Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of The Voice of the Martyrs, shared this story in his book, Alone With God, a book of sermons composed while Richard was in prison:

What can a country boy, a city girl and a prison convict have in common?

Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 18 that they were to forgive those who sinned against them 70 times seven, an excessive number with which he meant that forgiveness should be unlimited. The issue of offering forgiveness to our persecutors has been central to VOM’s ministry since the beginning. VOM’s founder, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, often spoke of forgiving our enemies to reach them with the gospel, and he exemplified this approach in his own life.

In prisons around the world Christians are suffering today because of their Christian faith. Farshid Fathi in Iran. Chhedar Bhote in Nepal. Asia Bibi in Pakistan. They are praying and dreaming of the day they’ll be released; the sweet moment they’ll be reunited with their families.

In all the years of their marriage, Sabina Wurmbrand had never wavered in her love for her husband. But it had been many years since she had heard news of him in prison. There were even rumors that he had perished. But she felt God telling her to hold on and believe. Would they be together again someday?

One evening, when most prisoners were outside, the door crashed open and the guards flung in a pickpocket, known to everyone as "Fingers." He rolled on the floor, gasping and groaning, as I helped him to his bunk. Soaking a rag in water, I began to wash the blood from his swollen mouth. It seemed he had been pilfering from the kitchen.

I knew that I faced questioning, ill-treatment, possibly years of imprisonment and death, and I wondered if my faith was strong enough. I remembered then that in the Bible it is written 366 times—once for every day of the year—"Don't be afraid!": 366 times, not merely 365, to account for Leap Year. And this [the day of my arrest] was February 29—a coincidence which told me I need not fear!

In all the years of their marriage, Sabina Wurmbrand had never wavered in her love for her husband. But it had been many years since she had heard news of him in prison. There were even rumors that he had perished. But she felt God telling her to hold on and believe. Would they be together again someday?

In prisons around the world Christians are suffering today because of their Christian faith Farshid Fathi in Iran. Eva Abdallah in Tanzania. Asia Bibi in Pakistan. They are praying and dreaming of the day they’ll be released; the sweet moment they’ll be reunited with their families.