The city of Damascus, Syria’s capital, has been inhabited since the third millennium B.C. Here a newly converted Paul preached the gospel. Here the first Islamic caliphate was established in the year 661. Over the years, Muslim rulers subjugated, drove out, and dominated the Christian majority. Today 89% of Syria’s 23 million people are Muslims, while the estimated number of Christians ranges from 2.8 to 5.4% of the population. Most of these belong to traditional churches; the few evangelical believers (estimated at 0.17%), are foreigners or converts from Islam. Christians in general are targets of Islamic extremists, and those who have left Islam and/or are part of non-traditional (evangelical, Pentecostal) churches face oppression from the government and from family.

 

Let’s pray for Syria.

• Civil war here is now in its 14th year, and Syrians are war-weary. Most Christians have fled, but some have stayed to minister to their countrymen. Pray God would use His people to bring many into the Kingdom.

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• The earthquake that rocked Turkey and northern Syria in February 2023 left some 3.5 million people in Syria alone destitute and traumatized. Pray for strength and resources for churches and believers who continue to care for victims, and that through their witness many would find Jesus and the total healing and life He gives.

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• Pray for the leaders and the various actors in the political/religious civil war, that the Holy Spirit would move in their lives and hearts, reveal Jesus to them, and draw them back to the Father.