Syria is a country rich in culture and history, but after enduring a long and brutal civil war that raged for over a decade, communities are just beginning to rebuild their lives. After the Assad regime collapsed, new leaders spoke of inclusion and freedom, but for Syria’s religious minorities the future remains uncertain. In this month’s 7-minute Briefing podcast, we’ll hear how despite this, hope persists, and Syrian Church leaders continue to call for forgiveness and unity. We’ll not only explore the vibrant heritage of Syria, but also hear the stories of SAT-7 viewers that remind us that while the future may seem unsure, God is undoubtedly at work.

Show Note Resources:

• As Spring approaches keep an eye out for our Lent resources, like our brand-new colouring and activity book A Very Middle Eastern Easter which walks children through the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, while also sharing how Christians in this amazing part of the world celebrate Easter today!
  • Link to resources:
    • https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/a-very-middle-eastern-easter
    • https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/40days

Prayer Points:

• That Syria’s new leaders will govern with wisdom, and that they may have a heart for unity and peace.
• Give thanks for the end of a long civil war in Syria and pray that peace will be lasting and enable Syrians to live their lives without fear.
• Pray for Christians and other minorities in Syria, that the new leadership will seek to protect them and allow them the freedom to express their faith.
• Pray for Syrians who are bereaved or have been injured or displaced in the civil war; that they will experience the Lord’s peace and comfort. Pray for protection and safety of those who have fled their homes.
• Give thanks for the SAT-7 Viewer Support team, and the encouragement that they give to those seeking the truth. Pray for them as they kindly and patiently answer questions and interact with viewers.
• Please pray for SAT-7's ARABIC channel, that our programmes may touch viewers’ hearts and encourage and strengthen isolated believers in Syria.

Welcome to Voices of the Middle East, a SAT-7 UK podcast. SAT-7 is an international Christian media ministry bringing life-changing joy to the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Last year we had over 103,000 one-to-one conversations with viewers, and through these conversations we are hearing constant stories of the ways God is at work in people’s lives. In this podcast, we’ll share some of their stories with you, and invite you to pray for SAT-7 and the people of the region.

As a new year dawns in this episode, we’ll explore how there is cause for hope in the Middle East. A ceasefire has been agreed between Israel and Hamas; the ceasefire in Lebanon continues, and the new Syrian leadership promises to respect the rights of minorities. But while there is cause for optimism, many people in the region begin another year amidst war and uncertainty, with conflict continuing in Sudan and the fall of the Assad regime leaving many with unanswered questions and an ongoing search for justice.

Resources:

Check out our latest In Conversation podcast, where Emily talks to Egyptian filmmaker Maggie Morgan about Maggie’s latest project, SAT-7 ARABIC programme Today Not Tomorrow, that’s filmed on the back of a lorry as it travels around communities in Egypt asking the questions that no one else is asking.

Prayer Points:

• Please pray for wisdom for Syria’s new leaders, that they may have a heart for unity and peace, and that they will seek to protect the freedoms of Christians and other minorities in Syria.
• Give thanks for the ceasefire deals in Lebanon and the Holy Land and pray that they will lead to permanent peace deals.
• Pray for an immediate end to the conflict in Sudan; that those facing hunger and persecution may be filled with the hope of the Spirit and be able to find courage and strength during this time.
• Pray for the bereaved, injured and displaced across the Middle East and North Africa, that they will experience the Lord’s peace and comfort. Pray for protection and safety of those who have fled their homes.
• Please pray for the SAT-7's ministry in 2025, that our programmes may touch viewers’ hearts and encourage and strengthen isolated believers across the MENA region.