AEIOU - Lebanon
April 10/40 Window Prayer Focus: Christians Wary of Lebanon’s Political Crisis
In the wake of the recent assassination of a key Lebanese leader, Christian leaders in Lebanon are asking Believers worldwide to pray that the sensitive situation in the Middle Eastern nation won’t deteriorate into a civil war.
On February 14, a massive bomb rocked Beirut, killing former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and nine other people, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Many more were injured, including Dr. Basil Fleihan, former minister for economic affairs and the sole representative of the Protestant church in the Lebanese Parliament.
Fleihan was severely injured in the attack, which sent shock waves throughout the Middle East and around the world. A Sunni Muslim, Hariri was the nation’s most prominent politician.
“Hariri [was] the one national leader that really had the respect of all the people, Christians and Muslims, even though he was a very convinced and strong Muslim,” Baptist World Alliance’s Denton Lotz said. “He was one of the men that really defended religious freedom.”
Hariri’s killers remain unknown, but the bombing was widely blamed on Syria, which keeps about 16,000 soldiers in Lebanon and controls its neighbor’s politics through a vast network of intelligence agents, “The Los Angeles Times” reported. After the assassination, Lebanon’s Syria-backed administration collapsed following massive street protests by thousands of Lebanese.
However, pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud reinstated Prime Minister Omar Karami, who was forced to resign on February 28 by the giant opposition protest. Lebanon is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections this spring. Election dates have not yet been set, but the current parliament’s mandate expires May 31, the AP reported.
U.S. President Bush has demanded that Syria pull its troops out of the country and allow free elections in Lebanon, which is battered from its 15-year civil war and dominated by its stronger neighbor. “All Syrian military forces and intelligence personnel must withdraw before the Lebanese elections for these elections to be free and fair,” he said, the AP reported. “Freedom will prevail in Lebanon,"
FOR THE COMPLETE STORY:
http://www.win1040.com/ccmasters/emailn
Pray for:
The family of Rafik al-Hariri to receive God’s peace and comfort. Pray for their salvation. Thank the Lord that Hariri had a legacy of friendship with Christians and desired to protect their freedoms. Pray that this legacy continue and increases in his absence.
The recovery of Dr. Basil Fleihan, who was severely injured in the bomb attack that killed Hariri.
The situation in Lebanon not to deteriorate into civil war.
Peace to flood Lebanon to quiet the schemes and plans of disunity and hostility.
The Lebanese election to be fair and peaceful. Pray that the new government will be comprised of God-fearing officials who will support religious freedom.
Significant changes to take place in the spiritual realm of Lebanon and for Lebanese Believers to see these changes to be reflected in the political scene.
Christians and Muslims to come together and recognize the need for reconciliation and peace.
Confusion to envelope any groups that would seize the moment of political unrest in Lebanon to cause harm to another.
The Christian Church in Lebanon to rise to the occasion and show wisdom and leadership in the coming days.
God’s purposes and plans that He has laid out for Christians in Lebanon to continue unhindered.
Sources: Baptist World Alliance, World Vision, World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, Mission Network News.
In the wake of the recent assassination of a key Lebanese leader, Christian leaders in Lebanon are asking Believers worldwide to pray that the sensitive situation in the Middle Eastern nation won’t deteriorate into a civil war.
On February 14, a massive bomb rocked Beirut, killing former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and nine other people, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Many more were injured, including Dr. Basil Fleihan, former minister for economic affairs and the sole representative of the Protestant church in the Lebanese Parliament.
Fleihan was severely injured in the attack, which sent shock waves throughout the Middle East and around the world. A Sunni Muslim, Hariri was the nation’s most prominent politician.
“Hariri [was] the one national leader that really had the respect of all the people, Christians and Muslims, even though he was a very convinced and strong Muslim,” Baptist World Alliance’s Denton Lotz said. “He was one of the men that really defended religious freedom.”
Hariri’s killers remain unknown, but the bombing was widely blamed on Syria, which keeps about 16,000 soldiers in Lebanon and controls its neighbor’s politics through a vast network of intelligence agents, “The Los Angeles Times” reported. After the assassination, Lebanon’s Syria-backed administration collapsed following massive street protests by thousands of Lebanese.
However, pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud reinstated Prime Minister Omar Karami, who was forced to resign on February 28 by the giant opposition protest. Lebanon is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections this spring. Election dates have not yet been set, but the current parliament’s mandate expires May 31, the AP reported.
U.S. President Bush has demanded that Syria pull its troops out of the country and allow free elections in Lebanon, which is battered from its 15-year civil war and dominated by its stronger neighbor. “All Syrian military forces and intelligence personnel must withdraw before the Lebanese elections for these elections to be free and fair,” he said, the AP reported. “Freedom will prevail in Lebanon,"
FOR THE COMPLETE STORY:
http://www.win1040.com/ccmasters/emailn
Pray for:
The family of Rafik al-Hariri to receive God’s peace and comfort. Pray for their salvation. Thank the Lord that Hariri had a legacy of friendship with Christians and desired to protect their freedoms. Pray that this legacy continue and increases in his absence.
The recovery of Dr. Basil Fleihan, who was severely injured in the bomb attack that killed Hariri.
The situation in Lebanon not to deteriorate into civil war.
Peace to flood Lebanon to quiet the schemes and plans of disunity and hostility.
The Lebanese election to be fair and peaceful. Pray that the new government will be comprised of God-fearing officials who will support religious freedom.
Significant changes to take place in the spiritual realm of Lebanon and for Lebanese Believers to see these changes to be reflected in the political scene.
Christians and Muslims to come together and recognize the need for reconciliation and peace.
Confusion to envelope any groups that would seize the moment of political unrest in Lebanon to cause harm to another.
The Christian Church in Lebanon to rise to the occasion and show wisdom and leadership in the coming days.
God’s purposes and plans that He has laid out for Christians in Lebanon to continue unhindered.
Sources: Baptist World Alliance, World Vision, World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, Mission Network News.
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