Presbyterian Devotions: Sakineh's Unjust Suffering

Acts 22:25       As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?" 

The Iranians flogged a woman 99 times last week in one of their horrific prisons. Sakineh Ashtiani has also been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. It is very likely that she will be executed soon.

Sakineh was lashed 99 times because a photograph of her appeared in a British daily newspaper. Her family was trying to make nations across the world aware of her predicament, in the hope that government leaders would advocate for clemency. Instead, the Iranians flogged her severely for allowing herself to be photographed without a veil over her face and with her hair outside of her headscarf. It turns out that the photograph was of another woman, but in order to make an example and to keep Iranian women totally submissive to Sharia law, Sakineh was still flogged.

This is one of the major reasons that I have no respect for Islam. This is the equivalent of the Salem witch trials that Christianity shamelessly prosecuted in 1692. Thankfully, we learned from those abhorrent mistakes and these days we try to be less judgmental. I pray that the Iranians will begin to see the error of their ways and that Sakineh’s life will be spared. Sadly, there’s a very small chance of that happening, but if mercy, compassion, and peace are truly important qualities of the Islamic faith, then surely some holy Muslim leader can intervene.

Prayer:                        Lord God, we pray for the plight of Sakineh Ashtiani. We all make mistakes and if we were ever to be judged by You without mercy, we would have no hope of being saved from Your wrath.

Lord, we also hate to see injustice in our world, especially religious injustice where men claim to be following Your ways and words. Be with Sakineh and her family throughout this harsh, cruel, and painful time. Release her from the hands of those who would brutally stone her to death. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.