Feb 23 2012 On-going Violence Forces Churches to Limit Meetings, Open Doors Reports
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2012) – In the wake of a year of protests and violence, the volatile situation in Syria has brought great suffering to the entire population. Syrian Christians say their greatest need right now is prayer, according to Open Doors, an international ministry supporting persecuted Christians and religious freedom around the world.
The danger has prompted many churches across the country to meet only in daytime, many only on Sundays. On Fridays, the weekly Islamic day of assembly, many Christian schools now close. Because of rampant killing, theft and kidnapping of children, some parents have stopped sending their children to school. Syria also suffers a lack of fuel and electricity, an economy in shambles and few jobs.
"Christians' plights vary by place," said Dr. Carl Moeller, president and CEO of Open Doors USA.
"Damascus Christians seem to have the fewest difficulties; in contrast, many Homs believers have fled what has become a war zone."
Some Christians want to stay; others desperately seek to emigrate, said Moeller. Many say they simply cannot flee.
"Many believers tell us that Syria is where they belong and will remain, even if that means dying there," he said.
More than 80 percent of Christians have fled Homs, the city where fighting is the worst. Looters have invaded the homes of those who have fled. At least one evangelical church has been attacked. Those who remain have limited means of safe transportation. Few attend church services.
"Homs is a ghost town, and the situation of people there is not stable," another source said. “Everyone there fears for safety. People in the city don’t have resources or supplies. The situation makes a decent human being cry."
In some areas, the situation is relatively safe for Christians. “We come together to worship, and people have strong faith," one Syrian pastor said. “Currently, Christians are not under direct attack. But we don’t know if things change how they will treat us.”
Christians fear that if President Assad is overthrown, their plight will dramatically worsen. But Christians find strength in their faith, Moeller said.
“Please join Syrian Christians in prayer,” said Moeller. “Only God knows what lies ahead, but Scripture assures us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Syria has more than 20 million inhabitants with 1.9 million of them Christians. Syria is ranked No. 36 on the Open Doors 2012 World Watch List of the top 50 persecutors of Christians.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
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