Only The Lord Is Their Refuge
Refugees Suffering from Years of Civil War
The conflict in Syria escalated rapidly in 2011. With the outbreak of civil war and the emergence of the Islamic State (ISIS), Syria became the world’s largest source of refugees. Even after 11 years, the number of refugees has not significantly decreased, and more than 13.4 million people still require humanitarian assistance, with 5.9 million in urgent need of support.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), as of March 2022, Syria had 6.7 million internally displaced persons and 6.6 million refugees who fled abroad. Turkey has taken in the largest number, hosting 3.6 million, followed by Lebanon with 830,000, Jordan with 660,000, Iraq with 240,000, and Egypt with 130,000. Additionally, more than one million have migrated to Europe. According to the World Migration Report published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as of 2020, the number of forcibly displaced refugees worldwide exceeded 26.4 million, and Syria has remained the top country producing refugees since 2013.
Approximately 92% of Syrian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries reside in rural or urban areas, while only about 5% live in refugee camps. However, living outside a refugee camp does not guarantee stability or success. Over 70% live in poverty, with limited access to essential services, education, and job opportunities, and face little to no chance of returning home.
Millions have lost their livelihoods and are struggling to meet basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, food, medicine, and rent. The economic downturn has further exposed them to risks such as child labor, sexual violence, child marriage, and exploitation.
The prolonged crisis of over 11 years has had a devastating impact on children. They have been exposed to violence and indiscriminate attacks, losing loved ones, homes, possessions, and everything they once knew. They have grown up knowing only crisis and instability. Today, about 47% of Syrian refugees in the region are under the age of 18, and more than one-third of them are not receiving any education. The number of Syrian children engaged in child labor is rising at an alarming rate, having nearly doubled in Lebanon within just one year.
Despite the difficulties facing the world, the refugee crisis presents a unique and valuable opportunity for the global Church. Professor Scott Gustafson of Cornerstone University noted that as Syrian refugees flooded into Lebanon, the Lebanese church, which had to face unprecedented challenges, experienced remarkable growth. It transitioned from an inward-focused faith to an outward missionary strategy, expanding partnerships with other churches globally.
An anonymous Syrian pastor stated in 2016, “After the civil war, pastors in Lebanon and Syria have witnessed more Muslims coming to faith in Christ than ever before.” He further testified, “God is bringing Syrian Muslims—who had never had the chance to hear the gospel in their homeland—to Lebanon and Jordan so they may hear the good news.” Today, Syrian refugees are encountering the gospel in various parts of the world.
Although the lives of Syrian refugees and displaced people worldwide may seem overshadowed by darkness, God is still shining His light upon them. Churches must not miss this opportunity but remain faithful in its mission to be a beacon of light until the day when war ceases and peace is restored in Syria.
》Scripture Prayer
2 Samuel 15:13-18, 30-34(NIV)
13 A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”
14 Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.”
15 The king’s officials answered him, “Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses.”
16 The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace.
17 So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at the edge of the city.
18 All his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites; and all the six hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king.
30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up.
31 Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “LORD, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
32 When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.
33 David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden to me.
34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel’s advice.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Let us rely on God who,even in the midst of a terrible civil war and a miserable situation within the country, will surely grant salvation to those who believe. Even if all expectations and hopes seem lost in Syria, let us pray that they may still encounter the Lord who continues to love them and gives them the cross in their despair.
2. The civil war in Syria ended after 13 years, leaving behind immense suffering, but the land remains deeply scarred and devastated. It is still entangled in a complex web of ethnic and sectarian violence as well as political power struggles. Just as God heard and answered David’s prayer when he sent Hushai to Absalom, asking for Ahithophel’s counsel to be thwarted, let us pray that God will intervene in Syria’s clarge and small armed conflicts and destroy Satan’s schemes. Let us also earnestly seek the Lord’s true rest so that this war may finally come to an end.
3. Many Syrians have become refugees, living in camps and settlements in neighboring countries, while others seek asylum in Europe, continuing to wander without a place to call home. Let us pray that the message of the cross will reach Syrian refugees wherever they are—whether in refugee camps, neighboring countries, or Western nations—and that they will receive the gift of salvation. Since only God can bring true comfort amid their long suffering and pain, let us pray for their restoration as His people and His beloved children.
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