Encourage children and youth in Syria

After the 2024 change in government, the mood in the country was initially one of cautious hope. Now many young Christians in Syria are losing hope for a better future. Most of them grew up during the civil war, and the new, Islamist-oriented government is intensifying their sense of insecurity and uncertainty.

Why young Christians in Syria need encouragement
From 2011 until the fall of the al-Assad regime in December 2024, Syria was ravaged by civil war. Many parts of the country have been destroyed. The economy is severely weakened. Insecurity and uncertainty mark daily life at every level.

The new government is pursuing a clearly Islamist-oriented course. School curricula have been revised to focus on Islam, and Islamic jurisprudence has been established as the primary source of legislation. It remains unclear what further changes this will entail for Christians.

Many adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 30 want to leave the country because of this uncertainty. They face hostility, often cannot find work because of their faith, and have few career prospects, leaving them with little chance of improving their current living conditions.

Pastors and church leaders are concerned about the youth. Ever since the attack on St. Elias Church in Damascus in June 2025, churches no longer feel safe, and many Christians – including young people – are staying away. However, the churches depend on the youth, and young Christians are missing the sense of community within the church.

Young people in Syria need encouragement to hold fast to their faith in the face of difficulties and to focus on God’s hope, peace, and justice.

Today you can encourage teenagers and young adults in Syria to remain steadfast in their faith and to place their hope in Jesus.

Write a them a short message to let them know you’re standing with them!

As you write to encourage these children and young people, use these prayer points to pray for them:

• Pray for their future in the country.
• Pray for their education amid the revised school curricula.
• Pray for those young people who face hostility and can’t find work because of their faith.
• Pray for Christians, including youth, who have stopped attending church after the church bombing in 2025.

How you can encourage them

• Write in simple English and keep your sentences short; three to four sentences should be enough.
• Be encouraging and include one Bible verse.
• Please show SENSITIVITY – do not dwell on the recipient’s plight, or share about the blessings of life in your country.

For security

• Do not make reference in your encouragement to Israel, or remarks about Syrian politics or the Syrian government.
• Do not mention Open Doors in your message.
• You may provide your name, but do not provide your full address.
• Do not send money or make proposals to help.
• Do not include photos of yourself.
• Do not criticise their religion or religious extremists, its government, judicial system, or political leaders.

Deadline to contribute
Please send your drawing by Sunday, 31 January 2027

How to send it
Scan and email messages to [email protected]