Syria | 11 February 2026
20 February 2026
Why is persecution increasing in Syria?
Syria now stands at number six on the World Watch List, and our brothers and sisters need our prayers. Here are some ways to pray and insights concerning the increase of persecution in Syria.
Syria has risen to number six on the World Watch List, having jumped 12 places since last year. Persecution against Christians has seen a sharp intensification since the fall of the Assad regime, and the church in Syria has been traumatised by events such as the tragic bombing of a church in Damascus in June 2025.
The environment in which our brothers and sisters witness for Jesus is characterised by tensions between religious and ethnic minorities. Christians are often caught in the crossfire, already vulnerable because of a worsening economic crisis. Hostility against believers is becoming more overt, with increasing instances of threatening messages being graffitied on church buildings.
Though some have been made to flee because of conflict, many believers remain, determined to be ‘salt and light’ in their communities regardless of what the future holds.
Ways to pray for Syria
Please stand with our church family in Syria and pray:
- That God will speak to the hearts of those who want to harm Christians and turn them in repentance to Him
- For peace to reign where there is conflict between ethnic and religious groups
- That God would protect His people across Syria from attacks and violence, and foil all plans of ‘the powers of this dark world’ (Ephesians 6:12)
- For continued physical and psychological healing since the traumatic events of the bombing of St Elias Church, Damascus, and God’s comfort to those who are grieving
- That schools that have been closed or are being threatened with closure will know God’s mercy and be protected
- For God’s sustaining provision to those who are suffering amidst the country’s economic instability and food shortages
- That, despite their shrinking numbers, the Lord would enable His church to be a radiant light of the gospel and bring many more people to faith in Jesus.
Please pray
Our Father in heaven, we lift to You our brothers and sisters in Syria who, despite many challenges and deep trauma, are clinging to You. Thank You for their faith, perseverance and witness to their neighbours and those who would wish to extinguish the light they hold out. We pray that You would draw near to them in their grief and uncertainty about the future of religious and political freedom in the nation. Give comfort and trust in Jesus to those who are afraid – help them to know Your constant presence. We pray for Your sovereign hand to guide the hearts of leaders to have compassion on religious minorities, and to act wisely in the face of injustice and violence. Would the light of the gospel prevail in Syria. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.
World Watch List
You can find out more about persecution in Syria and the other countries on the Open Doors World Watch List top 50 with free resources – you’ll find detailed information, ways to pray and how you can be part of God’s impossible plan around the world.