Exloring Life Eternal

Egypt, Middle East

Leader: President Hosni Mubarak
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Christians: 6-12%
Persecution Ranking: 35th

Egypt is the most populous Arab nation, having over 70 million people and growing fast. President Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party is cautiously proceeding with political and economic reform. National groups are campaigning for better human rights.

The Christian Church in Egypt dates from the time of the apostles and represents 8-10% of the population. All citizens are assigned a religious registration at birth, normally that of their father, which is recorded on a person's identity card. The designation on identity cards cannot be changed to reflect becoming a Christian. This causes serious problems for those who choose to follow Jesus, especially concerning marriage and the education of children.

Christians in Egypt are some of the most persecuted in the world. The government often prevents them from building new churches, getting jobs, and sending their children to school, resulting in poverty for many Christians.

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Prayer points:

= Pray for wisdom for those who have chosen to follow Jesus and suffer serious problems because they cannot change their religious registration.

= Pray that God will encourage the Egyptian Christians to be bold and courageous.

= Pray that God will bring true religious freedom to Egypt with the right for Muslims to convert to Christianity.

= Pray that the reform process will bring benefits to all citizens of Egypt, and that the general human rights situation will improve.

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Dear LORD God, we thank you for the land of Egypt. Grant wisdom and courage to President Mubarak and all who are seeking to bring reform to Egypt. Empower your Church to stand firm in the love and truth of Jesus. Grant patience and perseverance to those who have chosen to follow Jesus. May each receive the discipleship training they need and find mutually nourishing fellowship. Amen.

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Sources: LifeAgape International, Barnabus Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum 18 News Service, Jubilee Campaign, Middle East Concern, Open Doors International, Voice of the Martyrs USA, and 3P Ministries.

"Copyright © 2005, Window International Network. All rights reserved."

Below is a letter that was shared with some friends about why I believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a message of Peace:

Dear Brother _____,

Yes, I am quite familiar with the fact that Islam is by nature a religion
that is hostile to God & no-one can ever please God by the methods which it
espouses. It has much form of godliness, but no real power. I also am 100%
aware that Islam teaches, in essence, that the best way to win in this world
& the next is to be violent. I believe Islam is false when compared to
Christ & the cross.

However, my point was to clarify that I (& others?) preach & practice
"Christ & Him crucified." We will not see Muslims come to Christ just
because we return tit-for-tat with swords or bombs or laws. Nor because we
do nice & courteous things to Muslims. Rather, because we preach the Risen
Lord & are willing to follow Him to the cross.

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. If all muslims were miraculously
redeemed & then secure in Christ, would they then continue to wage war
against non-Muslims simply because _they_ were from a Muslim background? I
sure hope not. In otherwords, the dragon may deceive & satan may use lies,
but he will ultimately lie dead at the foot of the cross.

Our security is not in national boundaries either. The Lord is our Defense.
The name of the Lord defines who we are as a people. (I am under the
distinct impression that there are members of this forum & the Body of
Christ from political states other than the USA, correct?)

I am not advocating that all people from the West evacuate the Middle East.
Quite the opposite. We need to send more there who will go in the Lord's
name. Nor do I advocate/endorse the opintion that the USA stop supporting
Israel/mediating in the regional conflict. That seems both unwise & useless
to me. Though, the USA is a straw reed compared to the Man who suffered
outside the gates of Jerusalem.

Pray for me to be a better communicator & listener, my friend.

Peace in the name of Jesus,
Mert Hershberger
PTAP@srginc.org
S.E. Michigan

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Real nice expression of a wonderful Christian faith / walk!
N.