Christmas 2013

Thank you for
Praying for
Persecuted Christians
and their Persecutors!



And Jesus said, ?Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Luke 23:24


God bless you for praying for persecuted Christians and their persecutors throughout the world. Our Syrian brothers and sisters from many denominations are asking us to unite in prayer with them and for them. By God?s grace, may they be strengthened as we pray their specific requests:

The Syriac Orthodox Church:

• God?s protection over the Christian population
• The sick, the needy and the displaced
• Those who are kidnapped: kidnappings are happening to everyone, especially Christian leaders.

Father, we pray for the thousands in Syria who are in need of shelter, food and medical care, asking that You would sustain and protect them. The Christians are especially vulnerable and we pray for their safety. ?For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.? (Psalm 72:12) Amen.

The Baptist Church:

• Salvation and confession of faith
• People, especially believers, to remain in Syria and for people not to emigrate
• Protection of mind, spirit and body
• Physical and material needs: people are broken by high prices and are unable to afford staples for living
• The Druze community: God is saving them these days; pray for more harvest.

Father, we pray that the light of the gospel would pour forth in Syria through the Christians there, both in word and in acts of mercy. We pray especially for the Druze community that there might be a mighty harvest in their midst. ?For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.? (Romans 1:16) Amen.

The Armenian Catholic Church:

• Peace in Syria
• Those who are kidnapped, both Christians and Muslims, that they will be release unharmed
• God to shed His light on the country?s leaders to lead Syria to peace talks.

Father, we pray for the safe release of those who have been kidnapped, both Christian and Muslims, and that peace would reign in this beleaguered nation. ?He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free?? Psalm 146:7) Amen.

A Multi Denominations Group:

• The students that are in need; including college students who may be away from home
• The children that had to face suffering and pressure.

Father, the children and young people in Syria have known so much trouble in their short lives. Grow the truth of Your Word and the Spirit within them that they may stand strong and unwavering in a world that is filled with suffering and temptation to deny You. ?Since my youth, God, You have taught me and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds.? (Psalm 71:17) Amen.

The Alliance Church:

• Peace in the country
• Safety for the church people
• The role of the church to minister for both the physical and the spiritual needs of the people
• Comfort as so many have lost loved ones
• Protection for those who have been kidnapped, and for their release
• Healing for the injured
• Freedom from fear and depression
• Wellness for traumatized children who are going through a very scary time.

Father, we pray that You will protect and sustain Your church and that, through them, You would reach out to the physical and spiritual needs of the many around them. ?And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.? (Matthew 10:42) Amen

The Church of the Nazarene:

• Repentance and return to God
• Reconciliation among all Christian and Muslim denominations
• God?s glory and goodness over the country, and for Syria to flourish
• The bloodshed to end.

Father, we pray Your church in Syria would gather together in unity and be a beacon of hope, peace and reconciliation. ?I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.? John 17:20-21

The Silesian Catholic Church:

• Peace to return to Syria
• People have gotten hurt by this crisis: the situation keeps getting worse and the need increases
• The displaced that are suffering
• The families that have lost loved ones in the war
• The youth in Syria and the future reality they have to face.

Father, we pray against hopelessness in Syria, especially among the youth. Be their hope where none exists from a human perspective. ?If I say, ?Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,? even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day?.? (Psalm 139:11, 12) Amen.

The Roman Catholic Church:

• Unity among churches to stand together
• The children: their childhood has been stolen from them.

Father, we pray for the children of Syria who have had to grow up so fast, who have not known the carefree childhoods we long for our children to enjoy. Protect their hearts and minds. ?At that time Jesus said, ?I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.? (Matthew 11:25) Amen.
The Presbyterian Church:

• The release of two kidnapped bishops from Aleppo
• All the spiritual and religious leaders: protection and wisdom
• The future of the Christians in Syria and for them to remain rooted in their land
• The safety and peace in Syria.

Father, as we bring before You today the trials of Syrian Christians we take heart in knowing that no matter what they face, they can find peace and rest, body and soul knowing they are in Your hands. We pray for the leaders of the churches; we pray for Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim, head of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Aleppo, and Bishop Boulos Yaziji from the Greek Orthodox Church; whatever their circumstances, wherever they are, we pray Your wisdom and peace to rest upon them. ?In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone Lord, make me dwell in safety.? (Psalm 4:8) Amen.

The Maronite Catholic Church:

• Peace to this region and all the countries that suffer from crisis and lack of humanity and dignity

• The unity of the Christian hearts in Syria and the rest of the world
• Unity and openness among the Christian and Muslims denominations and all others.

Father, protect Your church against a hopelessness that would draw them away from You. Strengthen them in Your Spirit to sustain the ravages of war and bring peace to this nation. ?I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.? (Ephesians 3:16-17) Amen.

A Christian leader:

• Peace in Syria and for hearts to feel secure
• The ones in need: the poor, the sick and disabled.

Father, in the midst of war, bring healing in body and spirit, through Your church, and the power of Your Spirit. ? Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.? (James 5:14) Amen.

A Christian leader:

• Christian families and Christian life
• The children
• The young adults and youth during this crisis.

Father, we pray Your blessing and guidance on those who minister to children and their families during this tragic time in Syria. As war tears families apart, we pray Your protection over them.
? Jesus said, ?Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.?? (Matthew 19:14) Amen.




God of Compassion,
Hear the cries of the people of Syria,
Bring healing to those suffering from the violence,
Bring comfort to those mourning the dead,
Strengthen Syria's neighbors in their care and welcome for refugees, Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
And protect those committed to peace.
God of Hope,
Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to seek reconciliation with enemies, Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria,
And give us hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World, Amen