The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) office of World Mission received a letter late yesterday from the Rev. Fadi Dagher, general secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, urging continued prayers, peacemaking efforts and resistance to the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS.

Particularly startling, the letter states, is who has been targeted by recent terror attacks: “innocent civilians whose only wrong doing was that they were leading a normal life, on their way back home, doing their shopping in close by stores, worshipping in a mosque, being in a sport stadium, attending a musical event, or being in a coffee place.”

Saying “violence negates the will of God who wills life for all,” Dagher condemned acts of violence and offered prayers for the victims and their families, urging Christians to work for “peace, justice and reconciliation” in light of such loss.

Dagher, on behalf of the synod, said its members, “call upon the whole world to stand against all acts of violence, to do all that is possible to bring to an end the tragic events in Syria, Iraq and other places.”

The letter, in its entirety, is printed below.

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The National Evangelical Synod
of Syria and Lebanon

Office of the General Secretary
November 16, 2015

Peace & Goodwill:

With deep sorrow and great concern we have observed during the past days and weeks some of the most horrifying acts of violence against humanity. From blowing up a tourist flight, to bombings on the streets of South Beirut, to attacking several cultural locations in Paris, causing massive loss of life. That was all against the innocent civilians whose only wrong doing was that they were leading a normal life, on their way back home, doing their shopping in close by stores, worshipping in a mosque, being in a sport stadium, attending a musical event, or being in a coffee place. Indeed no normal life is allowed wherever ISIS is present... As if not enough, all that ISIS is doing in Syria for almost five years or in Iraq, killing the innocents, destroying history and culture, and causing millions to be displaced or made refugees on the shores of the world.

Beirut mourns with Paris, Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Baghdad and Moscow, and with every place that suffers acts of violence. Violence indeed negates the will of God who wills life for all.

We in the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon strongly condemn all acts of violence anywhere at any time and for any reason. We pray for all the families that have lost loved ones. We stand in solidarity with and support all who work for peace, justice and reconciliation. We call upon the whole world to stand against all acts of violence, to do all that is possible to bring to an end the tragic events in Syria, Iraq and other places. We believe the super powers can come to agreement to help make the world a better place that is fit for life and human dignity. Thus, we pray for all who can make a difference and help bring about peace to act fast. It is enough death and destruction! Enough violence.

We invite all who believe in the God of life to pray with us so that the PEACE OF GOD may prevail in our world.

To God be the glory.

The General Secretary                                                        
Rev. Fadi Dagher                                                                   Elder Mary Mikhael