Captive in Iran by Maryam Rostampour and Marizeyeh Amirzadeh

Captive in Iran: A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph amid the Horror of Tehran’s Brutal Evin Prison by Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirzadeh

Level of Difficulty: Easy read but thought-provoking and heart-wrenching

A pastor recently told me about this book, and once I began reading it, I couldn’t put it down. You’re probably familiar with stories about Jesus appearing to men and women in dreams in Iran. It is remarkable to hear of how many Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus. These stories remind me of the God of Abraham, who “appeared” in the pagan city of Ur some 4,000 years ago (Acts 7:2). This same God continues to reveal himself to people living in dark places like Iran.

This book will stir your heart and cause you to ponder afresh what it means to be a follower of Jesus. People like Maryam and Marziyeh put our trivial issues into perspective and cause us to remember that we serve a great God, who uses suffering and persecution for His glory. 

The reason the pastor told me about this book is that the Casket Empty Timelines have been translated into Farsi, the language spoken in Iran. The Persian Bible Institute worked on this translation project, and the timelines are available as free downloads on our website and through PBI. The Persian Bible Institute is currently translating the Casket Empty Bible studies and Bible study videos into Farsi. This organization works tirelessly and sacrificially to provide resources for Iranian Christians. I know the people involved, and they are worthy of our support. If you would like to give to this worthwhile project, you’ll find information on the Casket Empty website.

Book Overview by the Publisher:

Embark on a chilling journey inside one of the world’s darkest and most dangerous places: Evin, the notorious Tehran prison. Here, prisoners are routinely tortured, abused, and violated. Executions are frequent and sudden. But for two women imprisoned for their Christian faith―Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh―this hell on earth was a place of unlikely grace as they reflected God’s love and compassion to their fellow prisoners and guards. Against all odds, Evin would become the only church many of them had ever known.

In Captive in Iran, Maryam and Marziyeh recount their 259 days in Evin. It’s an amazing story of unyielding faith―when denying God would have meant freedom. Of incredible support from strangers around the world who fought for the women’s release. And of bringing God’s light into one of the world’s darkest places―giving hope to those who had lost everything, and showing love to those in despair.