Suffering has gone beyond bounds. The whole of Syria has become a battlefield.

Every aspect of
democracy, human rights, freedom, secularism and citizenship is lost from view and no one
cares. The crisis has mown down thousands upon thousands of soldiers, opponents, civilians,
men, women, children, Muslim sheikhs and Christian priests.

Patriarch Gregorios III Laham of Antioch

The people of Syria are being ruthlessly massacred and until now it seems as though the world is
just watching. There has been a lot of talk and debate all over the world and news about Obamas
plot to bomb Syria. I think this is an awful idea for two reasons; first of all, if Obama were to
carry out this plan, it would only kill innocents and cause a bigger problem within Syria. It was
mentioned how if Obama bombed these chemical weapons used against civilians, they would
only burst and infect the country all around. Secondly, Syrias allies would only take up arms
against U.S.A like Iran, Russia and many Middle Eastern countries. This would only lead to a
world war; some even say we are on the verge of World War III. I my opinion, USA should not
get involved with the conflict in Syria. The U.S has a history with erupting civil wars and
creating bigger problems within the Middle East. Therefore, U.S.A should not become militarily
involved with the crisis in Syria; it would only escalate to bigger problems.
Pope Francis mentioned how he oppressed Obamas idea to bomb Syria; he claims it would cause
a bigger problem than it is now. I agree with Pope Francis idea, in fact I think it should be
unanimous since this would make the citizens of Syria suffer more than they already are; as I
mentioned earlier.
I think the only thing that we could do is to pray and promote peaceful protests in Syria. In
generous prayer life comes from a place of recognizing that God is mighty, righteous and that
through him all things are possible. And when we are generous in our prayers, when we
recognize and truly believe this, then hope for situations like those in Syria reappears.
Lets us offer a generous prayer for the people of Syria. As we do, let us remember the words of
Jesus in Matthew 17:
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA

Almighty eternal God
Source of all compassion and love
Hear the outcry of the people of Syria
Suffering has gone beyond bounds
Please comfort those who suffer violence
Console those who mourn the dead
Provide them light, hope, and strength
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms
And protect those who are committed to peace
We pray for an end to all violence and all armed conflict
We pray that Christ, your son, the Prince of Peace
And Light of the World, fills the Syrian people with trust,
So that they abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
Amen
As we pray for the peace of Syria and its people, we are hopeful that the solidarity shown by
people across the world to the plight of the Syrian refugees would come as a comforting sign in
these times of great despair and tribulation. We cannot simply sit idle and see the pain of these
innocent people without our hearts being moved to do something with them. It is this feeling that
can restore faith in our common humanity and in our hopes for a Middle East, and for Syria in
specific, in peace with itself and with all its neighbors.