Army defectors attacked and destroyed parts of the Air Force Intelligence building in Harsata, (a major military base near Damascus). It is the Free Syrian Army's most high-profile attack since anti-government protests began. The rebel army was formed by military defectors opposed to Mr Assad and affirmed 15,000 members by mid-October, saying more soldiers and officers are defecting every day. They work alongside the Syrian people to topple the government and ‘stand up to the irresponsible military machine which is protecting the regime’. The government has severely restricted access for foreign journalists, and reports of violence are extremely difficult to verify. The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Rabat for the Arab League meeting, says reports of the attack show how the situation in Syria is becoming more serious by the hour. It is also a graphic illustration of how the conflict is moving close to being a civil war which might affect the whole region; rather than a fight between unarmed protesters and the government.

Pray: and call to God, for all those in distress, and may Jesus Christ reveal his truth and wisdom and change the hearts of those in authority. (Ps.55:18 & 139:20-21)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15752058

A suicide bomber struck the National Security building in Damascus during a meeting of cabinet ministers, killing the Defence Minister and wounding other senior officials.Defence Minister Dawoud Rajha, 65, a former army general, was the most senior Christian government official in Syria. President Bashir al-Assad appointed him to the post last year. By Wednesday the capital had seen four straight days of clashes between government troops and rebels trying to bring down the regime. The fighting is an unprecedented challenge to government rule in the tightly controlled capital. Minister Dawoud’s death will resonate with Syria's minority Christian population (about 10%) The Christians have generally stood by
the regime, and say they are particularly vulnerable to the violence sweeping the country. They are fearful that Syria will become another Iraq, with Christians caught in the crossfire between rival Muslim groups. Republican Guard troops surrounded the al-Shami Hospital where some officials were taken for treatment.

Pray:for God’s continued protection of the innocent Syrian population and for Russia, US  andEurope to help the country out of this hostile situation. (Ps.9:3,4)

More:http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/07/18/syria-bombing-defence-minister.html

Ravina Shamdasani spokeswoman for U.N. Human Rights Office said ‘The brutal crackdown on dissent in Syria has claimed the lives of over 3,500 Syrians. Since Syria signed the League of Arab States peace plan last week 60+ people are reported killed by military and security forces, including at least 19 on the Sunday marking Eid al-Adha. Bab Amro neighbourhood has been bolstered by a steadily growing number of army defectors. Canadian news ‘Globe and Mail’ reported Syria planting landmines along the border with Lebanon as refugees flee the crackdown on protestors. Syria is a regional nexus, bordering five countries with which it shares religious and ethnic minorities and in Israel's case a fragile truce. Its alliances extend to Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and Iran's Shiite theocracy. Turkey has opened its borders to anti-Assad activists and breakaway military rebels.

Pray: for Christians throughout the region to be protected, and for changes that initiate positive results. (Pr.14:11)

More: http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=244806&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%

Syrian state media reported ‘violence accounts were exaggerated propaganda’; however two government members resigned in protest to violent crackdowns. The Bishop of the Syriac Orthodox church, Philoxenos Mattias, said, ‘We are with the government and against movements opposing it, in Syria we don’t have problems like Christians in other countries. We have no problem with the president.’ See Meanwhile two Syrian bloggers recorded opposing views:- ‘The media is mistaken. I am Christian and Syrian and know that Syrian Christians are for the government. Sunni Muslims are trying to bring it down’ a different Syrian blogger wrote, ‘Christians are afraid they will lose the Allawites protection; the Allawites of losing their privileged position; the Asaads and Baath party of losing the millions of dollars from abusing their position and the Sunnis are sick of being second class citizens in a country where they are the majority.’ See

Pray: the Lord will accomplish His plans and purposes, bringing a smooth transition of power to leaders under His authority. (Jude1:25)

More: http://win1040.com/post.php?id=1199

Last Friday marked the start of Easter for Christians across the Middle East; tens of thousands of Christians have fled Homs to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. ‘We are following events in Syria very, very closely. We have personnel in Syria and we continue to pray for them’ said Arab World Ministries’ Christine McLaren. ‘Christians are suffering more than many in Syria because they felt a degree of sympathy with the al-Assad regime. The relative freedom to gather and worship that they enjoyed under al-Assad leaves them with mixed feelings about any change of leader.’ She added, ‘ People are afraid because Christians have felt a measure of protection greater than other Christians in the Middle East, but being aligned with the regime has now made them vulnerable to attack and identified them as enemies of the people.' Across the Middle East, Christians have been targeted throughout their ‘Holy Days’ seasons.

Pray: for the Christian workers resourcing and equipping the church, and may God do miraculous feats amongst this generation - pray for the extension of God’s kingdom throughout the Middle East. (Mt.16:18)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.training.continues.in.syria.despite.turmoil/29670.htm

On Wednesday security forces entered Damascus university dormitories, detaining dozens of students and setting fire to some rooms. Source: An Open Doors report said, Christians in Syria have been living in peace with churches practicing their faith without threats or danger in this Muslim nation for a long time. Since the Middle East erupted many small and other self interest groups have exploited the situation to achieve their agenda in the region. Extremist foreign fighters have travelled to Iraq and killed innocent Iraqis, Shiites, Sunnis and Christians. These same extremist groups have turned their Jihad to Syria, exploiting the situation to establish their Islamic Emirate. Groups have been entering houses and threatening many Christians and minority groups. Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Moallem denied that Hezbollah and Iran were helping the Syrian regime in its three-month-old crackdown on protesters. See:

Pray: that forces trying to turn Syria into an extremist Islamic nation will fail and Christians have courage as they resist fear and calls to flee. (Heb.13:3)

More: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/htmlemail/epa.pdf

Christians around the world are praying today for peace in Syria and the wellbeing of millions of refugees who have left their homes because of the fighting. Pope Francis appealed to the world's 1.2 billion Catholics to join him in a day of prayer and fasting for the country. In a letter to Pope Francis, the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badreddin Hassou, spiritual leader of Sunni Islam, welcomed the appeal and said he would be joining in praying and fasting for peace in his country. Orthodox leader the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I and the head of the World Evangelical Alliance, Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, have both backed the prayer call. The Bishop of Wakefield, the Right Reverend Stephen Platten, has also encouraged Church of England parishes to join with others this weekend in praying for peace in Syria. The Church of England has also published prayers for Syria. See: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18960

Pray: for Syria, its people, its refugees, its leaders and for the international response to be one that will promote peace. (Mat.5:9)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.worldwide.praying.for.syria/33881.htm#!

Carl Moller at Open Doors writes, ‘Fundamental Islamic groups have orchestrated violent protests against the Syrian government. This could result in a new regime even worse than the present brutal one President Assad. If a change of power occurs- the revenge of the Sunnis could be bloodier than the 8,300+ deaths that have occurred. Christians in dozens of countries around the world face similar complex dilemmas where they cannot count on governments to protect them. But they can count on the prayers of the church and the power of God through His Word to see them through whatever battles are coming. Leah in Syria said, ‘Before I didn't see the importance of prayer, then I began to see how the people of God are coming together in fasting and prayers and understand what it means to be the body of Christ. My faith is stronger because I am not alone.’

Pray: for Leah and millions like her who ask us to pray for their safety and courage. (Ps.31:2)

More: http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=56141.1&dlv_id=78982

As we celebrated Christ’s birth on the 25th, Christians in Homs were afraid to leave their homes in case they were shot by troops surrounding the city. A contact in Homs said, ‘Everyone is afraid of huge massacres and ethnic violence. There has been no electricity for a week and no fuel for heating. No one goes out because he will die. It’s a terrible situation. We trust that Emmanuel is still with us. On the night of the 26th Homs State television spoke of observers meeting the governor of Homs acting with, ‘ unexpected haste’ while the situation in Homs became critical. Activists posted videos of a four day assault with footage showing twisted and bleeding bodies in the streets. On the 27th tens of thousands of protesters bravely thronged the streets of Homs calling for the execution of President Bashar Assad shortly after his army pulled its tanks back and allowed Arab League monitors into the city.

Pray: for the peace of Christ to enter the hearts of the people in Homs and for all that needs to be revealed in Syria to be observed. (Ps.52)

More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iTOFpDQBI_4mEpl5HpEAKq0CnrhQ?docId=0ec767fd6560400790ab88d9a43e088