Raising children is one of the greatest challenges in life, especially for Christian families in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) who have limited access to biblical resources. The numbers seeking support from SAT-7 highlight the need for culturally sensitive and Bible-based parenting advice, as well as a sympathetic ear when dealing with difficult situations.
“I am having a hard time with my daughter,” said Najah, a mother and SAT-7 ARABIC viewer from Syria who contacted us through our SAT-7 Parents Facebook page. “She is very defiant, and she does not listen to anything I say. She has a younger sibling, and when she is there, the smaller one cries hysterically, as if her sister is hitting her.”
Our Viewer Support Team reassured Najah that she is a thoughtful and mature mother who is looking for better ways to interact with her children. They provided her with some practical advice regarding quality time and periods of rest and sent Najah a link to a SAT-7 KIDS program specifically geared towards her daughter’s age group.
“Your words are precious,” Najah said. “You have been quite helpful to me. May God reward you with goodness. If I had gone to a counselor, they would have taken a fortune from me to give me advice. You did it for free! Thank you again; I am grateful to you, and I hope we’ll stay in touch.”
A Safe Space for Arab Parents
The SAT-7 Parents Facebook page through which Najah contacted us now has over 680,000 followers, and her story highlights how this page has become a safe space for Arab parents to air their concerns and questions.
The team behind the page posts a range of content including practical parenting tips, live interviews with counselors, and video clips from relevant SAT-7 programs. Some posts are aimed at specific groups such as young parents, single parents, or working mothers, but there is plenty of content available for any parents wanting to raise their children in a healthy way.
The Viewer Support Team then connects with those who respond to the page content or reach out for help. Depending on the person’s situation or need, the team offers appropriate support such as counseling, biblical advice, practical tips, or sharing the Gospel if the parent wants to know more about Jesus.
Recently, a single mother from Egypt called Aya commented on one of our Facebook posts asking for more information. She was then sent a link to an episode about raising children. “SAT-7 Parents, thank you so much,” she said a little later on. “It was very helpful because I learned that harshness, neglect, and distance are not the best methods of parenting… I was greatly encouraged by the episode, realizing that I can raise my children on my own.”
Aya expressed her happiness at having improved in some areas of motherhood and then shared with us a prayer for her future: “I pray that God continues to shape and change me so I can be a positive role model for my children. I also pray for the ability and wisdom to raise them correctly. Amen.”
Answering Questions
Parents in Türkiye are also in need of support and advice, especially Christian parents, who are a tiny minority in a country where biblical resources for raising families are scarce.
Parents Are Asking is a program on SAT-7 TÜRK that seeks to encourage isolated parents by delving into the big questions and issues with which they are wrestling. Recent episodes have covered topics including “Discipline,” “Dealing with Anger,” “Effects of Break-ups,” and “Dealing with Anxiety and Fear.”
Presenter Nora Yazırlıoğlu is joined by expert psychologist Dença Kristaporyan to work through the issues, and they particularly highlight the child’s perspective. Dença has also been sharing games and techniques she uses in therapy with children to help them understand abstract concepts in a more concrete way.
“Our biggest message is that children are precious in God’s eyes, and we want to explain this to families first,” Nora said. “Children should always be the most important part of our lives, because they are a gift given to us from God.”
Öznil, a mother and SAT-7 TÜRK viewer, summed up the thoughts of many Christian parents when she wrote to us saying, “Please pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will touch the hearts of our children, put faith in their hearts, and draw them to Himself.”
Please Pray
- Pray for parents in the MENA, especially Christian families who are in need of help and support.
- Give thanks for the impact that SAT-7’s programs and social media content is having in the lives of many families across the region and pray for continued wisdom and inspiration for those involved.
