Lebanon

Internally displaced in Lebanon: According to OW research, before the recent conflict began, one in five Lebanon residents were already refugees from elsewhere: 1 million Syrians (including Alawites) and 0.25 million Palestinians. Since March, 1.2 million have been internally displaced within Lebanon, most fleeing Israel’s attacks in the south, including Christian congregations from Tyre. Many Muslims are asking Christians for prayer, and over 100 new believers have been recorded in Tripoli.

Pray that the current and future hopes of the Lebanese people will be focus on the Prince of Peace. Pray that the Lebanese Church will be always ready to share the good news of the gospel.

Praise God for the encouragement that our new partner workers are receiving from churches in the UK. Workers like Wissam Nasrallah in Lebanon greatly value these new connections and faithful prayers in challenging times.

CMS mission partners Nabil and Sarah Shehadi ask for prayer for Lebanon, where Nabil serves as Alpha Levant coordinator and Sarah manages hospitality and administration, and runs courses with Nabil. Against a backdrop of national crisis, pray for people including refugees to engage with Alpha courses and for Christians to be encouraged to share the reason for their hope with others.

Pray for those working amongst Palestinians in refugee camps in Lebanon, especially in light of the unrest and fear that dominates in this country. Pray for the light of Jesus to bring hope and peace and for opportunities to share about the kingdom of God.

CMS mission partners J and R, working in Bible translation in the Middle East, write that the book of Ezra will be reviewed for accuracy and readability (consultant-checked) in September. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guard against anything that would hinder this vital work. Pray, too, for J and the other Bible translators as they work to balance the time and effort on each book at each stage of the translation.

CMS mission partners Nabil and Sarah Shehadi are seconded to Alpha International and based in Lebanon, where Nabil is Alpha Levant coordinator while Sarah manages the hospitality and administration side of things, and they run courses together. They ask for prayer for Lebanon’s economic and financial crisis which has no foreseeable solution or end. Pray for new economic opportunities, food security and the provision of basic necessities.

Local partner Tamar Dawood, based in Lebanon, uses her filmmaking skills to amplify Arab Christian voices that are not often heard, creating short, powerful films. Pray for her new series of testimonies of people who are holding onto God’s promises despite difficult life circumstances - for God to use this series to encourage his people in the Arab world and draw more people to himself. Pray, too, for God to open new doors for creative programmes to reach those who are seeking him.

Pray for BMS World Mission partners in Lebanon working in Syria, that they might both provide crucial relief on the ground but also offer necessary support to Syrian refugees in Lebanon who are grieving from afar.

BMS World Mission supports Lebanese churches as they distribute aid and come alongside struggling refugees and Lebanese people. Pray that the comfort and peace shared would continue to have an impact. Pray that the Lebanese people and world leaders will find ways to revitalise the economy so that the population will be lifted from poverty and be able to afford basic necessities.