Syria

Please pray with us for our work in Syria. Please pray for: - wisdom and energy for our partner Afaf and the team at the Hope Centre - the counsellors working so hard with children who have suffered so many traumas through the disintegration of Syria over the last decade or more - peace and joy for the children attending the centre, for progress in their learning and healing for their emotional wounds - positive relationships with families and local authorities - protection for everyone at the Hope Centre in an unstable region.

Druze in the Levant: Over one million Druze originate in the Levant region, calling themselves the 'Mowahidoon'. Their religion was founded on 9th and 10th century caliph and mystic teachings from Persia and Egypt. Like Alawi people, they believe in 'transmigration of the soul' (reincarnation). They are reticent to talk about their religion, don't accept converts and rarely intermarry with outsiders. Although they respect Jesus as a prophet, the Druze do not know him as Lord.

Alawi people of the Levant: The Alawites are a closed society, led by the 'Khassah', initiated religious leaders who learn the mysteries of their religion. 'Alawi' refers to their veneration of Ali as a manifestation of God; therefore they are persecuted by mainstream Muslims. The mountains have been a haven for such minority groups; today 127,000 Alawites live in Lebanon and 1.67 million in Syria. Alawites will not discuss their beliefs with visitors. There are few known believers, so the good news needs to be shared particularly with Khassah leaders.

Three months after the devastating earthquake hit, millions in Turkey and Syria are living in tents, collective shelters and temporary homes. There is acute need for healthcare, mental health and nutrition services, shelter support and safe water supplies. Please pray for those affected as they cope with life in the aftermath of the destruction, and for NGOs like Medair as we work to provide safe shelter and water, health services, essential items and mental health support.

Pray for BMS World Mission partners in Lebanon working in Syria, that they might both provide crucial relief on the ground but also offer necessary support to Syrian refugees in Lebanon who are grieving from afar.

Pray for a team from BMS World Mission’s partner the Baptist Forum for Aid and Development responding on the ground. Pray that rescue efforts will even now bear fruit and pray that God will sustain the team as they work to bring aid to those in desperate need.

Please pray for the leadership of the Turkish Baptist Alliance and the leadership of the Baptist Convention of Syria, that God would give them wisdom and strength as they grieve and respond to these tragedies.

When the earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria, our emergency response team were on the ground within 24 hours to begin assessing needs in Aleppo. We will be providing urgent health services, safe drinking water and sanitation and protective shelters. Please pray for those we are working with who are traumatised by loss of loved ones, homes, livelihoods or who themselves have been wounded. Please pray for wisdom, strength and energy for Medair and other NGOs as we seek to bring relief during this time of immense need.

TEN has been in touch with our partners in Turkey, who are keeping us informed about the situation and how to pray. They are not directly involved themselves but are sending funds to an organisation called First Hope Association, who are on the ground. For information on this organisation website: https://ilkumutdernegi.org/en/ We are keeping our supporters updated via social media. We are signposting people who come across our communications to give via those who have partners on the ground who are actively engaged. This could be through the First Hope Organisation, Stewardship or Worldshare, or another. Please pray for all the Christian churches in Turkey as they care for those affected by the devastating earthquakes and pray for those agencies that are actively involved in the rescue and restoration effort.

Please pray for Turkey (and Syria) following the devastating earthquakes in the early hours of Monday 6th February 2023.  The death toll is already over 25,000 and rising. The Union of Churches of Turkey are coordinating their response in the region. A partner there has informed us of people known to him who have been trapped under the rubble, some having died. A major challenge to the rescue efforts is the harsh weather conditions which show no signs of turning milder. Our partner has asked us to pray the Lord will work miracles because miracles are needed at this time.