Peanut Gallery: How do Christians survive as minorities in Islamic countries? Not easily… although in Syria, Christians have enjoyed relative freedom and autonomy and have integrated well into Syrian life.

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3.1-2 NIV

But the Sectarian Civil War  (pitting ruling Alawites against opposition Sunni Muslims) have caught Christians in the crossfire… and everything has changed. How to respond?

In this crisis, Syrian Christians have adopted this motto of a Lebanese pastor who lived through the heat of the civil war in his country -

Our loyalty is to Christ, Our submission is to the laws of the land, and Our love is to all. (With love from Syria….)

“In May 2011, International Christian Concern indicated that Christians in Syria were more afraid of the anti-government protesters than of the government itself, because under the Syrian Assad government there has been tolerance towards religious minorities.” (Wikipedia)

Please join me in prayer: “My people are hurting….”

• For peace in the country and an end to the bloodshed.
• For God’s rich mercies on the suffering people.
• For the safety and protection of the churches, keeping the church’s faithful witness.
• For wisdom and vision for church leaders.
• For the glory of the living God to dwell in the Church.
• To empower the Church to reach out to the suffering, to share the divine cure of the gospel, and to speak the word of the Lord in all boldness.
• That the evil powers of darkness will be defeated in our land.
• That the values of false religion will be exposed for what they are and despised and rejected by many.
• For many souls to come to know the love and forgiveness of Christ and to enjoy His saving grace.
• That the Lord would send wise, God-fearing counselors to the decision-makers in all parties in the country.