The troubled Middle East region has long been a difficult place for Christians to live. The Arab uprisings of 2011 brought regime change in some countries in the area, but so far there have been few tangible improvements in the daily lives of Christians.

In Egypt, escalating sectarian violence under President Morsi has made life dangerous for Coptic Christians. In Iran, members of house churches are now regularly detained, mistreated and pressured to hand over details of other Christians they know. In Syria, hundreds of Christians have made the difficult decision to flee their homeland, amid increasing waves of violence and targeted kidnappings. Please pray for Syria especially on Sunday 23 June, World Refugee Sunday.

This week please:

• Ask God to protect Christians and other religious minorities in Egypt who face increasing prejudice and discrimination in every area of their lives;
• Thank God for Pope Tawadrous, the strong leader God has given the Egyptian Coptic Church;
• Pray that good governance and the rule of law would be established in Egypt and for an end to sectarian violence;
• Ask God to protect Pastor Nadarkhani, who was released from death row in Iran last year but is still in danger;
• Pray for Pastor Behnam Irani, an Iranian church leader who’s been seriously ill since he was imprisoned for his faith;
• Pray that the perpetrators of sectarian violence in Syria would stop committing violent acts;
• On Sunday 23 June, lift up to God the Syrian Christians who flee their country in fear of their lives.

Middle East Day of Prayer:

Join us on 22 June in London for a Day of Prayer for the Middle East