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

In a walled churchyard in the old city of Damascus, a small group of Syrians debate whether the time has come to flee one of Christianity's ancient heartlands. Members of a Christian community which stretches back almost 2,000 years, they worry that Syria's civil war can have no happy outcome and they face an upheaval that fellow believers have already suffered elsewhere in the Middle East. ‘The future is full of fear,’ said one man who gave only his first name, Rami. ‘We hope our fate will not be that of the Christians of Iraq, but nothing is guaranteed. Now we meet in church rather than cafes because we're afraid of being bombed.’ As evening shadows lengthened after a Sunday service, the young men and women found temporary sanctuary in the churchyard from the civil war which has already displaced many of them.

Pray: for our Christian brothers and sisters as they face the problems of civil war. (Ps.140:1-2)

More: http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/12/pope-lebanon-syria-idINL5E8KAKT120120912

Aleppo has seen fierce clashes between rebels and Syrian government forces, is Syria's largest city and is the country's industrial and financial centre. It has the largest population of Christians in the country, and along with a mix of other religious and ethnic communities, the city's demographics largely mirror those of the country as a whole. Alappo has been slow to enter the violence, and while activists say opposition has existed for some time inside the city, its relationship with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) is less clear. See: Open Doors reports, ‘In a church in Aleppo, children are singing and laughter fills the halls. Christians are providing a summer retreat from the trauma. Despite all the challenges they are trying to organize a daily Christian retreat for the six-week summer camp; having their meals together, playing and learning crafts, pray and simply having a good time together.’

Pray: for God’s power and authority to protect all facing fear of violence and uncertainty. (Ps.68:1)

More: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/prayer-updates/2012/%297-July/syrian-children-enjoying-a-summer-respite

There have been Christians in Syria since Biblical times and until recently the country has housed a Christian population of 2.3 million. Hundreds of thousands of Christian refugees fleeing anti-Christian violence in Iraq have also settled there. Until last year Syria was the one of the easiest places in the Arab world to be a believer. The churches could practise their faith without much interference and were respected by the Muslim majority and the government. Since 2010 Christians in Syria have been suffering grievously during the uprising against President Bashar Assad. *60,000 Christians displaced by violence in Homs. *Christian homes invaded and ransacked. *Evangelical school and care home for the elderly occupiedand shelled. *Kidnappings and gruesome murders. *Bombs in the Christian areas of Damascus and Aleppo. *Tens of thousands in urgent need of food and other basics. See:

Pray: against sectarian conflict and for improved security for all Syrians. May the Christian communities survive this season. (Hos.14:3)

More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/May/Massacre-Pushes-Syria-Closer-to-Civil-War/

Epic refugee crisis, brutal Christian persecution and international involvement has brought Syria into turmoil. The war has killed 100,000, displaced over 1.5 million and 6,000 are fleeing daily. The UN has not seen a refugee outflow escalate at such a frightening rate since the Rwandan genocide 20 years ago. Syrian rebels frequently target Christian believers for attack. Religious freedom activist, Nina Shea, reported a shadow war being fought against the Syrian Church. The ‘going price’ for a kidnapped Christian believer is $200,000 USD. The war is spreading beyond Syria. The Pakistani Taliban sent 120 fighters, with another 150 men arriving shortly. Lebanon's Hezbollah also sent forces to aid the rebels. Israel's military is preparing for war along its border with Syria. Two people died in Turkey from stray bullets and Turkey returned cross border fire - marking the most significant outflow of violence to date. See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23332527

Pray: for God’s protecting presence to envelop innocent victims against every force of darkness (2 Sam.22:3-4) and wisdom for world leaders striving to broker peace between the regime and the rebels (Prov.2:6)

More: http://win1040.com/post.php?id=1693&cat=Reporter

A Christian living in Syria writes, ‘The situation here in Aleppo is getting progressively worse. Yesterday, as all churches decided to have a united prayer day, the rebels sent three rockets - mortars. These exploded just a couple of hours before the gathering a few metres from the main gate of the church. No injuries; just a few damages here and there with some affected cars. But with all this, just to let you know that in spite all the rockets and explosions, more than 300 members and worshipers attended the prayer service meeting on that Friday. PTL. ‘

Pray: for that the Lord’s protection to be over those still trying to serve His purposes in Syria. May He be in control of everyday situations and may they know his presence continually. (Ps.109:21)