An Indian Catholic priest has set up prayer groups dedicated to praying for Saudi Arabia and its King, despite being imprisoned by the regime which outlaws all religions but Islam.

The prayer groups will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will pray primarily for King Abdullah, but also for the prosperity of the Saudi nation and for Indian Christians in the country.

In 2006 Fr George, from Kerala state in India, was arrested by Saudi religious police after he was sent to the country to help prepare Indian Christians for Easter.

Although he was only imprisoned for four days, Fr George said he received a profound call to pray for the country. He says during his imprisonment he had a vision of “a chalice cup planted on the map of the Saudi Kingdom”, reports AsiaNews.

After his release, Fr George set up the Christ Army for Saudi Arabia (CASA) - groups of people who pray and fast for Saudi Arabia. So far 500 people have joined the groups.

Fr George said, "Our primary prayers are for the king of Saudi Arabia and for the prosperity and richness of the Saudi kingdom who so generously welcome tens of thousands of Indians to work there, thus leading to a better lifestyle and improved standard of living in their native India."

He also spoke about Indian nurses working in Saudi Arabia, "Seventy five per cent are Catholics from Kerala. I tell them they should serve their patients with the love of Christ, serve the sick with tenderness and love."

He added that many of the labourers from India in Saudi Arabia could also “make a responsible and positive contribution to Saudi society”.

Fr George also spoke of his hope for CASA, "In Saudi Arabia when Christians and our dear Muslim friends interact so closely on a daily basis, each respecting the other as individuals and respecting each other’s religion, it gradually builds up fraternal collaboration. All this will be fulfilled through our prayer cells of CASA."