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.

This month Emily Shurmer sits down with Egyptian filmmaker and writer, Maggie Morgan. They discuss how SAT-7's shares Maggie’s passion for human rights and how SAT-7 holds a place close to her heart, from showing her very first film, Asham, to her current role as SAT-7 Egypt's Head of Gender and Freedom of Religion and Belief.

During the conversation they chat 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. They explore the practical challenges of filming in the bed of a truck and how tradition and societal norms are impacting women’s experience of pain and suffering. Their conversation ends with Maggie sharing some of the most powerful conversations they’ve had on the show and how they’ve impacted her filmmaking. Take a listen to this fascinating conversation and hear how Today Not Tomorrow is empowering women to ask questions.

Watch the filmed studio interview at: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/in-conversation-with-maggie-morgan

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.

In this month’s episode we take a look back at what’s happened in the year since the Hamas-led attack on Israel. Conflict in the region has continued to escalate, leaving over 1.2 million people displaced from their homes; but amidst the turmoil we also hear from Christians in the region about how they are responding with love to the ongoing crisis and learn about the joy that SAT-7 KIDS is bringing to children caught up in war.

Check out our Advent resources:
o A Very Middle Eastern Advent Live (prayer event)
o A is for Advent (prayer guide)
o A Very Middle Eastern Advent (colouring and activity book)

Prayer Points:
o Please pray that a peace agreement will be reached soon in Lebanon and that the Lord will fill hearts with peace and love.
o Pray for SAT-7 KIDS shows like Jesus is our Strength, that help to bring hope and comfort to children affected by war.
o Give thanks to God for the “Count it Right” Festival and how it has strengthened faith and provided opportunities for people to worship together. Pray that SAT-7's broadcast of the event will share the joy of the festival with even more viewers.

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. Today we bring you the story of Jamil, a young man from Egypt. To pray with us every day, visit sat7uk.org/pray and download our latest Prayer Diary.

This month, with tensions high in the region and air strikes impacting thousands of Lebanese families, we’re bringing you an Emergency Country Briefing looking at Lebanon in more detail. We’ll look at how Christians are responding to the unfolding situation and hear from one of SAT-7’s directors in Lebanon, Sarah Soueidy, about how the team are keeping faith and supporting viewers.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for an immediate end to the conflict in Lebanon and the Holy Land. Pray that the Lord will fill hearts with peace and love, replacing anger and revenge.
• Pray for wisdom for political leaders and that international efforts to establish a peace deal will be successful.
• Pray for the bereaved, injured and displaced, that they will experience the Lord’s peace and comfort. Pray for protection and safety for those who have fled their homes.
• Pray for the SAT-7 team in Lebanon as they continue making and broadcasting programmes and offering support to viewers. Give thanks for their strength and perseverance, and pray that they will know the Lord’s strength and peace as they minister to others at this difficult time.
• Pray that You Are Not Alone will be a great source of comfort and encouragement to viewers in Lebanon, and that it will shine God’s light in these turbulent times.
• Give thanks for the churches in Lebanon who are helping those in need and pray that they will continue to be the Lord’s hands and feet as they support those seeking refuge from violence.