Pray for peace talks in SyriaSara Kandiah - 8 Nov 2013

How do you solve a problem like…  [Maria]?

These are the words of a song about Maria from the much loved musical ‘The Sound of Music’. When I watch the world news I so often feel like asking the same question. How do you solve a problem like conflict in Syria, or continual displacement in DR Congo, or loneliness in the UK, or [insert here a country or issue of your choice]? 

I sometimes bring this same problem-solving mentality into my prayer life for international issues. I like to pray out my own solution about problem x or y to God, and expect him to respond – immediately.

And for most situations, the solution is straightforward and obvious – it’s an end to whatever is going wrong… right?

Seeds of hope 

I recently came back from attending the always-inspiring 24-7 Prayer International Gathering in Dublin. Many encouraging stories were shared, and one from the Middle East particularly struck me. We know that it’s been a difficult few years for all the citizens there, and that the church going is through a time of trial. But we also heard some of the amazing things that are happening. In the midst of all the turmoil and uncertainty, believers are gathering in each other’s houses, crying out to God with renewed faith and hope and being strengthened together.

I’m also hearing stories from my work colleagues in India who are responding to the immediate needs of people affected by Cyclone Phailin, which left a trail of destruction in its path, wiping out communities and livelihoods. Apparently, the recovery and rebuilding effort is also bringing communities together to share the limited resources, uniting people across the different caste systems from the highest to the lowest.

Other seeds are being planted, the fruit of which is beyond my limited vision and my subsequent prayers.

I’m challenged not just to ask God to end the things that are wrong or bad, but to pray, ‘Lord what do you want to begin, what new and good thing will you bring about as a result of the cyclone in India, or the conflict situation in Syria?’

It’s a lesson in my prayer life that I need to hear and learn again. It’s so easy to become focused on the immediate needs and somehow forget that we pray to our Father God, 

‘who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.’ (Ephesians 3:20)

So when I come up in prayer against such overwhelming situations – where the problems are so great that it’s difficult even to know where to start in prayer, and when a solution seems so out of reach – my prayer is that I will have a different heavenly perspective that doesn’t limit what God wants to do. I need to believe, trust and continue to cry out in prayer that God will bring hope and good fruit out of seemingly desperate situations.

Pray for Peace Talks in Syria

On Sunday 17 November, we at Tearfund are urging our friends and networks to join together as part of Syria Sunday to pray for the peace process in Syria. Although international leaders have called for a peace conference on Syria to take place in late November, at the time of writing a date has not yet been agreed. Let’s believe in prayer that the peace talks will take place without delay or hindrance, that all parties to the conflict will be present, and that the talks will be representative of the peaceful majority of Syrians, including women’s groups and refugees.

Let’s pray that through the Geneva II peace talks, world leaders and decision makers in Syria will do everything they can to find a sustainable political solution to the conflict. Let’s pray that these talks will be a successful first step towards lasting peace in Syria.

Let us pray now, and let us continue to pray until there’s a lasting peace in Syria.