During Lent as we approach Resurrection Day, a number of Christians choose to “give up” something they enjoy, such as a specific food or habit, to identify with the suffering of Jesus on the cross. One habit to consider adopting during this season is the admonition found in Hebrews 13:3: “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (ESV).

Open Doors Ministry estimates that more than 380 million Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution and discrimination purely because of their faith. This persecution is most severe in Asia, where two in five Christians face persecution, and in Africa, where one in five Christians are persecuted.

The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) exemplifies the severity of this persecution. Open Doors reports that 70 Christians were found beheaded in a church in eastern DRC last month. A militant group called Allied Democratic Forces, which has ties to Islamic State, initially kidnapped 20 Christians from their homes. When members of the local community gathered to negotiate their release, an additional 50 believers were taken to a local church, where the 70 Christians suffered the ultimate martyrdom.

Reports like this take on a new dimension when they involve people we know and places we’ve visited. While I don’t personally know anyone from this particular story, I have had the opportunity to visit this part of Congo three times, where I helped support their gynecologic care. One image in this report evokes memories of my visits.

As an OB/Gyn, my patients were women, and I remember being struck by their sheer joy in living life despite the surrounding poverty and political instability. They loved life, and they loved the Lord. Now, 70 remarkable individuals are with their Lord in heaven, while their families and friends mourn their loss.

Another country where Christian persecution touches close to home is Iran, my son-in-law’s homeland. Christians who are active in sharing their faith may be arrested and tortured by authorities attempting to obtain information on other Christians and developing churches. They need our prayers for protection from arrest and, if arrested, the strength to endure without losing their faith.

Few of us American Christians know what it means to witness or experience this level of persecution. Though some of our CMDA members have suffered a job loss or demotion at work as they stood courageously for their faith, I’ve fortunately yet to hear of any of our members being imprisoned for their Christian beliefs. We do have the courageous example of pro-life Christians who were prosecuted and jailed under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act), 23 of which were recently released.

Open Doors estimates that 4,476 Christians were killed last year due to their faith. Let us remember the 380 million Christians being persecuted worldwide during this season of Lent, and I encourage you to consider choosing one country on which to focus your prayers. Open Doors’ list of the top 10 persecuted countries can be found here. As for me, I will focus on Iran and the DRC, which are ranked ninth and 35th respectively on that list, praying for protection for the Christians living there, for an end to further martyrdom episodes and for the return of religious liberty to both nations.