10/19/2023   Syria  (VOM) Since the 2011 outbreak of civil war in Syria, hundreds of thousands of people have fled to neighboring countries, including Jordan. Many refugees have had the opportunity to hear the gospel during their displacement, and a significant number of Syrians have become followers of Christ through the witness of Jordanian Christians. Some Syrian refugees now worry that the government of Jordan is planning to force them to return to Syria. “I could be killed at the border,” said one Syrian Christian. Christians who are helping the refugees say, “There is a huge opening among the hearts of Syrians, but they need more discipleship and more strengthening in their faith.” Please pray… Pray that the Lord will encourage these Syrian Christians, give them His peace, and prepare them spiritually for a possible return to Syria. Pray that the Lord will give wisdom to those who are discipling these Syrian refugees. Pray for increased opportunities to share the gospel and provide discipleship to new believers.

9/16/2021   Syria  (VOM) Rama and Joseph have fled their home in Syria after threats from family due to their marriage. Rama is a former Muslim who now follows Christ, and Joseph is from a Christian background. When Rama’s family learned of their marriage, they complained to a police officer. The officer beat Joseph and warned him to stay away from Rama. The couple then escaped to a neighboring country that also does not recognize marriage between a woman who is legally considered to be Muslim and a man who is not a Muslim. Joseph and Rama have now applied for resettlement to a Western country. Please pray… Pray for God’s peace in their hearts while Rama and Joseph wait for permission to emigrate. Pray for their resettlement application to be accepted so they can move to a country where their marriage is legally recognized and where they can start a family. Pray that the Lord will fill them with His peace and guide them clearly.

11/13/2019  Syria  (ICC) On Nov. 12, the Armenian Christian community of Qamishli gathered to hold the funeral of two priests killed by ISIS on Nov. 11. A deacon who was injured in the attack noted that the incident happened at a checkpoint when assailants on motorcycles approached their vehicle and shot at point blank range. The assassination, and three bombings that occurred on the same day against Christians in the city, were claimed by ISIS. This resurgence of ISIS comes in the wake of the chaos generated by the Turkish invasion into Syria, prompted by the abrupt withdrawal of the US military. Also, groups sponsored by Turkey are continuing attacks in the area despite ceasefire and safe zone boundary agreements, which is impacting several Christian villages. Please pray… Pray that the Lord will comfort the families and church members of the two priests who were assassinated. Pray that the United States military will be allowed to do more to protect the Christians in the region despite their withdrawal from some areas. Pray that the Christians in Syria will not lose hope but will experience the comfort, strength, and peace of God.

7/17/2019  Syria  (ICC) On July 8, an Armenian Christian woman, Suzan Der Kirkour (6o) went missing, and her body was found the next day just outside of her village. An autopsy revealed that she had been tortured and repeatedly raped over an estimated period of nine hours before being stoned to death. Suzan was a gardener and teacher who often volunteered at her church. She lived in a Christian village, but most of the women have left because of violent aggression from the terrorists. It is widely reported among locals that Suzan’s attackers were members of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group. Most Christians have fled Syria, although they made up approximately 10% of the population prior to the war. Please pray… Pray that the Lord will comfort Suzan’s family and friends at this sad time. Pray that those who tortured and killed her will be convicted of their sin, and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. Pray that the Christians who remain in Syria will be strengthened, comforted and encouraged by the Lord and that they will show the love of Jesus to those around them.

5/30/2019  Syria  (VOM) A church in Kobani, Syria, is seeing many Muslims turn to Christ after becoming disillusioned with Islam and its violent adherents. “If ISIS represents Islam, I don’t want to be a Muslim anymore,” Farhad Jasim told NBC News. Farhad attends the Church of the Brethren, a church established in September 2018 and composed mostly of former Muslims. Farhad became skeptical about Islam after witnessing the self-proclaimed Islamic State’s brutality during the Syrian civil war. “It didn’t take me long to discover that Christianity was the religion I was searching for,” he said. Please pray… Pray for Farhad and many others like him who have embraced Christianity, that their newfound faith will grow and they will stand firm when facing opposition. Pray also that their relationships with their families will be restored as they show them the love of Christ. Pray that many more Muslims will realize that Islam is not the one true religion and Allah is not the true God, and that they will seek the truth in Jesus Christ.

5/13/2019  Syria  (ICC) International Christian Concern has learned that the Syrian Christian town of al-Suqaylabiyah came under heavy assault on May 12, 2019. Five children and one woman on a nearby street were killed as a result of heavy shelling. Eight others, including six children, were wounded. The deceased children were aged between six and 10. It is unclear who fired the rockets. Al Qaeda affiliate Tahrir al-Sham is active in the area, but some believe that the rockets originated from militants backed by Turkey. The Syrian Civil War has resulted in the death of thousands of Christians, who are often viewed as vulnerable, second-class citizens. Their villages have become a pawn in a greater strategy for the multiple factions involved in the civil war . Please pray… Pray for the Lord to comfort those who have lost loved ones in the civil war, and particularly the parents of the recently killed children and woman. Pray that the Lord will strengthen and encourage the Christians who remain in al-Suqaylabiyah and other Christian towns. Pray that the civil war will end and people will be able to return to their homes and resume their lives.

6/14/2018  Syria  (VOM) Five years ago, Ziyad, who grew up in the Druze religion, placed his faith in Jesus Christ. Since then, he has experienced persecution in a variety of forms. Following his conversion, his family immediately kicked him out of their home. He has been beaten, imprisoned, and even kidnapped for telling others about Jesus. He has also been slandered on social media for his Christian faith. Please pray… Pray that the Lord will protect and guide Ziyad as he continues to share the gospel with Muslims and Druze. Pray for his wisdom and discernment as he continues to grow in faith. Pray that that he will find a source of income to help pay for housing, food, transportation and other expenses.

10/2/17  Syria (Express Tribune) The Syrian city of Al-Qaryatain was captured by ISIS two years ago, where they also kidnapped 270 Christians and kept them in an underground dungeon before releasing them a few weeks later. Last year, the Syrian regime recaptured this city, but ISIS was able to retake the city during a surprise attack last Sunday. ISIS has been focused on removing Christian symbols, such as monasteries and churches, and many have been left in ruins by ISIS. ISIS is now fighting against Syrian troops. Please pray… Pray for Syria as it is still engaged in its long battle against the forces of ISIS. Pray for the people in these war-torn cities where so many churches are being destroyed. Pray for cities to be able to begin the rebuilding process as the Syrian regime takes back ISIS strongholds.

8/1/17  Syria  (National Review) Raqqa, the capital of ISIS in Syria, is being fought for block by block by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). A unit within the SDF, made up of Christians, Arabs, and Kurds, is fighting this battle in an attempt to liberate the primarily Sunni Arab city of Raqqa. The front line has moved deeper into Raqqa in recent weeks as ISIS refuses to give up their fight. Please pray… Pray for the freedom of Raqqa. Pray that Christians would not give up their faith even in the midst of this turmoil. Pray for the protection of soldiers fighting this battle.