Send messages of hope to Iraq and Syria

Because you’re part of the Open Doors community, we invite you to support our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria by writing letters of hope and encouragement—letting them know that thousands of Christians are lifting them up to Jesus.

Each month, we’ll focus on a new theme as we write personal letters to our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria. Our partners will translate the letters into Arabic and then post some of them to a designated Facebook page. Believers who follow the page will be able to like, comment and share the content, giving them an opportunity to engage in Christian conversation with an online community of believers.

The story

In 2016, Open Doors began a long-term initiative called Hope for the Middle East to meet the needs of people who were displaced from their homelands or had returned to their communities after ISIS forced them to flee. We’re now in the fifth year of this campaign, which seeks to encourage Christians as they continue to rebuild their homes and communities—living out the gospel in their homelands. We want to see the church in the Middle East rise up again!

The need for hope and encouragement is great. Christians in Iraq and Syria struggle to find employment and rebuild their businesses. Others are still displaced due to war and threats of persecution for their faith. And both countries are recovering from hunger crises created by COVID-19 lockdowns.  

Current theme: Poverty

Many Christians in the Middle East suffer economic hardships and struggle daily just to make ends meet. Years of war, conflict, corruption and invasion have left countries with broken infrastructures and people struggling with basic needs.

Thankfully, our hope and help come from Him!

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalms 121:1-2).

Through the support of believers around the world, Open Doors partners with churches in Syria and Iraq to open Centers of HopeOpen Doors is partnering with local churches in the Middle East to open Centers of Hope to equip and empower the Body of Christ to serve 1,000-plus families through counseling, fellowship, discipleship training, food distribution, etc.. These centers help provide basic needs, discipleship training and vocational classes to help believers support themselves.

This month, let’s encourage our brothers and sisters by reminding them that the Lord hears their cries and that we are standing with them in prayer; asking God to ease their financial hardships.

We are One Church. One Family.

Photo: A church worker organizes supplies for Syrian refugees.

Logistics

This is a digital letter-writing campaign only. Please do not submit handwritten letters. Instead, we welcome you to use the form on this page to share your message.

Writing Guidelines:

• To assist in translation, please write in simple English and please keep your letter brief.
• Be encouraging and include 1-2 Bible verses.
• Because believers in the Middle East are facing struggles, you might want to share how your help and provision have come from the Lord. For example, is there a special prayer or verse that helps keep you focused on Jesus?
• Please show sensitivity; please don’t dwell on their plight or share about the blessings of life in your country.

For Security:

• Do not mention Open Doors in your letters.
• You may offer your first name, but do not provide your full name or address. Be aware your letter will be posted on a public Facebook page and may be shared on social media by believers in the Middle East.
• Do not criticize a country’s religion, its government, judicial system, political leaders or religious extremists.
• Do not make proposals to help.

If you would like to participate in more opportunities like this, you can regularly write letters to persecuted Christians in many countries by bookmarking and revisiting our website.