Praise God for the ceasefire in Gaza. Let’s pray it holds

It can be easy to become disillusioned by stories of war, conflict and persecution around the world. But there are glimmers of hope across the Middle East, says Martin Thomas, and we can all learn lessons from the resilience of Christians living there

As one of the presenters of SAT-7, I have the privilege of hearing first-hand accounts of the daily challenges faced by Christians in countries across the Middle East, from Morocco to Tajikistan. I’ll be honest, reflecting on the ongoing conflicts and hardships faced by many around the world in 2024 has not been easy, so perhaps I could be forgiven for starting the New Year feeling a little resigned. 

But there is already some cause for cautious hope: a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, with Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages being freed as part of the deal; a holding ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that has seen thousands return to their homes; and a new Syrian leadership which promises to respect the rights of minorities.