Iranian officials are now threatening American Pastor Saeed Abedini that he will be held longer than his eight-year sentence unless he recants his faith.

Writing for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), Jordan Sekulow said the ACLJ has just obtained a new letter from Pastor Abedini, dated 9 March, where he talks about the humiliation and psychological torture he undergoes daily.

Pastor Abedini, a US citizen, was sentenced in January to eight years in prison on charges related to his religious beliefs.

Abedini writes he was told, "'Deny your faith in Jesus Christ and return to Islam or else you will not be released from prison. We will make sure you are kept here even after your eight year sentence is finished.' These are the threats that prison officials throw at me."

Abedini continues, "My response to them is Romans 8:35-39. The reality of Christian living is that difficulties or problems do arise in our lives. Persecution and difficulties are not new occurrences, but are seen often in the Christian life. It is through the suffering and tribulations that we are to enter the Kingdom of God."

He closes the letter, "Pastor Saeed Abedini, the servant and slave of Jesus Christ in chains, with a lot of joy to see you soon. Evin Prison 9th March 2013."

Sekulow wrote, "It is clear that Pastor Saeed's faith is what is keeping him alive - sustaining him - as the mental and physical abuse he suffers at the hands of the brutal Islamic regime weakens his body."

People from all over the world are writing letters of prayer and support to Pastor Saeed for his upcoming birthday on 7 May.

Sekulow said, "Pastor Saeed is refusing to deny Christ. We must let him know that we will never forget him and will never stop working for his release."

Sekulow encouraged readers to get involved.

Find out more about how to write a letter to Pastor Saeed at www.SaveSaeed.org

Source: ASSIST News Service