IRAN (ANS) -- Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, recently released from an Iranian prison, has written a letter of thanks to all those who brought attention to his plight and prayed for his release.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and family

According to CBN News, he was imprisoned and charged with apostasy, a crime punishable by death in Iran.

A report on a CBN blog "The Global Lane," encouraged readers to continue praying for Nadarkhani and his family. The blog read in part, "They still face danger from militant Muslims and/or government agents who may want to kill them because of Youcef's evangelistic efforts."

The blog reproduced Nadarkhani's letter of thanks, sent to CBN by Present Truth Ministries.

Nadarkhani said God's goodness and protection was overwhelmingly evident during his imprisonment.

He added, "I also want to express my gratitude towards those who, all around the world, have worked for my cause, or should I say the cause that I defend. I want to express my gratitude to all of those who have supported me, openly or in complete secrecy. You are all very dear to my heart. May the Lord bless you and give you His perfect and sovereign Grace."

Nadarkhani said while he had been tested, he had never felt lonely.

He continued, "I was all the time aware of the fact that it wasn't a solitary battle, for I have felt all the energy and support of those who obeyed their conscience and fought for the promotion of the justice and the rights of all human beings. Thanks to these efforts, I have now the enormous joy to be by my wonderful wife and my children. I am grateful for these people through whom God has been working. All of this is very encouraging."

Nadarkhani said while imprisoned God comforted his family and gave them the ability to get through the difficult time.

He said, "He has comforted my family and has given them the means to face that difficult situation. In His Grace, He provided for their spiritual and material needs, taking away from me a heavy weight."

Nadarkhani said God provided wonderfully during the trial, allowing him to face the challenges ahead.

He said, "Despite the fact that I have been found guilty of apostasy according to a certain reading of the Shar'ia, I am grateful that He gave the leaders of the country, the wisdom to break that judgment taking into account other facts of that same Shar'ia. It is obvious that the defenders of the Iranian right and the legal experts have made an important effort to enforce the law and the right. I want to thank those who have defended the right until the end."

Nadarkhani continued, "I want to express a prayer for the establishment of an unending and universal peace, so that the will of the Father be done on earth as it is in heaven. Indeed, everything passes, but the Word of God, source of all peace, will last eternally."

Source: ANS www.assistnews.net