Persecuted Christian Recalls Supernatural Power in Prison

My name is Vahik. I spent more than 15 months in prison in Iran because of my faith – including almost 100 days of solitary confinement. Here is my story.

Working amongst drug addicts and prostitutes in Iran

My wife (Sonia) and I spent years serving amongst the drug addicts and prostitutes in Iran. The trauma these people face is devastating. Severe hopelessness and poverty leads to terrible life choices that haunt them for years. We were able to show them the transformative love of Christ and lead them to salvation and deliverance. By his grace, we planted churches in twelve cities until the government finally arrested us.

Persecution, prison and solitary confinement

I suffered multiple arrests and attempts to intimidate and silence me

The first time they arrested me they took me to the infamous Evin Prison where they immediately put me in 53 days solitary confinement. After that they moved me to the general prison population and kept me there for another two weeks. Then they released me. These are all some of the intimidation tactics they use to try to break resistance. The hope the fear of it happening it again will be enough to silence us. But the hope we carry is too great and the love for the people overwhelms and motivates us.

While I was out of prison, they prepared my court papers so they could formally charge me. Almost four months later, they arrested me again. This time they arrested my wife at the same time. They put me in 43 days solitary confinement in Hamadan Prison before moving me to the general prison population where I spent another year behind bars.

My wife planted a church in prison

They day of my second arrest, my wife and I were in our home praying with an ex-Satan worshipper and an ex-prostitute. Both had been saved and delivered by Jesus Christ through our ministry. We had the honor to lead them to Christ and disciple them. As we were praying together, seven revolutionary guards burst into our home and arrested us and put us both in solitary confinement.

My wife spent 38 days in solitary confinement and then a total of 8 months in Hamadan Prison. She led many women to Christ while she was there and planted a church right there in prison! It was not without challenges or heartache. Seven of those she led to Christ were later hanged (mostly because of previous drug dealing convictions). But we rejoice that their eternity was secured because of my wife’s bold witness.

I led a prison ward to Christ in prison

Prison conditions in Iran were brutal.

After my second arrest, I spent another 43 days in solitary confinement in Hamadan before being transferred to the general prison population. On the very first day, I met a person named Mohammad (names are changed for security). Mohammad was the ward leader in that prison. The ward leader is responsible for the discipline and order of the inmates.

When he found out that I was a Christian and the reason I was imprisoned, he was drawn to me, and we quickly became friends. Just a few days into our friendship, he heard the message of the gospel and, in tears, repented and gave his heart to Christ.

I used every opportunity I could to talk to people about Christ.

After about two weeks, my friend Mohammad (the prison ward) warned me to be careful, as the prison intelligence had asked him and a few others to watch me and see who I was talking to.

I healed the sick in prison

From that day on, I slightly slowed down my pace of evangelism in the prison. One night, while I was in our ward, I noticed a person with a scarf wrapped around his forehead. I sensed he was in pain. When I asked him why he had wrapped his forehead, he said he had migraines and experienced severe headaches once a week, so he used the scarf to alleviate the pain. I told him I was a Christian and asked if he would like me to pray for his headache.

He happily accepted. I asked if it was okay for me to pray in the name of Christ. He said he had a special reverence for Christ. We sat on the bed, drew a small curtain, and I laid my hand on his head and prayed: “Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask that you heal Ali’s headache. I rebuke this pain from Ali, declare your healing over him, and ask for your healing hand to be upon him.”

I remember that I prayed very briefly for Ali. After one or two hours, I noticed that Ali had removed the scarf from his forehead. When I asked him why, he said, “I don’t have any pain anymore.” I don’t recall him ever wearing that scarf on his head again. Now that he had been healed, anyone with pain would say, “Go to Mr. Vahik; he’ll pray for you. I had a migraine, he prayed for me, and I was healed.”

Now, instead of me, he was sharing with others what Christ had done through me and was introducing them to me.

I remember when the Pharisees tried to stop the children from glorifying Christ, He said that if these people remained silent, the stones would cry out.

Glory be to God’s name. No power can hinder God’s work on earth.

I saw lives transformed in prison

I have been a witness to the transformation of so many lives – even in prison. Some of these were really broken people, imprisoned because their own parents had reported them to the authorities because they were dangerous individuals and a risk to their own families too. Then when they came to know Christ, when you looked into their eyes, you could see the light of hope shining out! It was as if it was the first time that they had heard the message that God wants to befriend them. Their lives were transformed while they were in prison.

They were so completely and radically changed that even when free drugs were offered to them, they were not interested any more.

By the grace of God I was able to lead many to Christ while in prison and after my release, I have been able to keep in touch with them and see that they continue to grow.

Life after Iran’s brutal prisons

Christians in the West campaigned faithfully for our release. The Dutch embassy played a key role. Eventually we were set free and allowed passage to Holland. We had both paid physically for the enduring conditions we faced for so long. Malnutrition and other medical conditions developed due to poor hygiene took their toll. It was a bittersweet moment tasting the freedom we so longed for but knowing we will likely never return to our beautiful country again.

But God is our redeemer, our rock and our shield! He is our deliverer! He was good to us before our arrest, he was good to us during our imprisonment, and he remains good today.

Extreme stress under years of persecution had led to three miscarriages for my wife. Doctors thought she would never have children. But today we rejoice that we have a son and daughter to give further testimony to God’s healing power.

The churches we planted in Iran are still growing. We are still in touch with them.

Thanks to the global reach and digital network of Transform Iran, we are now able to continue to serve, mentor and minister to Iranians not just in Iran, but all over the world. I have had the privilege of preaching to millions on Satellite TV, as well as tens of thousands in digital church meetings via social media. Through Transform Iran’s follow up ministry, we are able to continue to disciple individuals long-distance, and lead and mentor others who are still able to serve inside the country.

Our hearts still beat for our country Iran.

One day, by God’s grace, Iran will be free again and the power of the gospel will penetrate every corner of that land. Until then, we faithfully serve wherever he calls us and lean on him for strength and for direction.