SYRIA: WHY IS PERSECUTION INCREASING?

Syria has risen to number six on the World Watch List, having jumped 12 places since last year. Persecution against Christians has seen a sharp intensification since the fall of the Assad regime, and the church in Syria has been traumatised by events such as the tragic bombing of a church in Damascus in June 2025.

The environment in which our brothers and sisters witness for Jesus is characterised by tensions between religious and ethnic minorities. Christians are often caught in the crossfire, already vulnerable because of a worsening economic crisis. Hostility against believers is becoming more overt, with increasing instances of threatening messages being graffitied on church buildings.

Though some have been made to flee because of conflict, many believers remain, determined to be ‘salt and light’ in their communities regardless of what the future holds.

Ways to pray for Syria

Please stand with our church family in Syria and pray:

• That, despite their shrinking numbers, the Lord would enable His church to be a radiant light of the gospel and bring many more people to faith in Jesus.
• That God will speak to the hearts of those who want to harm Christians and turn them in repentance to Him
• For peace to reign where there is conflict between ethnic and religious groups
• That God would protect His people across Syria from attacks and violence, and foil all plans of ‘the powers of this dark world’ (Ephesians 6:12)
• For continued physical and psychological healing since the traumatic events of the bombing of St Elias Church, Damascus, and God’s comfort to those who are grieving
• That schools that have been closed or are being threatened with closure will know God’s mercy and be protected
• For God’s sustaining provision to those who are suffering amidst the country’s economic instability and food shortages