[Today’s Prayer] Syrian bombings, not sectarian conflict but persecution of religious minorities

The deadly suicide bombing at a church in Damascus, Syria on June 22 (local time) has called for international attention to the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Syria.

The suicide bombing at St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church, which was in the middle of an evening service, killed 25 worshippers and injured more than 60. Among the victims were children.

(Omitted)

In her contribution to the British online current affairs magazine Spiked, Mrs. Jorge argued that “the attack was a chilling reminder to many religious minorities in Syria that ‘despite the fall of the Assad regime, their suffering has not ended, but rather has worsened,’” and that “this is not sectarian conflict but religious persecution.”

Syria ranked 18th on Open Doors’ list of countries where Christians are persecuted. In one of the world’s oldest Christian cultures, Christians are rapidly dwindling in numbers as they flee violence, threats and economic collapse.

“The disappearance of Christianity in Syria would not only be a humanitarian tragedy, but would mean the loss of one of the oldest expressions of our faith,” Ms. Giorgi warned. “Without immediate safeguards, Christianity in Syria risks becoming a memory, and the ancient churches in a country that once helped spread the faith around the world will become empty monuments.”

From 2014 to 2019, ISIS waged a campaign of terror against Christians and other minorities across Syria and Iraq. Christians were forced to convert, flee or be executed.

“ISIS lost its territorial control years ago, but the same ideology is now resurfacing in a new form,” she said. “If the international community does not try to uncover the ideology behind these violent attacks and distinguish between the victims and the perpetrators, Syria’s diversity will disappear. This is not a sectarian conflict, this is persecution.”

She added, “Syrian Christians are taking to the streets in mourning not to retaliate, but to encourage their communities with slogans such as ‘Lift the Cross’ and ‘Christian Blood is Precious.’”

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Source: Christian Today

I will exalt you, my God, my King, and praise your name forever (Psalm 145:1)

Two weeks have passed since the suicide bombing of a church in Damascus, Syria by an Islamic militant group, but instead of the situation improving, we hear that Syrian churches are facing persecution.

As the Sunnis seized power and the minority sects including the Alawites were not protected by the collapse of the Assad regime, the Syrian churches were also persecuted. May the Lord hold onto the Syrian church and pour more peace and faith into their hearts, so that their faith may be strengthened.

Although the persecution of Christianity continues, may the Syrian church strive to spread the gospel even amidst all this. When the name of Jesus Christ is once again praised in every corner of Syria, where the rumor of Jesus was once full, may the Lord come as the true ruler of Syria.

May the Syrian church boldly approach the Lord and rise up as a church that testifies to the gospel according to the Lord’s command. For this work, may the global church pray for peace and work together in prayer so that protection measures are put in place for the Syrian church, and may they send out those who will teach the gospel and the word with the hope of the kingdom of God.

So, may the Syrian church raise many disciples while looking forward to the day of glory after suffering, and may the Syrian people become a people who believe in the fulfillment of the covenant toward all nations and prepare the way for the second coming of Jesus Christ!