"It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." -Acts 12:1-5
Syria is a predominantly Muslim nation located in the Middle East. Syria is bordered by the nations of Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel. The Mediterranean Sea is along the Northwest border.
Approximately 90.1% of the population are Muslim with only 5.9% being Christian. The Voice of the Martyrs characterizes Syria as a Restricted nation meaning that government sanctioned circumstances or anti-Christian laws lead to Christians being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties because of their witness. Restricted also include countries where government policy or practice prevents Christians from obtaining Bibles or other Christian literature.
Syria is listed as number six on Open Doors USA 2017 World Watch List due to its severe persecution of Christians.
ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) began seizing control of territory in Syria after anti-government protests escalated into a full-scale civil war in 2011. Large swaths of Syrian territory remain in the hands of Islamist rebel groups. Since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011, it is estimated that over 475,000 people have been killed, more than 4.5 million people have had to flee the country and 6.5 million people are internally displaced inside Syria.
ISIS threatens to eradicate ethnic and religious minorities within Syria and Iraq, causing Christians within these areas to be targeted. Christian villages have been overrun, churches destroyed and believers have been abused or driven out.
Please pray for our Syrian brothers and sisters in Christ:
- “We have nothing but…the fellowship of the believers” –Yusuf, Syrian Christian. Pray for fellowship with other believers to help them stay strong and encouraged.
- Pray for front-line workers who are providing aid and the Gospel to Syrian refugees while working among Islamic extremists.
- Pray for new Muslim-background believers who are targeted for their faith.
- Pray that Christians will follow Christ’s example to love and forgive their attackers.
- As high numbers of radical Islamists see hope in Jesus and nominal Christians turn to God, pray the Lord will equip the church, disciple new believers and equip them to have knowledge of the Word of God and be rooted in the Gospel.
- “God has called us to serve our people in this time and this place. We have no desire to leave Syria.”- Syrian Christian leader. Pray for Christian leaders who are committed to staying in Syria to serve the Syrian people.
- Pray for Christian Syrians who are unable to leave because they don’t have money, a visa or an exit strategy. Pray that they will find protection under God’s hand, be a Christian voice and a witness for Christ throughout the nation.
- Pray for the global church to view Syrian refugees as an opportunity to reach them with the Gospel and to step into action.
The Voice of the Martyrs
1815 SE Bison Rd.
Bartlesville, OK 74006
www.persecution.com
Open Doors USA
PO Box 27001
Santa Ana, CA 92799
www.opendoorsusa.org
Country information provided by The Voice of the Martyrs Global Report, Open Doors USA World Watch List and BBC News.
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