Hello friend. Every generation of believers must decide whether Scripture will merely inspire them—or truly shape them. 

Around the world, followers of Jesus cling to the Word as their lifeline, often without access to full Bibles or safe gatherings. For them, a single memorized verse can sustain faith under pressure.

This week, we’re looking at what it means to treasure God’s Word until it becomes part of us—and how that same Word is equipping believers in some of the hardest places on earth.

In today’s edition:

• Syrian gospel leaders in exile train to rebuild the church they were forced to leave behind.

• One small step toward memorizing Scripture could reshape your walk with God.

• Believers in Kazakhstan keep spreading the gospel—no matter the cost.

Faith That Endures in Exile 🇸🇾

Syria’s gospel roots reach back to Paul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus.

Today, less than 3% of Syrians identify as Christian. 

After more than a decade of war, economic collapse, and displacement, many believers have fled, and those who remain often face pressure from militant groups, local authorities, and their own communities.

With Radical’s support, a theological seminary continues to equip refugee believers and church leaders in exile to shepherd their own—training them in God’s Word, both online and in person, in their native language so they can serve churches marked by trauma and hope.

How to Pray:

🛐 Pray for Syrian believers to shine the light of Christ with courage and compassion in a nation weary from conflict.

🛐 Pray for displaced families to encounter Jesus through tangible care, friendship, and the witness of the local church.

🛐 Pray for gospel leaders in training—that God would give them endurance and wisdom as they minister among hurting communities.

🛐 Pray for peace and for the rebuilding of gospel-shaped communities that shine with hope.

Memorizing God’s Word: A First Step 🪜

What is your current plan for memorizing God’s Word? I don’t mean all of it (though that would be amazing!). But some of it. 

I have a pretty firm conviction that every Christian (to the extent one is mentally able to do so) should have an intentional plan for memorizing God’s Word. 

Not long ago, I preached a sermon on 50 reasons why I believe this is true from Psalm 119, and I won’t repeat all those reasons here, but suffice to say I think the biblical ground for this conviction is pretty strong.

And why wouldn’t we want to have a plan for memorizing God’s Word? 

Psalm 1:1-2 makes clear:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

In these verses, God promises blessing (that word means “full, everlasting happiness”) to everyone who delights in God’s law and meditates on it day and night. 

Do you want full, everlasting happiness in your life? Meditation is the key.

“But that’s not memorization,” you might think. Or is it?

Think about the biblical concept of meditation. It’s not an Eastern search for inner peace by clearing your mind. Instead, it’s filling your mind with God’s Word, turning it over and over and over again, chewing on it, and digesting it. 

When you’re meditating on a verse or passage or chapter, you’re saying it over and over and over again until it’s in you. And that’s actually how you memorize Scripture.

Think about these words from Psalm 119:97:

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 

Think about how this plays out practically in your life. Unless you’re physically carrying around your Bible and looking at it all day long, the only way it can be your “meditation all the day” is if you have God’s Word in your mind and in your mouth, thinking about it, reciting it, and remembering it all day. And you do this not because you’re following a legalistic rule, but because you actually love God’s law.

I want to encourage you, then, to make and implement an intentional plan for memorizing Scripture in your life. 

As a first step toward that end, why not start with a plan to work on memorizing one verse during your day? 

Maybe it’s a verse that sticks out to you in your regular Bible reading in the morning. Or maybe it’s a verse you’ve heard and thought, “That would be good to memorize.” You obviously have a lot of options from which to choose!

Here’s one way to do it:

1. Spend a few minutes in the morning memorizing it word by word or phrase by phrase. 

2. Write it down somewhere or on something that you can look at throughout the day (try to write it down without looking at it in the Bible). It could be on your phone, or on a notecard to carry with you in your pocket.

3. Whenever you have idle moments in the day, instead of mindlessly scrolling through the drivel this world offers you, pull out that verse and say it over and over again. 

4. Let it be the last thing you say and intentionally think about before you go to bed.

Keep doing this each day with that one verse until it’s firmly fixed in your mind. Then add another verse, and keep reviewing the other one(s) you’ve already memorized. 

In the process, just as Psalm 1 describes, you’ll be meditating on God’s Word day and night. Just as Psalm 119 describes, it will become your meditation all the day.

You’ll grow in delight and love for God’s Word, which is infinitely better than everything else we could fill our minds with in this world. And in the process, you’ll be on your way to full, everlasting happiness, just as God promises.

—David Platt

Roots in Hard Soil 🇰🇿

In the world’s largest landlocked nation, the gospel often travels quietly—but it is traveling. The gospel first reached Kazakhstan in the 4th century, but today fewer than 1% identify as Protestant.

Centuries of Islamic influence and decades of Soviet atheism have left deep marks. Believers now face government restrictions and social pressure from the Muslim majority. Christians are monitored, conversions can bring intense family and community opposition, and the church often struggles to grow.

Yet God is raising up leaders through a one-year internship program led by Radical and a local church—training aspiring pastors to plant biblical churches, share the gospel in restricted societies, and preach faithfully. Even after the program ends, leaders continue to receive support and encouragement, strengthening the church for long-term ministry.

How to Pray:

🛐 Pray for Kazakh believers to persevere in faith and to boldly share the gospel despite opposition.

🛐 Pray for young people to encounter Christ through Scripture and discipleship.

🛐 Pray for the church to grow in both number and maturity, rooted in God’s Word.

🛐 Pray that new leaders would plant healthy, multiplying churches across Central Asia.

📍 Attention Worthy

• Every Christmas card says “Peace on Earth.” David Platt’s new book, All You Want for Christmas, shows people where to find it. Get copies to give away this holiday season!

• How do you measure gospel success? Faithfulness in making disciples matters more than counting converts.

• Before sending pastors or missionaries, ask five questions to ensure they’re ready. Strong sending starts with wise preparation.