“Ongoing conflict in Syria” is a phrase that many of us have become hardened to. But the chemical attack that took place in Douma last week confronted us with new levels of cruelty and suffering. We’ve seen images of children wailing as suspected chlorine gas is rinsed from their bodies. And we’ve heard stories of gas infiltrating basements in which civilians sheltered from bombing. It is truly horrific. More than 40 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds more injured — the full impact is yet to be confirmed.
Our hearts break at the cruelty, and we are right to be angry at the injustice and corruption that leads to these events. It is easy to feel completely helpless—but we are not. When we pray, we are crying out to the Sovereign Lord of the universe, and we can be confident that he will hear us.
Here are five ways to pray in light of the recent events in Syria:
Pray for physical and emotional healing of those who were directly harmed by the attack.
Pray that as God heals their wounds, he would bring them to know “the God of all comfort” and his “perfect love [that] drives out fear” (2 Corinthians 1 v 3; 1 John 4 v 18).
Pray that Syrian Christians would be strengthened through this trial.
Pray that Christians would find comfort in God.
Pray that your brothers and sisters wouldn’t lose sight of the victory won for them at the cross, and that their eyes would be fixed on their eternal hope in Christ.
Pray that God would change the hearts of those in power, that they would no longer mistreat their own citizens.
Pray for wisdom for other world leaders who are involved—pray that they would make good decisions that benefit Syrians and resolve problems.
Pray for peace and an end to fighting in Syria. It sounds impossible, but “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19 v 26).
Pray for those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that in the depths of their suffering, they would hear about the Servant King who knows the pain that they are experiencing and wants a relationship with them.
Pray that in heaven, we will meet many Syrians who came to Christ during conflict and trial.
Pray that those who have been forced to leave their homes would find safe housing for the short and long term.
Pray that they would be warmly welcomed into new communities—especially by the churches there—and that they would be able to live without fear.
For more fresh ideas on how to pray for events around the world, get a copy of 5 Things to Pray for Your World by Rachel Jones
Eleanor is a Digital Marketing Assistant for The Good Book Company. She studied English Literature at the University of Birmingham and interned in a handful of different publishing houses before joining the company.
