( CNN ) An American pastor imprisoned in Iran has written a letter to President Barack Obama , thanking Obama for meeting with his wife and children last week in Idaho . Saeed Abedini , who was born in Iran and whose family home is now in Idaho , relayed the letter of gratitude through his father during one of his sanctioned weekly 20-minute visitor sessions . `` Thank you again for standing up for my family and I and for thousands of Christians across the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ , '' Abedini wrote . In 2009 , Abedini was arrested in Iran and later released after formally pledging to stop organizing churches in homes . He returned to Iran in 2012 to help build a state-run secular orphanage . It was during this visit that he was abruptly pulled from a bus and imprisoned . Over the last two-and-a half years , Abedini has endured beatings and torture at the hands of his jailers and fellow inmates , according to his family . At one point , reports circulated regarding death threats targeting Abedini from ISIS prisoners held at the same Iranian facility . `` President Obama , you have my prayers from inside of these walls , '' Abedini wrote . `` I pray for God 's guidance , wisdom and blessing for you as you lead this great nation . '' Abedini 's letter to Obama was posted online by the American Center for Law and Justice ( ACLJ ) , an organization founded by television evangelist Pat Robertson that has worked to publicize Abedini 's situation . In the letter , Abedini thanked Obama for meeting with his wife , Naghmeh Abedini , and their children in Boise , Idaho on January 22 . `` They have had a heavy burden to carry in my absence , and your presence helped to relieve some of that burden , '' Abedini wrote . `` With this meeting I feel more hopeful now ; it 's becoming a higher priority , '' said Naghmeh Abedini . The 10-minute face-to-face meeting with the President was `` an answer to my prayers , '' she added . `` The meeting took place in a personable and intimate setting . The kids were there and I saw a lot of compassion and care as we talked , '' Naghmeh Abedini said . The Abedinis have two children , Rebekka , and Jacob , both under the age of 8 . Jacob asked Obama if he would be able to bring his father home in time for an upcoming birthday , according to the Abedini family . Sharing some words of comfort , the President responded that he would try . `` I could see that he cared as a father , '' said Naghmeh Abedini . During their meeting , the President reassured Naghmeh Abedini that her husband 's case was a high priority . He told her that he and Secretary of State John Kerry meet regularly regarding the issue , and Kerry continues to bring up Abedini and to push for his release in ongoing meetings with the Iranians . Naghmeh Abedini said Obama promised her the United States will `` keep at it until Saeed is released . '' The Abedini family has been fighting for his release for the last three years . Earlier this month , the Obama administration called for Abedini 's immediate release , along with other Americans held in Iran , including Washington Post Tehran Bureau Chief Jason Rezaian . In a subsequent briefing , White House press secretary Josh Earnest emphasized that the issue of American citizens imprisoned in Iran is of great concern for the administration . The fact that Kerry raised the issue in his diplomatic exchanges with the Iranians `` is an indication of how seriously the United States takes this case , '' said Earnest . Abedini continues to be denied adequate medical attention for injuries , said Tiffany Barrans , International Legal Director for the ACLJ . `` It 's not that they have n't given him any treatment . It 's that they continue to give him medications that have not helped and doctors ' medical tests have concluded surgery is necessary , '' Barrans said . Despite their grueling emotional journey , Abedini family members say they continue to hold on to hope as they make headway in bringing increased attention to Saeed Abedini 's story , both in the United States and internationally . Since meeting the President , Naghmeh Abedini said she has received follow-up calls from the White House and is set to meet with U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom David N. Saperstein at the end of February .
`` President Obama , you have my prayers from inside of these walls , '' Saeed Abedini wrote . The White House has not commented on the letter. Abedini has been imprisoned since 2012 .