“Syria, wait patiently for the Lord and He has heard your cry!“
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.(Psalm 40:1,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Middle East
Population | 21.56 million
Area | 187,437㎢, Bordered by Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Türkiye (Turkey), and Jordan along the eastern Mediterranean coast
Capital City | Damascus (2.5 million)
People Groups | Total 37 groups: Syrians 64.2%, Kurdish 8.1%, Saudi-Najdi Arabs 7.6%, Alawite 7.2%, Druze 3.1%
Unreached People Groups | 18 groups (31.9% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Arabic
Total Languages | 31
Bible Translations | Completed 17, New Testament 8, Partial 5
Religion | Islam 89.5%, Christianity 5.7% (Protestant 0.2%, Orthodox 3%), Non-religious 1.5%, Others 3.2%
Evangelicals | 0.2% (40,000 people)
》 About Syria
Syria came under French control after World War I and gained independence in 1946. In 1958, it united with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic, but the union dissolved in 1961. After a series of military coups, Hafez al-Assad rose to power in 1971. His son, Bashar al-Assad, succeeded him in 2000 and continued to rule. In 2011, widespread protests against Assad’s extended rule escalated into a civil war. Kurdish groups expanded their autonomy, while ISIS gained territory before being nearly eradicated by 2019 through coalition and Kurdish militia efforts. A ceasefire agreement was later brokered by Russia and Türkiye, but violence persisted, fueled by external interventions and ongoing airstrikes. The civil war has led to around 500,000 deaths and displaced millions. A devastating earthquake in 2023 worsened the already dire humanitarian crisis. In December 2024, the Assad regime collapsed, though the conflict did not fully end. Clashes continued, particularly in western regions. A transitional government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, was formed in January 2025, and a constitutional declaration followed in March, yet political instability remains. Today, approximately 14.5 million people face food insecurity. Over 9 million are in extreme crisis, and more than 5 million are at risk of severe famine. The refugee and internally displaced persons crisis also remains unresolved.
The economy has been devastated by years of civil war, resulting in extreme poverty and the world’s largest population of internally displaced people. As of 2022, about 12 million Syrians faced severe food insecurity, and 90% of the population lived below the poverty line. The Syrian pound had lost approximately 90% of its value. In response to the severe economic situation, the government has engaged in the production and trafficking narcotics, which has led to a sharp rise in drug addiction across the country.
Syria’s GDP per capita is approximately $ 1,200.
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalm 40:1-5, 9-10(NIV) 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. 4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. 5 Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. 9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. |
》 Prayer Points
1. The civil war in Syria, which began in March 2011, is still ongoing. The conflict between Islamic sects (Sunni and Shia) and the competing interests of neighboring nations has escalated into a near-international war, leaving the land deeply devastated. The instability continues, with ongoing clashes between government forces, rebels, Kurdish militias, and ISIS, as well as airstrikes from neighboring countries. During the war, Christians faced severe persecution, even at the level of genocide. Many fled the country, and only a small number remain. Let us pray that the Lord will lift Syria out of the deep pit and miry clay and set its feet upon the rock. May the church become a channel of God’s mercy and salvation to those who have survived the horrors of war.
2. Currently, there are approximately 2.9 million Syrian refugees in Türkiye. In Lebanon, while 750,000 are officially registered, the actual number is estimated to exceed 1.5 million. Jordan hosts around 660,000 Syrian refugees. Some have sought asylum in Europe and other regions, but many still live without formal refugee status or remain in unstable conditions. Missionaries in these countries are providing aid while also sharing the gospel, and some Syrian refugees have begun gathering in small groups for worship. Around 47% of all Syrian refugees are under the age of 18 — in Lebanon, this figure rises to 55%. There is an urgent need for global churches and organizations to help build and support educational infrastructure for these children. Let us pray that Christians and churches in neighboring countries and across Europe will open their eyes to the mission field among Syrian refugees. And may the Lord quickly respond to the cries of the Syrian souls who are earnestly waiting for His salvation.
3. The devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023 further damaged a land already torn by war. Global conflicts and disasters have made it difficult to deliver aid, leaving people in crisis, especially with food and shelter. Children, traumatized by the ongoing hardship, are showing signs of aggression toward others and themselves. Let us pray that God will use relief organizations and missionaries to bring the true hope—Jesus Christ—to this broken nation. May Syrians and all nations witness the miracle of full salvation that God works for those who trust in Him alone.
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