Pray for Lebanon

The rocky beaches and sandy bays of Lebanon stretch along the Mediterranean Sea. This coastal country is home to some of the world’s oldest cities. Lebanon is also hemmed in by Syria across the northeast and Israel to the south. Because of its strategic location, the country has been caught in many conflicts between Syria and Israel. With almost six million people, Lebanon is uniquely comprised of both Shia and Sunni Muslims, as well as Christians and Druze. The official language is Arabic, although French and English are also widely used. This diversity has made Lebanon a key place of refuge for minorities throughout the region.

Lebanon is a democratic republic, and each major religion is represented in the parliamentary system. A civil war had ravaged the nation from 1975-1990, and Israel and Syria became heavily involved. Hezbollah, a terrorist organization, was formed during this time and is credited with driving out the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000. Hezbollah has ongoing conflicts with Israel, violently targeting and bombing parts of the country. More recently, Hezbollah has wielded great power and influence over both the military and political landscape of Lebanon, and Israel has increased its efforts in rooting out Hezbollah, creating a significant toll on the Lebanese people. Lebanon has taken in the largest number of refugees per capita in the world, with roughly 1.5 million Syrian refugees, almost 500,000 Palestinians, and thousands more from Iraq and Sudan. This refugee crisis has strained the economy. Combined with other factors, such as only a caretaker government leading up to and then following Michael Auon’s contentious 6 years, Lebanon’s financial crisis is now considered one of the most severe in the world since the mid-19th century. By 2021, the Lebanese pound had lost 90 percent of its value, and 82% of the population struggled to meet even basic needs. Current shortages of fuel, food, electricity, and medicines are widespread and only exacerbate an already difficult daily struggle.

Lebanon is roughly 68% Muslim (evenly divided between Shia and Sunni) and 32% Christian. This nation is home to the highest concentration of believers in the Middle East. It is the only Arab nation that promotes religious freedom and legally allows for conversion, which provides an open door for the spread of the Gospel. By reaching out to provide for the physical needs of refugees, such as food, clothing, blankets, and education, the Church is embracing opportunities to meet the spiritual needs of hurting people. Both the size and influence of the Church in Lebanon have made it a unique and strategic center for Christian ministry throughout the entire Middle East.