Did you know 1 in 12 Christians around the world face severe persecution for their faith? We don’t always hear about these acts of harassment and violence because restrictive governments or militants often prevent their stories from being publicly told.

Open Doors is trying to change this.

This non-profit was founded by Brother Andrew, a man best known for courageously putting his life on the line to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.

In addition to providing Bibles, leadership training, trauma counseling, legal advocacy, emergency aid and other support in more than 60 countries, Open Doors also collects research about persecuted Christians to ensure the world is aware of their plight. Each year, they release the World Watch List – a comprehensive report that draws attention to the top 50 countries in the world where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

And now, Open Doors is inviting you to hear and respond to these stories as well.

Today, Open Doors USA is releasing Pray for the Persecuted, a free app that will connect American Christians with persecuted believers around the world. App users will receive a notification about a prayer need from a persecuted Christian living out their faith in the world’s most difficult regions 3-5 times per week.

You’ll have the option to click “I prayed” to let persecuted Christians know you are standing with them in prayer, as well as the option to share the prayer request via social media to help share their stories.

Go here to download and try it now.