Pray for Syria

Learn about and pray for Syria in just 5 minutes per week!

Receive one email per week for 13 weeks about Syria’s history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.

WEEK 1

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Prayercast

Pray along with a local believer for their nation.

WEEK 2

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Operation World

Pray through Operation World's country profile.

WEEK 3

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World Watch List

Pray through the country's persecution profile.

WEEKS 4-13

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People Groups

Pray for the country's 10 largest unreached people groups.

Introduction

Syria, often associated with war and tragedy, has a rich history that predates its turmoil. The ancient city of Damascus, one of the oldest inhabited areas globally, showcases its historical significance. Syria’s fertile Mediterranean coast historically played a crucial role in its agriculture and tourism-based economy. However, the nation plunged into a relentless civil war in 2011, resulting in unparalleled human displacement and an unimaginable death toll.

This complex and multifaceted conflict involves various factions, including armed opposition groups, rebels, the Islamic State, and the Kurds. War crimes, including chemical warfare, have caused indescribable suffering among Syrian civilians. The humanitarian crisis has led to one of the largest refugee exoduses in recent history, with millions seeking refuge in neighboring countries and worldwide.

Syria needs the peace that only Christ can provide. Islam is the dominant religion, and the once stable Christian population has faced severe persecution due to the conflict. Still, out of the ashes of destruction, new life is emerging, drawing Syrians to faith in Christ, offering hope amid turmoil.

Syrian girl holding a Syrian flag
map of Syria in the Middle East

Fast Facts

Capital City: Damascus

Population: 23 million (35% unreached)

People Groups: 37

Unreached People Groups: 18

Frontier People Groups: 8

10/40 Window: Yes

map of people groups in Syria

Major People Groups: 77% Syrian Arab; 8% Western Kurd (Kurmanji); 7% Bedouin Arab

Major Religions: Islam 94%

Language: Arabic

GDP Per Capita: $2,900

Literacy Rate: 86%

Did you know? The first alphabet, known as the Phoenician alphabet, was developed in ancient Syria.

Pray for the unreached people groups of Syria

The Syrian Arabs are technically “minimally reached” instead of “unreached” according to Joshua Project, but we included them in this list because they make up over half of the population of Syria and are only 0.16% Evangelical.

Below are the 10 largest unreached people groups in Syria:

 

Name Religion Population
1. Syrian Arab Islam 14,227,000
2. Middle-Eastern Turkmen Islam 1,814,000
3. Alawite Islam 1,674,000
4. Kurmanji Kurd Islam 1,583,000
5. Saudi Nadji Arab Islam 1,410,000
6. Druze Other / Small 725,000
7. North Iraqi Arab Islam 465,000
8. Levantine Bedouin Islam 82,000
9. Iraqi Arab Islam 57,000
10. Persian Islam 54,000

 

Pray for Christians being persecuted

Syria is ranked #12 on the 2024 World Watch List published by Open Doors.

Years of conflict and instability have created an environment in which persecution can flourish with impunity.

In the few areas controlled by Islamic militants, leaders of traditional churches are particularly targeted for kidnap or attack, and most church buildings have either been demolished or repurposed as Islamic centers. Even in government- controlled areas, evangelism is seen as a threat to social stability and is therefore heavily suppressed.

 

World Watch List

You can learn about Christian persecution and pray for our brothers and sisters who being persecuted around the world by praying through the Open Doors’ World Watch List.

 

[God] has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Paul

2 Corinthians 1:10-11

Pray for Syria

 “Slow drip” your learning and prayers for  Syria: its history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.