Reflections
132 items in the archive.
All years 132 items
A glimpse of heaven at the Royal Albert hall
SAT-7’s Marianne Awaraji reflects on her recent experience of performing on stage at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall for Prom Praise, an event organised by Langham Arts in partnership with SAT-7 UK. The event, ‘To the Ends of the Earth’, was a musical celebration of our global faith featuring vibrant expressions of international worship.
How Christianity’s first broadcast continues today
by George Makeen It was a time before satellites, screens or studios. Cameras and cables did not yet exist; continental communication was still hundreds of years in the future. And yet, in Jerusalem – where the disciples had gathered after the Ascension – a broadcast of extraordinary magnitude was about to take place...
The importance of Nowruz in the face of crisis and loss
By Omeed Jouyandeh This year’s Nowruz (New Year) celebrations are shrouded with a deep sadness for most Iranians. The devastating events of the last three months – on top of decades of suffering and oppression – have left many reeling and exhausted.
Mothers in leadership: carrying two worlds at once
by Marianne Awaraji As many countries in the Middle East mark Mother’s Day on 21 March, SAT-7’s Marianne Awaraji explores the tension of her dual roles as leader and mother during a time of great instability and uncertainty in Lebanon...
Heartbreak and Hope in the Shadow of War
As the war escalates across the region, colleagues and friends are asking me how I am, how I feel, and I honestly don’t know how to answer. Some look me in the eye and then see the answer for themselves. Heartbroken. Heartbroken and so very sorry that a new generation is living through what we did.
Uniting across borders through prayer
We often think of prayer as private: our quiet moment with God. But throughout the Bible, prayer is also communal. It is something believers do together, and for one another. Jesus himself promised, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). Prayer, in this sense, is not only an act of faith; it is a bond. It connects believers who may never meet, uniting them in shared hope, shared dependence and shared trust in God.
Journeying through Advent with SAT-7 viewers
“Suddenly, a light appeared...” For one believer in Iran, this was the moment that changed everything. Alone in a dark room, Yazdan was desperately praying for hope, help, peace. “An hour passed,” he said. “Then suddenly a light appeared. It illuminated the dark room for a whole minute. I couldn’t sleep from joy!”
A heavenly hero: how God turned my childhood pain into purpose
Sometimes I wonder how I made it through. A little girl, growing up in Lebanon’s civil war, holding on to a dream, a hope, a future, blurred by the sounds of gunfire and the weight of hatred.
“Filming these stories was sacramental work”
An open letter by Maggie Morgan, an award-winning filmmaker and leader of SAT-7’s Gender Equality and FoRB project, on the life-changing experience of filming refugee stories in Egypt.
The Middle East war and the prayer of Habakkuk
SAT-7’s George Makeen reflects on the prophetic voice of Habakkuk at a time of crisis, and what it means to pray with both faith and honesty when faced with war, injustice, and unanswered questions. As conflict continues to devastate the Middle East, this reflection is a call to deeper trust, courageous lament, and a refusal to place hope in human power rather than God's justice.
Egyptian Christians mark Jesus’ escape to Egypt
“Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:15 Every 1 June, the Church in Egypt celebrates the entry of the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) to Egypt as they fled from the persecution of Herod over 2,000 years ago.
What can we learn from the life and example of Pope Francis?
SAT-7’s George Makeen reflects on Pope Francis’ legacy of communicating Christian teaching to those beyond the Church, and how we all need to reject labelling and stereotypes in order to connect with those who are different from us.
The mother heart of God
As Mother’s Day is marked in most Middle East and North Africa n countries on 21 March, SAT-7 CEO Rita El- Mo unayer shares a reflection on the mother heart of God…
What next for Syria – and the wider Middle East region?
This has been an extraordinarily heartbreaking year for the peoples of the Middle East. No one could have predicted the bloodshed across the Holy Land that has lasted for more than a year, or the current dramatic events in Syria.
Lebanon tensions: a mother’s perspective
In this personal reflection on the turbulent situation in Lebanon, SAT-7’s Marianne Awaraji shares her fears as the mother of an eight-year-old son, and how she is helping him – and others – to put their trust in God.
Archbishop Angaelos reflects on Egyptian church history
As Orthodox Christians prepare to celebrate Easter (5 May), Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church, London, Chair of the SAT-7 International Council, shares a reflection on Christianity in Egypt and how the resurrection brings hope to believers living in hardship and persecution…
The Myth of Human Equality
As the world marks the 75 th anniversary (10 December) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, SAT-7’s Ministry Content Advisor George Makeen questions the reality of the e quality of all people and calls on the Church to stand for this core biblical principle .
An inside view from Egypt as Holy Land war continues
As fighting in the Holy Land resumes today (1 December) after the seven-day ceasefire expired , SAT-7 Egypt’s Mary Joseph explains how her homeland , which borders the territory , is responding to the conflic t , and helping to save the lives of those severely injured and in need of aid . She also shares how the Egyptian Church is being a voice for peace and compassion as tensions rise.
Missing But Alive: Following a persecuted Saviour
By Aysha, a writer and film-maker from the Middle East, who was forced to leave her home country after she came to faith in Christ. She now lives in the UK, where she works with SAT-7 and other Christian networks on various communications projects.
Fight for peace with love and hope
SAT-7 CEO Rita El-Mounayer writes: For the last three days, I have been doing as you all have. Watching the horrific scenes unfold across the Holy Land. I have felt that sick pit in my stomach, the very same one I have had before. Tonight, the world’s media is now talking about my homeland, Lebanon, as a “place of operations but not yet a warzone”. Will it still be the same when I wake up tomorrow?
Three reasons not to give up on the Middle East
As SAT-7 celebrates its 27th anniversary of broadcasting to the Middle East and North Africa, our CEO, Rita El-Mounayer, offers this moving appeal not to abandon hope for the region.
Hope in times of Chaos
In response to the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria that have claimed the lives of thousands, George Makeen, Executive Director of SAT-7 Arabic Channels, offers this reflection on hope in times of chaos.
Free to believe? persecution and the Iranian church
“When God created us, He gave us the right whether or not to choose Him. The right to choose may not be denied by any government, group, or person” said Mansour Borji, human rights advocate and Advocacy Director of Article 18, speaking on SAT-7 PARS’ New Identity program. Nevertheless, persecution for their faith is a reality for SAT-7 PARS’ viewers, and knowledge of their rights and a Biblical perspective on persecution provided by an expert, can help empower the Iranian Church.
Iranians: Dying to be Free
Iranians protesting the killing of Mahsa Amini by Iran’s Hijab Police have captured the attention of people around the world. The sight of young women and men wielding only words against a regime armed and willing to use its might against unarmed citizens is the story of David and Goliath being replayed before our very eyes. But in this modern retelling, David is injured and dying every day.