Pray for Lebanon

Lebanon stretches along the Mediterranean Sea with a coastline of rocky beaches and sandy bays. This country is home to some of the world’s oldest cities, bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south. Because of its strategic location, Lebanon has been drawn into repeated regional conflicts involving Syria, Israel, and other powers. But it has also become a refuge for millions fleeing war and persecution. Refugees make up nearly a quarter of the population, the majority being Syrian, alongside Palestinians, Iraqis, and Sudanese. Unlike most of its Middle Eastern neighbors, Lebanon is religiously diverse, where nearly six million Shia and Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Druze live side by side. Lebanon’s government system is based on religious power-sharing. The president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament must be a Shia Muslim. The parliament also reserves an equal number of seats for Christian and Muslim representatives.

A civil war 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. It holds vast influence over Lebanon’s military and government. As Israel has intensified its efforts to wipe out Hezbollah, the resulting conflict has forced the Lebanese people to pay a heavy price. Combined with political instability, corruption, and years of financial failures, Lebanon’s economic crisis has become one of the worst collapses in modern history. The fall of the Lebanese pound has caused prices to rise, and shortages of fuel, food, electricity, and medicines only worsen an already difficult daily struggle.

Lebanon is roughly two-thirds Muslim (evenly divided between Shia and Sunni) and one-third 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.