Syria

Key Facts:
Leader: President Bashar al-Assad
Population: 18.9 million (5% Christian)
Majority Religion: Islam
Type of Government: Republic

A staunch enemy of Israel and accused by the US government of supporting terrorism.

Syria's long history of Orthodox Christianity means that Easter is celebrated as a national holiday; but the relatively small number of Muslims who convert to Christianity often feel compelled to move or even leave the country to practise their faith openly – this in the land where the Apostle Paul was born and met the risen Christ on the way to Damascus.

Prayer

• Pray that Muslims in Syria will gain a true understanding of what it means to be a Christian, and have the opportunity to meet Jesus
• Pray that Syria will play its part and do all that leads to peace in the Middle East
• Pray that all Christians will be renewed by His Spirit and reach out in love to their neighbours.