Pastor Saeed Turns 35 in Prison; Prays for America
As millions of Americans gathered Thursday to observe the National Day of Prayer, Pastor Saeed Abedini offered a prayer for the nation from behind bars in Iran.
Pastor Saeed's 35th birthday fell on the same day as the National Day of Prayer this year.
In his letter posted on the American Center for Law and Justice website, he quoted from the book of Ezra in the Bible as he invited Christians in the United States to unite in prayer for the nation's revival.
"As Ezra cried out to God in repentance and the Israelites joined him in weeping bitterly and turning from their sin, I would like to ask you to join me in repenting and praying for revival," Pastor Saeed wrote.
"We all hope for the success of our nation and for America to be blessed, but without revival there can be no true success or blessing," he added.
Watch a recent update on Abedini's situation,
including an update from his wife Nagmeh.
Pastor Saeed closed by asking his fellow American Christians to "remember my chains in your freedom and chain together in unity for our beloved America."
"Know that I am chained with you in prayer...in seeking God for America," he wrote. "There is no other way but to be crucified with Christ so that we may experience the power of His resurrection in our beloved country."
Pastor Saeed was convicted of undermining Iran's national security when he peacefully gathered with fellow believers in Iran. He has spent nearly a thousand days in Iranian prisons, often undergoing brutal treatment.
