Throughout Lent, were going to pray over all of the regions where CSW works, starting with the Middle East.

Christians in the region continue to face daily threats. In Syria the threat of violent attacks by Daesh (Islamic State) continues to be a daily concern for the Syrian people, especially for religious minorities and others who don’t share Daesh’s extremist ideology. Meanwhile, in Egypt, Coptic Christians in Upper Egypt continue to be forced from their homes and threatened.

In Iran, Christians continue to face abduction, execution and arrest. Towards the end of last year, 14 Christians were arrested near Tehran following a raid on their house church. The situation for religious minorities is gradually worsening, and Iran executes more people per capita than any other country – more than 1,000 people since 2014, a 12-year high.

This week, please pray:

• For Christians in Iran, that God would strengthen them as they face increasing repression in an already dangerous situation;
• That President Rouhani would fulfil his election promises of improving human rights in Iran;
• For God to protect Christians in Syria facing the threat of Daesh (Islamic State);
• That God would bring peace and comfort to Christians in the Middle East
• Pray for Copts forced from their homes in Egypt: that they would find somewhere where they can live in safety;
• On 8 February, International Women’s Day, please pray in particular for Christian women who suffer for their faith;
• Pray that politicians and decision makers from various countries would join forces to effect long-term change, to bring peace and stability to this troubled region.