Reverend Franklin Graham has announced that he will be joining the prayer vigil to be led by imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini's wife Naghmeh on Sept. 26, which will mark his third year as a prisoner in Rajaei Shahr, Iran. Graham is encouraging people to join in and pray for the pastor's release.
"September 26 will mark three years since Saeed was imprisoned, and his wife Naghmeh is holding a prayer vigil that day at noon. People all around the world will be praying for his freedom and for the persecuted church," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Please pray that Saeed and the other three Americans in Iran will be released soon—and share this with others who will pray."
Graham still finds it "unbelievable" that President Obama negotiated a nuclear deal with Iran without even demanding for the release of "not one, but four, Americans still detained" in different Iranian prisons.
"One of them is our friend Pastor Saeed Abedini who was arrested because of his Christian faith. Why doesn't Washington get it?" he asked.
Prior to the controversial nuclear deal with Iran, Abedini already faced cruel treatment from his fellow prisoners and jail guards. His ill treatment became worse after the deal was announced, the pastor himself revealed in a letter. Now, his family is extremely worried about his safety.
During last year's prayer for the release of Abedini, more than 600 prayer vigils, large and small, were held around the world as people prayed for Saeed and asked God for his release, according to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). This year, the prayer vigils will be held in different locations such as churches, parks, homes, and on capitol steps around the world.
More details about the upcoming prayer vigil can be found in the Be Heard website.
