With the wars in the Middle East raging, we can easily be tempted to join in the chorus of political voices discussing the pros and cos of military action, or to try to fit it all in our favorite prophetic time tabels. It is all too easy to forget real people are being caught up in all this and there is an immense human cost.
But as Christians we should also be aware that the Middle East is full of Christian brothers and sisters. And they are hurting too.
There are ancient Christian minorities in Iraq, Syria and the Palestinian territories, which have been decimated in recent wars. In any new regional conflict they are especially vulnerable. Lebanon has a large Christian minority. Iran has an Armenian Christian minority, but also a large underground house church movement consisting of former Muslims. Israel has a Messianic movement, as well as ancient churches with believers of Jewish and Arab descent. And there are many expat Christians throughout the Middle East, including immigrant workers and missionaries, many with the Back to Jerusalem movement.
These conflicts bring untold suffering and trauma to many of our brothers and sisters. We hear of several young boys from the Iranian house churches who were killed by bombs while doing their mandatory military service. We are trying to help Iranian believers who have fled and now have nothing to eat. Many of our missionaries also had to run for their lives or are hiding in bomb shelters.
Regardless of hopes for a regime change in Iran (and in the Middle East a change of regime does not always equal more freedom for the churches, sometimes quite the opposite), this is a scary and painful time for the believers in the conflict areas. It is a time of mourning and we are called as believers to mourn with those who mourn.
How to do that? Let’s listen to the church in the Middle East. This week, as a terrible suicide attack ripped through a church in Damascus, Syria, killing dozens of fellow believers, the orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem gave a moving statement. It can help guide our thoughts and prayers for our brothers and sisters in Syria, as well as others suffering from the conflicts in the Middle East. Part of it is copied below:
“Our Lord Himself taught, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Today, we mourn with the families of the innocent whose lives were so cruelly taken, and we place our trust in the divine mercy that transcends human hatred. This evil act will never extinguish the light of faith kindled in the hearts of the faithful, for as Saint Paul declared, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8).
In this moment of pain, we call upon all people of good will to renounce violence and to embrace the Gospel’s call for compassion, forgiveness, and sacred human dignity. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
May the souls of the departed rest in the eternal light of Christ’s resurrection.
Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!”
