[Today’s Prayer] Syria cancels Easter events due to violence targeting Christians

Recent violence against Christians in Syria has led to the cancellation of Easter events.

According to Christian Daily International (CDI), the incident reportedly began when two Muslim men from a nearby village started harassing Christian women near Suqaylabiyah. In response, Christian men from the village drove them out, but the men later returned with dozens of others on motorcycles, some of whom were armed.

The mob then destroyed a local Church of the Virgin Mary and attacked shops, homes, and vehicles, with reports that some security personnel also took part.

Although Syria’s current government, controlled by an al-Qaeda-affiliated faction, has stated that it respects the rights of minorities, it has struggled to fulfill this promise due to the reality of numerous armed groups operating across the country after more than a decade of civil war.

Government forces intervened in the incident and succeeded in preventing further attacks on the village. However, due to the violence, the Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox Church, and Syriac Orthodox Church all announced the cancellation of their planned Easter events.

A Christian group for peace in Syria issued a statement urging all Syrians—across religious and ethnic lines—to maintain unity and reject sectarianism and division, while calling on the Syrian government to initiate a serious national dialogue plan and swiftly carry out processes for accountability and transitional justice.

They also urged Syrian authorities to enact laws that criminalize sectarianism and hate speech.

source: Christian Today

“In spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit, and so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6–7)

We hear the heartbreaking news that violence targeting Christians in a village near Suqaylabiyah, Syria, has led to the cancellation of Easter events.

Although Syria’s current government has stated that it will respect the rights of minorities, the ongoing civil war of more than a decade has made it difficult to control the many armed groups operating in different regions. Lord, we ask that You grant wisdom to govern Syria and lead the way for measures to protect our brothers and sisters there.

Even if Easter events are canceled, let the churches in Syria remember that Jesus Christ has overcome death and risen again, and that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations before His return. Let them be all the more devoted to proclaiming the gospel.

In the midst of such suffering, help them to remember Your word—to love even their enemies and to forgive seventy times seven—and strive to follow Your example. Let the Syrian church bless Syrian Muslims in the name of Jesus and become a model to all believers.

Through the Syrian church, let Syria rise as a spiritual leader in the Arab world, becoming a nation that brings blessing among the nations and sparks a spiritual revival.