Syrian Refugees

With the conflict in Syria moving towards its 5th year, humanitarian aid organisations are reporting that there are now around 12.2 million persons in need of humanitarian

assistance inside Syria, including 7.6 million people internally displaced. In addition, over 3.2 million people have fled Syria into the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.

With no political solution in sight and military confrontation continuing, the number of people affected by internal conflict in Syria is likely to increase in 2015, and with the breakdown of infrastructure, destruction of homes and cities, even if people were to return to their homes, they would face huge difficulties.

With the work of humanitarian organisations often focussing on the overwhelming physical needs of these people, there are also many reports of churches and Christian organisations being able to reach out to the refugees, both with physical help, emotional support and, above all, the offer of hope through the gospel of Jesus, who, as a child was also forced to be a refugee.

From all accounts, there is a very real move of God happening in this war torn region of the world … a God who delights in bringing light to the darkness, hope to the hopeless and peace, not as the world knows it, but the enduring peace of the presence and love of God.

Let us pray for this region, for the millions of displaced people, including so many children, that they will come to know the Prince of Peace, the One who understands because He has walked where they walk, and who loves them with an everlasting love.

And pray for the church and many Christians working in the refugee camps and with the displaced people, that they will be channels of living water and life, reflecting the love of Christ through word and deed, and truly be lights in the midst of the darkness, whilst also being sustained themselves by the Holy Spirit as they work in often desperate situations.