but will strengthen them to bring glory to your holy name even through the suffering. Shine on, in and through them. Amen
    Tammie J - USA
  • Please Father release these precious brothers from prison. Please drop any charges or fines and please stop with wicked persecution of Your people in Iran. Please heal Pastor Nasser completely in the Mighty Name of Jesus
    AMANDA Y - USA
  • Holy, Almighty Father God. Please be with pastors Gol-Tapath and Shahbazian and other Christian workers who have been put in the notorious Evin prison. Provide for them, their families and churches. May the pastors' pardons be enforced and they be released soon. Heal Pastor Gol-Tapath. May Your church continue to grow. I pray in Christ's Name.
    Rose T - USA
  • Dear Lord Jesus, wrap your loving arms of comfort around these 2 faithful pastors and others who are imprisoned as well. Make them aware of your presence and strengthen and encourage their spirits. Show them how you will use this for your good in some way. Comfort the families. Move the hearts of the government to not fear and punish Christians.
    Margaret H - USA
  • Father, continue to bless and use Your servants as examples to their flocks, and to those of us who are part to the Church worldwide. May their steadfastness inspire us all to greater commitment and holy living.
    Toni D - USA
  • Father in Jesus name and by your Holy Spirit, help them. Amen.
    Michael C - USA
  • Father God,
    We pray for Pastor Nasser to have complete healing from the stroke he suffered and to be released from prison. Holy Spirit guide him in prayer and action. Protect the pastors who serve You in Iran from being targets of persecution. Guide them in prayer and action. Show them how to be Your people in this depraved land. Expand their territory
    Karen G - USA
  • Father, I ask a you to release these men and promote the Gospel in all of Iran. Blind the government from seeing or knowing what the Believers are doing. Remove this wicked government and replace it with Holy Spirit filled people who love You and have a heart of do Your will for Iran.
    Release powerful angels to help them in each step of Your will!!
    William N - USA
  • Dear Lord of All, we are mourning the recapture of your servants, especially PNasser. Bring healing & comfort to them both. Please bring an advocate to represent their situation. Give the prison guards mercy & grace for them. Father we pray for a miracle for these, your children. Free them from their captors. Have mercy on them & their families. Amen.
    Shelly D - USA
  • Jehovah Shamah, Show that You are with them. Bring Pastor Nasser back to full health and satisfy him with Your saving healing, keeping him fruitful till his appointed time for heaven. Encourage both these men, guiding them to witness in divine moments to others. Prepare hearts through fervent prayers for those to be saved. Provide for their families.
    Jim E - USA
  • Dear Beloved Heavenly Father, please protect and defend Pastor Nassau and Joseph while incarcerated. "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this matter." 1 Peter 4:16. In the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
    Dianne B - USA
  • Pastors Nasser Navard Gol-Tapath,and Joseph Shahbazian, are in your hands, you delivered Daniel and your power was made known.
    The persecution of your servants will also be a testimony.
    We pray for complete healing and stroke occurrence to be no more in Jesus name amen.
    Kehinde A - USA
  • Lord Jesus, I thank You for the empowering Spirit You have given these two faithful pastors, and all the believers in Iran. I pray that You stop satan's attacks that try to hinder the spread of Your truth. Please direct and protect all the believers in Iran.
    Joel B - USA
  • "Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up becuase of the cross! One the contrary, because of the JOY that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross..." (Hebrews 12:2) Father, may pastors in Iran be filled with the joy of Christ. This is my prayer, Amen.
    Robyn P - USA
  • Thank you Lord for your love for my brothers. Thank you that you're with them and are caring for them. May they stand firm in faith and be a witness of your love and forgiveness. In Jesus name!
    Lorin M - USA
  • Heavenly Father, let your glory shine upon our brother pastors and our brethren persecuted in Iran, let the power of Jesus Christ, pour forth your glory through healing, deliverance, miracles, wonders, as it is written, send fire of revival spread its flames across the entire country. We bind the forces of evil that stand against your body. Amen.Amen!
    Carlos Y - USA
  • Lord we pray for pstrs N&J, our brothers in captivity. Pls heal pstr Nasser to confirm Yr Diety& the gospel before Iranian authorities. Grant help&encouragement to them both that YOU are with them. We pray for their release! Help both their families& their churches w provision&courage under this renewed persecution. Build&sustain Yr Iranian church IJN
    Jane G - USA
  • Most Merciful Abba, we about Your ministers in Iran & pray wholeheartedly for Your intervention in their unfair arrest & persecution for their faith in Christ. Redeem these pastors & return them to fulfilling their calling as soon as possible. We pray those who have been pardoned would be able to retain those pardons & teach freely. In Jesus name Amen
    Robert C - Canada
  • Lord, we commit these suffering saints into Your hands. We thank You for we know You are with Pastor Nasser and Pastor Joseph. So, may they experience Your tangible presence and we also pray that You touch the earths of the officials to release them. We pray for their families that they may be comforted and strengthened in the faith.
    Peter S - Canada
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