Captive in Iran: A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph amid the Horror of Tehran's Brutal Evin Prison

Maryam Rostampour · Marziyeh Amirizadeh

Apr 2013 · Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

About this ebook

Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh knew they were putting their lives on the line. Islamic laws in Iran forbade them from sharing their Christian beliefs, but in three years, they’d covertly put New Testaments into the hands of twenty thousand of their countrymen and started two secret house churches.

In 2009, they were finally arrested and held in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, a place where inmates are routinely tortured and executions are commonplace. In the face of ruthless interrogations, persecution, and a death sentence, Maryam and Marziyeh chose to take the radical—and dangerous—step of sharing their faith inside the very walls of the government stronghold that was meant to silence them. In Captive in Iran, two courageous Iranian women recount how God used their 259 days in Evin Prison to shine His light into one of the world’s darkest places, giving hope to those who had lost everything and showing love to those in despair.

Ratings and reviews

I enjoyed this book as a refreshing change from fiction. Much of the story gives an account of the women that Marziyeh and Maryam met during their stay in Evin and the temporary prison. The two women shared Christ with nearly everyone they met despite the harsh, discouraging conditions. They were already in prison for their beliefs; what more could be done to them? I appreciated the fact that Marziyeh and Maryam did not spend the book self-focused or complaining about the horrible prison conditions (although they certainly mentioned the conditions), but focus much of their story on the people they learned to love while in prison. This in itself is a testimony to their faith. The first chapter or two were a little confusing because the story keeps jumping forward and backward in time. After that, there is no problem. I loved this book. It helped me grow in faith and see the harsh realities of those outside my comfy America. I hope everyone who reads this book will, if nothing else, pray for those in prison for their faith.

Having grown up in Tehran, Iran and also not far from Evin prison, during a very peaceful time in Iran, it is so hard to read stories of the oppression that now exists. Even in today's Iran the words of Christ our Lord can still be and always will be spoken and heard by those that seek him.

Great and powerful testimony of God working in difficult situations where very few would be able to stay loyal to the precious price that was paid for every believer.

About the author

Anne Graham Lotz was born on May 21, 1948 in Montreat, North Carolina. She is the daughter of evangelist Billy Graham and Ruth Graham. Her revival ministry was launched in 2000 and she has spoken in more than twenty foreign countries. She has been awarded six honorary doctorates for her extensive work in the area of Bible study and exposition. Currently she is the president and CEO of AnGeL Ministries. She is the author of over eleven books. Four of her books received the Gold Medallion Book Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, Just Give me Jesus, The Vision of his Glory, My Heart's Cry and God's Story. Her 2016 New York Times Bestseller is entitled The Daniel Prayer: Prayer That Moves Heaven and Changes Nations.