Praying for Syria

He rules over the nations, Psalm 22:28

 

Knowing the Sovereignty of God, and His wisdom in history can be theoretically faith-building, and yet experientially very tricky in a country like Syria.

At home, life is fairly well organised, and while there is poverty and a good deal of suffering, it looks different to the suffering here. Praying for the blessing of God to be manifest in individual lives, and the country as a whole feels easy at home. Prayers are regularly answered, people are healed, others come to faith in Jesus, and life is made better by Christian friends and community in and out of my life constantly.

 

But here, there are some significant challenges to praying for God to make a difference because it is hard to believe that this land can recover, turn around, and grow in a positive way. When you look around great parts of Aleppo, you can see destroyed buildings which were once homes and rubble-strewn streets which used to be the playground of young children. The loss is unimaginable, as is the accompanying pain and fear which must have consumed every person during the days, months and years of war.

 

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth… ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ Ps 46:9-10

 

However, it has been peaceful in Aleppo for several years now. This is evidence of God’s mercy and an answer to millions of prayers. The peace that most Syrians are now experiencing is a cause for celebration.

 

But… the evidence of the war (which has not yet finished) is unavoidable – it characterises the city. Seeing the damaged buildings has somehow permeated my chambers of faith, breathing a spirit of disbelief that God can and will bring more life, prosperity and hope.

 

In Syria, there is a bleak outlook into the future. With the worsening economic situation, yet more people are keen to leave the country in search of a more stable life elsewhere. With few jobs that support any kind of ‘normal’ lifestyle, and an ever-changing currency, it is difficult for people to imagine resuming the standard of life they once enjoyed before 2011. The simple task of saving money for education, or a house, or to invest is impossible, since money saved in the bank reduces in value each month. Life is not, of course, all about money. But the opportunities that money enables are big contributors to happiness. And big reasons why people stay or leave a country.

 

But… God is here, and His Sovereign power far outweighs the burden of a bad economy and conflict-strewn past. He is completely able to transform any situation in line with His will and intention. While there is no promise from God that He will restore Syria specifically any time soon, I am assured of His love and provision to all people individually.

 

Where I noticed bombed out buildings, my eye is now drawn to the people walking, the life that relentlessly continues, the everyday experiences of people just like me. There is plenty of life here, even though it provokes pity from an onlooker. There are plenty of evidences of God’s grace, if you look beyond the obvious damage. And the influence and power of God is no less here than anywhere else. My lens of faith just needs a clean and refocus.