3 Reasons To Use Open Doors Prayer App

How often do we read stories about the persecuted church? You would think that in our world of social media, with information constantly available at our finger tips, that we would know more and see more about all kinds of things happening across the globe.

Do you know that 1 in 12 Christians around the world face severe persecution for their faith? That’s a staggering number.

1) Our Access To Information on the Persecuted Church is Limited

But, truth be told, stories of persecuted Christians don’t make the news that often. I can probably name a handful of times in the last decade that I’ve heard or read something either on TV or via one of my news apps. It’s not just on our end either. We don’t always hear about acts of harassment or violence against Christians around the world 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.

2) The Open Doors Prayer App Brings Information Directly To Your Phone

Open Doors is now inviting you to hear and respond to these stories.

Today, Open Doors USA is releasing Pray for the Persecuted, a free app that will connect American Christians with persecuted believers around the world. 3-5 times per week, 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.

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.

3) You’ll Be Encouraged To Pray More

Truth be told, I don’t pray for the persecuted church as much as I should. Perhaps it’s because I read headlines about people groups being persecuted for their faith and I often feel helpless to do anything about it. But I can do something right now. I can pray for them.

The Bible provides us with numerous examples of how Christians can make a difference for persecuted believers. One of the most powerful ways to support Christians facing hardship is prayer. In Ephesians 6:18, for example, Paul instructs believers to be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. In the next 2 verses, Paul requests more specific prayer for himself as he faces persecution. “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make know the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

Believers, let us pray for our fellow brothers and sisters in chains, and may we use the Open Doors Prayer App and other resources to make our prayers informed and sincere.

Go here to download and try it now.

To read more on prayer, check out our prayer study guide.