Welcome to Voices of the Middle East, a SAT-7 UK podcast. SAT-7 is an international Christian media ministry bringing life-changing joy to the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Last year we had over 103,000 one-to-one conversations with viewers, and through these conversations we are hearing constant stories of the ways God is at work in people’s lives. In this podcast, we’ll share some of their stories with you, and invite you to pray for SAT-7 and the people of the region.

Welcome to 7 Reasons to Pray for the Middle East, a special one-off podcast and church resource brought to you by SAT-7 UK.

If we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes we can wonder what the point is in praying for people we’ll never meet, or for global situations that feel too big to solve. When we’re overwhelmed by the challenges facing the Middle East, our prayers can seem small and insignificant.

Yet when we turn to the Bible, we see that God invites us to pray – not just to change the world, but to change our own hearts in the process. That’s why we’ve come up with 7 Reasons to Pray for the Middle East – a brand-new resource for you and your church, as well as this month’s podcast. We hope these seven Bible-based reasons inspire you to pray more regularly, more urgently, and more deeply for our brothers and sisters around the world.

Use today’s talk in your church or small group

Would your church, prayer meeting or small group enjoy this talk? We have recorded today’s podcast as a video version that can be shown in your own setting, followed by a time of prayer for the Middle East. To access the video and sign up for your church resources, click here.

7 Reasons to Pray for the Middle East

Let’s recap the 7 reasons to pray for the Middle East, along with the Bible references used:

1. We want to be more like Jesus. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” John 17:20-21
2. Our MENA brothers and sisters are asking us to. “But God has put the body together… its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-26:
3. It gives us a more global perspective. “[Stand] firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-10
4. To align our hearts with God’s heart. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
5. As a biblical response to our worries. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
6. It inspires us to praise God! “Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his surpassing greatness.” Psalm 150:2
7. God answers our prayers. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

Further prayer resources

To keep going in your prayers for the Middle East, visit sat7uk.org/pray where you’ll find links to our latest Prayer Diary, as well as recent episodes of 7 Ways to Pray, our monthly prayer podcast.

Welcome to Around The Table, the podcast where we bring together voices from across the UK, the Middle East, and North Africa for honest, hopeful, and thought-provoking conversation.

We’re thrilled to launch Around the Table, SAT-7 UK’s brand-new podcast where voices from the UK, the Middle East and North Africa come together for faith-driven discussions that go deeper than the headlines. No headlines. No soundbites. Just real people, real stories, and bold faith-filled ideas. Each month, we’ll pull up a chair with guests who are making a difference – voices you may not hear in the headlines, but who are leading real change in the region.

In our very first episode, hosts Sophie Griffith, George Makeen, Mary Omojole and Martin Thomas sit down to chat about all things Around the Table and why they’re so excited about the new series.

This is a conversation that will encourage, challenge, and inspire you to see the region – and your own faith – in a new light.

Show Note Resources:

SAT-7 UK: https://www.sat7uk.org/

Miriam’s Story and Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ige6CcXuMg

SAT-7 UK Podcasts: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/sat-7-uk-podcast/