Last week I had the privilege of gathering with pastors, ministry leaders, and servants of God from across the Middle East. Men and women who carry the weight of their cities and nations on their hearts. We came together in Dubai as part of Movement Day, reflecting on how we can partner with God in bringing the message of Christ’s love and transformation to our cities.

 

Dubai is often seen as one of the peaceful cities of the region — a place of stability in a turbulent Middle East. Yet even there, the realities of war reached us.

 

During the conference, the sound of bombing and the shaking of the ground reminded us that nowhere in our region feels entirely distant from the conflict that surrounds us. Many of the leaders present had already come from cities experiencing war and instability. Soon flights were stopped and travel was disrupted. Some of us were stranded.

 

But in the midst of uncertainty, something beautiful happened.

 

A spirit of prayer fell upon us.

 

Day and night we gathered to pray — pastors from different nations, men and women from different churches, united by one calling: to seek God for our region. We prayed for peace. We prayed for our cities. We prayed for our people. And we prayed for the church across the Middle East.

 

Those days of prayer reminded us that the church here is not defined by fear, but by faith.

 

Eventually travel reopened. One by one, leaders began trying to return home. Many of them knew they were going back to places that were far more dangerous than where we had been. Yet no one hesitated. Their hearts were with their communities.

 

I myself returned home with my daughter after being stranded for four days. As we arrived, we could see missiles crossing the skies above our country. It was a sobering sight — a reminder of the reality our people live with every day.

 

And yet, it also revealed something profound.

 

These pastors and leaders are deeply committed to their calling. They are not seeking safety or comfort. They are returning to their cities because they believe God has called them to serve their people precisely in times of crisis.

 

Let the world know this:

 

The church in the Middle East still lives.

 

Though often forgotten by the world, though surrounded by suffering and conflict, the church continues to exist, to serve, to love, and even to thrive.

 

These men and women are willing to endure hardship so that the light of Christ may shine in our region.

 

They believe that the Middle East belongs not to war, but ultimately to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

 

And so we ask our brothers and sisters around the world:

 

Please pray:

 

• For peace and protection across the Middle East.

• For pastors and ministry leaders serving in dangerous and unstable contexts.

• For strength and courage for the church to continue witnessing to Christ’s love.

• For unity among believers across nations and denominations.

• For hope for our people, that even in war many will encounter the Prince of Peace.

 

2 Corinthians 4:8–9

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”