For Saeed, Amir, Jason, Robert

Lord, have mercy on Saeed Abedini.
Lord, have mercy on Amir Hekmati.
Lord, have mercy on Jason Rezaian.
Lord, have mercy on Robert Levinson.

Please comfort them,
now that President Obama's agreement with Iran
has been finalized and announced
without mentioning their suffering,
without insisting on their release.

Forgive us, Lord,
for letting them languish.
Forgive us for placing faith in the regime
that holds these men.
Forgive us for celebrating in press conferences and official statements
without remembering their suffering.

Make us better than that.
Make us wiser than that.
Make us faithful
to love and advocate for them.
Save us from trading their freedom
for "peace, peace" (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11).

Release the captives.
Bring them home.
Save them.
Save us.
Amen.