Saeed Abedini has urged Americans to vote for Donald Trump, revealing that the Republican presidential nominee supported Abedini's family with $10,000 during the time the Iranian-American pastor was imprisoned in Iran for over three years because of his faith.
Christian Post reports that the pastor went on to accuse the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton of refusing to offer any help.
Abedini, revealed last week that he has already cast an early vote for Trump. He even acknowledged that although Trump has been the subject of several controversies thus far, God willed flawed men to lead nations even in the Old Testament. The pastor reasoned that perhaps, God could be doing the same with Trump.
In a Facebook post, Abedini wrote, "In the past few months, we have seen how media is attacking to Donald Trump's past. I have even heard so many people said he is not a Christian. Of course, only God knows this for sure, but what I see is God is using him and anointed him. It seems to me that he is the Cyrus of our modern day, but like you and me, he is a flawed man, in the process of spiritual growth. As a nation, I believe we are in an unfolding process too. History recounts the story of the King Cyrus of Persia, my native country. I believe God raised up this man for His great mission."
The pastor pointed out that those who are so keen on condemning the Republican nominee for his past are forgetting that America is also a nation "saved by grace."
He continued in his post, "When we hear that this candidate or that candidate is not a strong Christian or has a past that disqualifies him to be the President of the United States, my answer is that we are a nation, a people who are also sinners, saved by grace. Instead of worrying about others' spiritual growth, we should humbly come before God in repentance and humility. Then we should trust His providence to raise up leaders who honor Him. Judging is NOT our business; this is God's business and, throughout history, even though leaders like Cyrus, God has demonstrated that He always does His business well."
Following an international campaign fighting for his freedom, Abedini was released from prison in January. He then returned home to Boise, Idaho, where he has since continued his ministry.
In another Facebook post, he disclosed that Trump had supported his family in the U.S. while he was being held hostage in prison.
"I am finally free in a free country. Last year on the same day I was sick and in chains for Christ, and now I can vote to choose my next president. And most amazingly, I can vote for someone that I know fought for me and called my name so many times. He met my family and gave them a $10,000 gift. I think his ideas are more biblical than the other candidates," he wrote of Trump.
Of Clinton, he added, "As a woman who says she stands for women's rights when she was foreign minister, she never contacted my mom, wife, sister or my daughter. She never did anything to help when I was in prison as an American pastor who was detained in Iran as a hostage."
