Syria: The death of a country?

The Economist’s headline in its March 1st edition painted a bleak and hopeless picture. Observers believe that the regime of President Bashar al-Assad will either collapse in chaos or may fight on from small enclaves. Either way it seems that Syria could fall prey to feuding warlords, Islamists and gangs. The Economist says that if this happens millions of lives will be ruined.

Already more than 70,000 people have been killed, tens of thousands are mission, between 150,000 and 200,000 are imprisoned, more than 2 million are homeless inside Syria and struggling to find food and shelter, almost 1 million are in refugee camps across borders. How can such suffering and injustices be allowed to continue.

The presence and witness of indigenous Christians in Syria, their contributions to Syrian society and their desire for a society based on mutual respect, justice and peace demands the prayers and support of Christians and the Church around the world.

How does Isaiah 61:1-2 ask us to pray for Syrians who are caught in the middle of such injustice and suffering?