The whole Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been on high alert in the last few weeks. Suffering continues in the Holy Land as Gaza’s only Catholic church was bombed last week, and a suicide bombing in a Damascus church has sent shockwaves through Syria’s minority Christian community. Despite a fragile ceasefire, tension remains high after the launch of airstrikes on Iran in June and the subsequent retaliatory attacks.

Show Note Resources:

“Our Hope is You” – Believers across the Arab world gather for a night of prayer for their region: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdB_sHNYRpM

Read the full Middle East Briefing for July: https://www.sat7uk.org/middle-east-briefing-churches-under-attack

Catch up on our full “Pray for Iran” event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hCgoClAzjY

“Filming these stories was sacramental work” – an open letter by Maggie Morgan https://www.sat7uk.org/filming-refugee-stories/

Prayer Points:

• Pray for the tiny population of Christians in Gaza, especially in the wake of a recent attack on the Holy Family Church.
• Pray for peace and unity in Syria, and for God’s supernatural comfort for those who lost loved ones in the attack on St Elias Church.
• Pray that the ceasefire in Iran will hold, and that Iranian Christians will hold on to their faith in Christ even in troubling times.
• Give thanks that SAT-7 is raising the voices of refugees and calling for kindness. Pray for the ongoing impact of the video campaign.
• Pray for all SAT-7’s viewers in the MENA who are experiencing despair and hopelessness in the face of recent violence and uncertainty. Ask that SAT-7 will continue to make programmes that speak out God’s love and joy to millions across the region.

Welcome to Voices of the Middle East, a SAT-7 UK podcast. SAT-7 is an international Christian media ministry bringing life-changing joy to the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Last year we had over 103,000 one-to-one conversations with viewers, and through these conversations we are hearing constant stories of the ways God is at work in people’s lives. In this podcast, we’ll share some of their stories with you, and invite you to pray for SAT-7 and the people of the region.

Türkiye is a nation that bridges East and West. It was once the heart of early Christianity and is home to many foundational moments in the Church’s story – from the journeys of the Apostle Paul to the Council of Nicaea. Yet today, Christianity is often misunderstood and marginalised among Turks. This briefing explores Türkiye’s Christian heritage, its complex modern landscape, and the impact of SAT-7 TÜRK – a Christian television channel that this year celebrates a decade of boldly sharing the love of Christ with Turkish-speakers on Türkiye’s national satellite.

Show Note Resources:

Prayer Points:

• For a Turkish Church that is well-connected, united, full of love, and standing firm in Jesus.
• For wisdom and safety in Türkiye in the wake of earthquakes and protests.
• For the team at SAT-7 TÜRK, that they may be encouraged and supported as they work to represent the Christian faith in Türkiye in an accurate, loving and understandable way.
• Give thanks for SAT-7 TÜRK and pray that viewers will continue to be encouraged and supported, so that they may grow in faith and fellowship.

Why “Türkiye” and not “Turkey”?

You might notice that we spell ‘Turkey’ as ‘Türkiye’. In 2022, the UN accepted the country’s request for its name to be internationally recognised as Türkiye. As an international broadcaster, and one that has a presence in the country, SAT-7 has decided to adopt this change.

Welcome to Voices of the Middle East, a SAT-7 UK podcast. SAT-7 is an international Christian media ministry bringing life-changing joy to the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Last year we had over 103,000 one-to-one conversations with viewers, and through these conversations we are hearing constant stories of the ways God is at work in people’s lives. In this podcast, we’ll share some of their stories with you, and invite you to pray for SAT-7 and the people of the region.

In this month’s episode... from ongoing conflict in Gaza and Sudan to Türkiye’s earthquakes and political unrest, Christian communities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are facing immense physical and emotional trials. At the same time, the passing of Pope Francis – a global symbol of peace and unity – has stirred reflection and renewed calls for compassion and courage. Through it all, SAT-7 continues to uplift and connect believers, broadcasting peace, prayer, and truth into places of darkness.

Show Note Resources:

• What can we learn from the legacy of Pope Francis? https://www.sat7uk.org/pope-francis-legacy
• Gaza’s Christians recall Pope Francis’ final message of peace: https://www.sat7uk.org/pope-francis-gaza-christians
• Supporting Sudanese Christians through the civil war: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CdBja6ghW0

Prayer Points:

• Pray for a de-escalation of conflict in the Holy Land, and ask that most vulnerable will receive the food and aid that they urgently need. Pray for the hundreds of Christians sheltering in the Holy Family Catholic Church.
• Pray for an end to the civil war in Sudan, and for aid to reach those in need of food and other essentials. Give thanks that SAT-7 is able to broadcast into Sudan, and pray that Sudanese Christians will continue to hold onto their faith in Jesus as they endure the hardships and danger of war.
• Pray for wisdom and safety in Türkiye in the wake of the earthquakes and political protests.
• Give thanks for the life and legacy of Pope Francis, and pray that the new Pope Leo XIV will follow his example of advocating for the Middle East’s Christian population.

Welcome to Voices of the Middle East, a SAT-7 UK podcast. SAT-7 is an international Christian media ministry bringing life-changing joy to the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Last year we had over 103,000 one-to-one conversations with viewers, and through these conversations we are hearing constant stories of the ways God is at work in people’s lives. In this podcast, we’ll share some of their stories with you, and invite you to pray for SAT-7 and the people of the region.

Once the centre of the Church in North Africa, Tunisia has a rich Christian heritage and a vibrant modern culture. As the birthplace of the Arab Spring, Tunisia has enjoyed over a decade of progressive social policy, particularly in relation to women’s freedoms. But today, concerns are growing about the country’s move back towards authoritarianism. It’s into this context, that SAT-7 has been developing and broadcasting more content for Tunisia and North Africa, bringing joy to believers and empowering marginalised women.

Show Note Resources:

• Although Easter is fast approaching it’s not too late to dive into our devotional book 40 Days of Prayer for the Middle East which explores the fascinating Christian heritage of countries like Tunisia. The reflection on Tunisia is particularly moving, as it tells the personal story of Perpetua, one of the early Christian martyrs.
  • Link to resources:
    • https://www.sat7uk.org/40days

Prayer Points:

• Pray that Tunisia will continue to make progress towards freedom of speech, gender equality and freedom of religion, despite the current political situation.
• Give thanks for Today Not Tomorrow. Pray that SAT-7 programmes like this will continue to provide support and encouragement for women facing challenges and discrimination.
• Give thanks that SAT-7 is producing more programmes in Tunisia. Ask God to grant the team understanding of the unique needs and challenges of those in Tunisia, as well as the skills, creativity, and understanding to produce more programmes that touch viewers’ hearts and will attract and speak to a wide and growing audience in the country.
• Pray for Christians in Tunisia, that the constitution will once again unequivocally grant freedom of religion. Pray for strength for Christians in the country who have been rejected by their families and who feel under pressure for their faith in Jesus.
• Give thanks for the SAT-7 Viewer Support team, and the encouragement that they provide. Pray for them as they kindly and patiently answer questions and interact with viewers and ask that the Lord uses their conversations to plant seeds of faith that will bear fruit for generations to come.

Welcome to Voices of the Middle East, a SAT-7 UK podcast. SAT-7 is an international Christian media ministry bringing life-changing joy to the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Last year we had over 103,000 one-to-one conversations with viewers, and through these conversations we are hearing constant stories of the ways God is at work in people’s lives. In this podcast, we’ll share some of their stories with you, and invite you to pray for SAT-7 and the people of the region.