[Today’s Prayer] “Syrian Christians face an uncertain and dangerous future”

Human rights groups have warned that Christians in Syria face an uncertain and dangerous future under the control of Islamist-led rebels.

The Christian Post (CP) in the United States reported the news, saying, “The minority of Christians in Aleppo, Syria, whose numbers have been greatly reduced due to years of civil war, now fear that threats and restrictions will expand.”

The Islamic rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and Britain, recently captured Aleppo and then took Homs and Damascus late on the night of the 7th (local time), overthrowing the Syrian government forces. President Bashar al-Assad resigned and left for Russia that night.

Since HTS took over Aleppo, many Christians have fled, leaving behind a small but solid group trying to preserve their faith and traditions.

“The coming days and weeks will be decisive for the fate of our communities,” said Jeff King, president of International Christian Solidarity (ICC), in a statement. “Christians with roots that stretch back nearly 2,000 years now face an uncertain and dangerous future.”

The Catholic News Agency (CNA) said, “Among the difficulties residents are experiencing is the deepening bread shortage and in many areas, drinking water is still not available.”

A curfew imposed by the armed group from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. further restricts daily life, leaving many residents, including Christians, feeling vulnerable. Small vans distributing free bread and water in some areas provide limited relief.

Many Christian leaders remain in the city, providing spiritual guidance and practical support to the community.

Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Mor Boutros Kassis and other Christian leaders have been communicating through social media and holding prayers and services, saying they are “encouraging the Christian population to wake up to the reality and face it with courage and faith.”

Meanwhile, Islamist forces, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, have pledged to protect civilians, including Christians. “Aleppo has always been a meeting place of civilizations and cultures, and it has a long history of cultural and religious diversity, and it will continue to be so,” HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said during a visit to the city’s citadel.

Yet fear remains among Aleppo's roughly 30,000 Christians, a number that is hundreds of thousands fewer than before the Syrian conflict began in 2011.

“HTS’s ideology and history give Aleppo’s religious minorities serious reasons to doubt their commitments,” said Christian Solidarity International (CSI), a Switzerland-based group, in a statement about the assurances HTS offered. “HTS has carried out frequent violent attacks and kidnappings targeting Christians throughout Syria, repeatedly killing them and confiscating their property.”

“Aleppo’s Christian community has historically been allied with the Syrian government, and the administration of President Bashar al-Assad, which belongs to the Alawite minority, has positioned itself as the protector of the minority,” CP reported.

“The rebel takeover marks a dramatic change and evokes memories of previous persecutions when the Islamic State (IS) ruled parts of Syria. Before its defeat in 2019, IS systematically targeted Christians, destroying churches and engaging in mass kidnappings,” he said.

Source : News

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. (Revelations 2:10)

We praise you, Lord, King of all nations. Lord, we hear from a region of Syria that has been suffering from civil war, and just when it seemed like the civil war was coming to an end with the victory of the rebels, we learn that most of the rebels have been identified as Islamists, leaving Christians in Syria with an uncertain future.

We proclaim that true peace is found only in the gospel of the cross of Jesus. We ask for guidance for longtime believers in the Syrian region to find peace in You and to move forward in faith and boldness in the midst of this situation.

There are churches in Syria who are chosen as remnants. May they be built up as churches that do not fear suffering, but are faithful unto death and receive the crown of life that You offer.

In the midst of a rebel-imposed curfew that prevents them from gathering for worship on Sunday evenings, we pray that You would encourage Syrian Christians to gather together in the church and that they would be strengthened in Your Word and grow in boldness each day.!

Also, guide the Syrian church to be a conduit for the gospel among Syrian refugees returning home after hearing of the president's departure.

May the global church hear the news and pray and intercede with the Syrian people. May the global church partner with the Syrian people to strengthen them in their future suffering so that they can stand strong as a beacon of light in the region!

May the Syrian people no longer suffer from civil war, but find true peace in Jesus and become a land filled with the sound of Your worship, and may they be established as a people who run for joy in the return of all the nations beyond the salvation of their nation!