Unity for all Christians whatever their background: Beirut, has suffered from recent wars, including civil conflict, and struggles economically due to the huge influx of refugees from neighbouring Syria. It is a city divided, with Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Christians, all living in different areas and not mixing. Churches are not welcoming to believers from a Muslim background yet both seekers and believers need established churches and groups to join. Workers take time to disciple individuals until the local church is ready to accept and trust them. It is thought better for the future of the country to have one strong, healthy church than to have a church divided between those from Christian and those from Muslim backgrounds. Pray that the church would be convinced that believers from a Muslim background are also children of God’s Kingdom, that they would be encouraged to engage in church life and take opportunities for leadership and service within the local church.
Searching for God online: A young Middle Eastern man became very active in a fundamentalist Muslim organisation at an early age. He was used to commit violence against Christians, assured that because he was underage he wouldn’t go to prison. When a new government came into power, Abdu and his colleagues were taken to prison. He studied the Qur’an there and discovered that it contains a lot of verses urging Muslims to kill other people. It didn’t seem right. After getting out of prison, Abdu searched online for what other religions say about the true God. Abdu came across our Arabic website and called our responders. We then explained to him why Christ came and what he did for us. He is still quite young, but he now has an incredible zeal for the gospel. Abdu told us that he was going to find the people he was in prison with and tell each one of them about Christ. Please pray for Abdu as he shares his faith. Praise God that this enemy of Christians has become our brother in Christ!
Boats Sink in the Mediterranean Sea: Almost every day, men, women and children drown or are rescued from boats sinking in the Mediterranean Sea. These people pay large sums to make a perilous journey, most often setting out from the shores of Libya. Most are sub-Saharan Africans seeking a better life in Europe. Libya’s human trafficking is controlled by its militia. It is a lucrative business. The smugglers do not care about the lives of migrants and the coastguard is often complicit. Young Libyans, lured by money, are also being recruited to help with the smuggling process. Pray that the stronghold of people trafficking would be broken in Libya and that those directly involved in people trafficking would wake up to the reality of what they are doing. Pray for all those who have been affected by people trafficking.
