General André Cox writes:
SINCE its early days The Salvation Army has responded to crises caused by natural disaster, famine and war. Today, I am calling upon Salvationists worldwide to pray for peace in Syria and grace and wisdom for elected officials the world over who are adjudicating on how to manage the tremendous humanitarian crisis that has enveloped the region. Syria will be the focus of the Worldwide Prayer Meeting on Thursday 12 September 2013.
A news item on the United Nations website www.un.org reports: 'With an estimated 5,000 desperate Syrians fleeing their homes every day, the spiralling violence in the country has now created more than two million refugees. As of the end of August, the number of Syrians registered as refugees or pending registration was 110,000 in Egypt, 168,000 in Iraq, 515,000 in Jordan, 716,000 in Lebanon and 460,000 in Turkey. Over half of them are children under 17 years of age. The refugee crisis has placed an overwhelming burden on the host countries’ infrastructures, economies and societies, and with an average of almost 5,000 Syrians fleeing into these countries every day, the need for international support has reached a critical stage.'
The Salvation Army has been invited to participate in and support the humanitarian effort in Jordan. Officials from The Salvation Army's International Headquarters in London, UK, are actively working in partnership with other non-governmental organisation representatives and a Salvation Army team is soon to depart for the region.
As world leader of The Salvation Army, I believe it is our Christian duty to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Jordan both practically and prayerfully. Please join me and Commissioner Silvia as together we pray for peace. I invite Salvationists around the world to unite in prayer on Thursday 12 September through the Worldwide Prayer Meeting. Please pray for peace, wisdom and grace for our leaders and those responding to the humanitarian crisis in Jordan.
Thank you for your support of this special request.
