Here is a link to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) page, where they posted the complete letter that pastor Saeed wrote to USA's President Obama: http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/american-pastor-saeed-writes-letter-thanking-president-obama-standing-up-persecuted?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=bh
In case you cannot access the link, to read what was posted, I decided to copy/paste the information. There is information from ACLJ, plus the letter from pastor Saeed. Here it is:
American Pastor Saeed Abedini has written a letter from his Iranian jail cell to President Obama thanking him for meeting with his wife and kids.
Last week, President Obama met with Pastor Saeed’s wife, Naghmeh, and their two children, Rebekka and Jacob, and promised to make Pastor Saeed’s freedom a “top priority,” even telling Jacob that he “will try” to work to get Pastor Saeed home by Jacob’s birthday in March.
Yesterday, Pastor Saeed told a family member in Iran who was able to visit him that President Obama’s willingness to take the time to meet with his wife and kids greatly encouraged him.
He wrote a letter to President Obama expressing his immense gratitude:
Dear Mr. President,Pastor Saeed – a U.S. citizen – has been wrongfully imprisoned, separated from his wife and kids, for nearly two and a half years in an Iranian prison because of his Christian faith.
I was personally encouraged that you were in my hometown of Boise, Idaho and made time to visit my wife and children. They have had a heavy burden to carry in my absence, and your presence helped to relieve some of that burden. Thank you for your fatherly compassion of letting Jacob know that you will try to get me home by his birthday. I know that as a father you can truly understand the pain and anguish of my children living without their father and the burden that is on my wife as a single mother.
I also know how encouraged Christians around the world were to also hear of this meeting. Nothing is more valuable to the body of Christ than to see how the Lord is in control and moves ahead of countries and leadership through united prayer.
Thank you again for standing up for my family and I and for thousands of Christians across the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. President Obama, you have my prayers from inside of these walls. I pray for God’s guidance, wisdom and blessing for you as you lead this great nation.
God Bless you and your family and God Bless America!
Saeed Abedini
Prisoner for Christ, who is proud to be part of this great nation of the United States of America that cares for religious freedom across the world.
Rajaee Shahr prison
Karaj, Iran
We agree with Pastor Saeed that President Obama’s willingness to meet with his family sends a powerful message about America’s priorities and resolve to defend persecuted Christians.
During his weekly visitation yesterday, Pastor Saeed was allowed to talk and pray with a family member from Iran for about 20 minutes in the Iranian prison.
As Pastor Saeed expressed last week, he continues to suffer from increased pain – the result of injuries sustained from prison beatings. He continues to need medical care.
Now it is time to bring Pastor Saeed home. We will continue working with the Obama Administration, the State Department, the United Nations, and world leaders toward Pastor Saeed’s freedom.
1.29.2015 UPDATE:
National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan has told Fox News, "I can confirm that the White House has received a letter for President Obama from Saeed Abedini, thanking the President for meeting with Mr. Abedini’s wife and children in Idaho." "We remain concerned about the health and welfare of Mr. Abedini, sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran on charges related to his religious beliefs, and we repeat our request for Iran to grant Swiss officials, who serve as our protecting power, consular access to determine his well-being. We again call on Iran to release Mr. Abedini so that he may be reunited with his family.”
Please continue to pray for his release, as we continue working to bring him home to America. Stand with us and urge President Obama to take action on his word and not leave Pastor Saeed behind. Sign our petition for Pastor Saeed’s freedom (below and) at BeHeardProject.com.
Sigh...
For a really long time, I've prayed for pastor Saeed. And, for others like him, who are being imprisoned and persecuted by Muslims, due to them being Christian.
While I am happy that USA's President Obama confirmed to pastor Saeed's wife and family, that he would help get him released from prison in Iran, I still found it upsetting in one way.
When I read this, I was happy, but wondered something. Why hasn't he done this, before now?
Why has he allowed pastor Saeed... and his family, to suffer for about two and a half (2 1/2) years?
Even so, I praise God that he promised to help them. For this, I am and always will be grateful!
No matter what happens, I realize that pastor Saeed has truly been an obedient Christian. Just as I stated, yesterday.
Why do I think this? Well, you could read yesterday's LwL entry, to be sure.
But, in addition, I would like to say that pastor Saeed has presented his body as a living sacrifice. And, been merciful.
Just as we are told to be, in Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Pastor Saeed, is definitely trusting in our Lord, in an acceptable way, which is definitely reasonable service to God.
I must admit, he amazes me.
Hopefully, those who are not yet Christian, will understand that pastor Saeed is experiencing a trial that many people will not face. A serious trial, that may change his life, and the lives of his family.
Once again, I ask you to please pray for pastor Saeed... and others suffering persecution in the same way. Plus, please pray for family members who also suffer.
Thank you. May God bless you.
Until next time...
If you would like to comment, please e-mail: lifewithlynnie@gmail.com