“Joy to the world,” the Christmas carol proclaims, “the Lord has come!” But where is the joy for the Middle East and North Africa?
When you think of this part of the world, joy might not be the word that springs to mind. Conflict, poverty, persecution – these are probably the words you are more likely to associate with the Middle East and North Africa.
And that’s hardly surprising. Christians in the region face daily challenges you can only begin to imagine. But despair is only part of the picture…
There is another story being told.
A story of Christians from Morocco to Tajikistan, Azerbaijan to South Sudan – from all across the region – discovering joy.
Here at SAT-7, we constantly receive testimonies of people whose lives are being transformed by Jesus. Some grew up in Christian homes; others first met with Jesus through their television screens. Some had a chance encounter with a Christian and wanted to find out more; others first discovered His joy through picking up a Bible in their own language.
Our Advent prayer guide will give you a glimpse into some of their stories.
Over the course of Advent, the prayer guide will take you on a sweeping journey across the Middle East and North Africa, through the 25 countries where SAT-7 works. You’ll visit a different country each day, discovering plenty of reasons to rejoice – as well as ideas for prayer requests.
Let us take you on a journey of joy.
You’ll experience a region of diverse cultures, landscapes and tongues.
You’ll hear from SAT-7 viewers across the region who, though isolated, are able to access Christian teaching and encouragement in their own language.
You’ll meet North African believers whose bitter mourning has been turned to unexplainable joy.
You’ll discover people from Algeria to Yemen who are encountering Jesus through dreams and visions.
You’ll witness Iraqi Christians, once refugees, now dancing through the streets on their way to church.
Let their stories lead you rejoicing into Christmas Day.
As you read and pray, may you encounter the God of joy, whose great love and light burst into a Middle Eastern manger over 2,000 years ago – and, just like the carol proclaims, has brought “joy to the world” ever since.
To order your prayer guide and find out more, visit www.sat7uk.org/advent. You can also sign up for our free Joy to the World church pack, which includes a small-group study session, 4-session children’s resource, church activity and PowerPoint presentation.