Syria
Syrian Christians are heartened by the outpouring of prayer for their protection. They are threatened by Islamists opposing the Syrian government. The worst incidents have been in Hama and Homs.
A neighbourhood in west Hama called Mahrada, identified as being a Christian area, was overrun by Islamist armed men. They forced families to flee and occupied homes. Three men were shot dead before their families.
In Homs the same occurred on a larger scale, in a similar neighbourhood called Hamidiyah. There, tens of men were killed and 23 women were kidnapped and raped, before being freed when the Syrian army regained control.
People are gradually returning to their looted homes. Pray for peace and stability, as well as repentance, healing and forgiveness.
MERF
