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1,000 Syrians are now fleeing the country daily for Lebanon. Pontifical Mission Societies in Lebanon expressed the Church’s response, ‘We have Christian families who have fled Syria from violence or the oppression of the regime. There are families who have relatives in Lebanon who have fled here and want to change their lives looking for work. The Church's response in Lebanon has been hospitality and care of these people. We host them in parishes, provide food and clothing, assist them at an economic level and insert them into the social fabric. As a Church we reiterate that we are against violence, we want to promote peace and encourage dialogue. As for the Christians, the danger that looms is a scenario like Iraq, where Christians are forced to flee the country. The risk is that a dictatorial regime is replaced with an Islamist type which imposes the Sharia.’
Pray: God’s provision for those in desperate fear, leaving behind everything as they look for new beginnings. (Jos.1:9)
More: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=13580
Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia has ceased being a mediator in Lebanon’s political crisis. This decision means a key US ally won't be involved in efforts to ease tensions in a dangerous situation. Many fear the political crisis could lead to street protests and violence that have been the scourge of Lebanon for years, including the1975-1990 civil war and sectarian battles between Sunnis and Shiites in 2008. According to Lebanon's current power-sharing system, the President must be a Christian Maronite, the Prime Minister a Sunni and the parliament speaker a Shiite. Each faith makes up about a third of Lebanon's population of 4 million. Lebanon’s political crisis stems from a UN court investigating the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. The Iranian and Syrian sponsored Shiite group, accused of being behind the assignation deny any role in Hariri's killing. They also caused the collapse of Lebanon's Western-backed government last week. See Observers say, ‘the undeniable reality is that the Iranian-sponsored Shia Islamist movement is the strongest force in the country and will remain.’ Pray: that a peaceful co-existence will be established and maintained in Lebanon. (Da.2:21-22) More: http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=204313
Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati, who is backed by the Hezbollah led March 8 coalition, is optimistic about forming a government capable of uniting the Lebanese and ending rival factions. He said he was continuing contacts with all parties, including leaders from the March 14 coalition, in an attempt to reach an agreement that evokes satisfaction among all Lebanese. Mikati refuses to make commitment to any single party, stressing that conflicting demands by rival factions could be solved through dialogue. Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi said, ‘I reaffirm that the Iranian position is to stand at the same distance with all the Lebanese and call on them to reach agreement and close ranks in order to serve this country.’ UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon hoped that a new government would be formed soon. Pray: for an inclusive Lebanese government to be formed More: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=124444#ixzz1CniZRrN1
The Obama administration is committed to improving relations with Syria despite its moves to aid the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Israel regards Hezbollah as a major threat and accuses Syria of providing the group with Scuds. A Scud has a far longer range and can carry a much bigger warhead than the rockets Hezbollah has used in the past, and could reach anywhere in Israel from Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon. Lebanon is independent providing freedom of religion and freedom to practice all religious rites provided public order is not disturbed. They have no state religion and officially recognizes 18 religious groups of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Around one-third of the four million people are Christian and two-thirds are Muslim. Hezbollah (whose name means party of god) is based in Lebanon and it is a state-within-a-state gaining support among many Lebanese Shiites by providing social support to operate schools, hospitals, and agricultural services for thousands.
Pray: for God to use this situation at this time to draw more into His family and may the bride of Christ in the Middle East be called deeper into the presence of the Lord Jesus. (SS:4:8)
More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hxDzV2v2jrhRDQkI0V9heGBJZcLgD9F83JUG2
Refugee camps were set up by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in 1949 for Palestinian refugees. The Shatila refugee camp, which was already overcrowded, is now home to around 33,000 Palestinians seeking refuge in Lebanon where they face overcrowding and poor conditions. At least a fifth of the houses in the camps are not fit to live in, with many lacking walls, roofs, windows or toilet facilities. In camps where homes do not have water or electricity, there are concerns that the increase in refugees will trigger hygiene issues. Palestinians already living in the camps are doing what they can to support the new arrivals, but as Palestinians are not permitted to work in many professions in Lebanon, they mostly work in low-paid jobs, meaning their own resources are thin. There are as many as 15 people living in one room. Many are ill and malnourished. Inflation and the lack of jobs means refugees can't afford to eat properly and children are facing years out of education.
Pray: for the release of more resources for Palestinian and Syrian refugees. May God in His mercy raise up more agencies to provide assistance to those at risk of falling through the support net. (Ps.140:12)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/palestinians.are.syrias.double.refugees/32018.h
Human rights activist, and Media Chairman for the Canadian Lebanese Coordinating Council, Elias Bejjani, reports from the Beiruit Observer, ‘3,500 Hezbollah militiamen are secretly deployed in the Eastern Christian region of Lebanon, and Hezbollah has reached its final logistic preparations to execute an armed coup to take over all of Lebanon by force.’ The web site attributed its information to well-informed sources in the Saudi media.’ see Also Syria and Saudi Arabia have stepped in to ease tensions in Lebanon in light of an escalating crisis between rival political parties over a UN-backed tribunal probing the murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri. There are fears that should the court indict Hezbollah members, this could lead to a Sunni-Shiite conflict similar to the one that brought the country close to civil war in May 2008. Pray: that militant plans would come to nothing and God’s benchmark would be used in every negotiation. (Ps.29:11) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gfIikqY7gudl2YLeSKkgs-WTlN0Q
Shouts of ‘welcome’ in Persian and showers of rice, sweets and petals greeted President Mahmud Ahmadinejad as he waved to crowds from an open-topped car in Beirut this week. It's his first visit to Lebanon where he addressed Hezbollah-organized rallies of up to 60,000 people. His visit took weeks of preparation and his reception contrasted with Israel's, the United States and Sunni politicians foreboding. Over 200 prominent Lebanese citizens signed an open letter in advance of the trip asking Ahmadinejad to avoid using Lebanon as a ‘spearhead’ for confronting Israel. There have been suggestions that Ahmadinejad will travel to the Lebanese-Israeli frontier and court yet more controversy by throwing highly symbolic stones into Israel demonstrating to the world that Iran is a regional power in a confrontation state with Israel. Israel’s security is challenged as Lebanon, Syria, and Hamas-ruled Gaza are seen to be serving Iranian interests and all of them have threatening capabilities for Israel's civilian population. Pray: that all strongholds of violence will be disarmed and that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will rule in these lands. (Ps.29:6) More: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LJ15Ak02.html
Zahle is full of refugees from Syria arriving daily. Every spare building, shed and patch of ground is being rented by families at crippling prices. Even those leaving Syria with money can afford almost nothing in Lebanon where prices have rocketed because more people are competing for the same lands. Many essentials are out of reach for desperate refugees. A small church with 50 members greets the refugees flooding into Zahle. They distribute what food, blankets and mattresses they can collect for the families. They arrange for a doctor to visit the sick; they pray with those who want prayer. Then they visit more families, find more clothes, more mattresses. Recently a crowd of desperate, newly arrived refugees gathered outside the church demanding food, mattresses and cooking materials. The church team were 'five minutes from calling the police' It is not easy. See also: http://danutm.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/world-watch-monitor-a-refugees-camp-just-for-syrian-christians-in-turkey-4/
Pray: that the input by local churches will make the refugees spiritually rich, despite having 'lost' everything. (Ps.22:26-28)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/life.among.syrias.christian.refugees/32284.htm
A car bomb injuring 53 people exploded Wednesday in Beirut, at a Lebanese stronghold for the Shia militant group Hezbollah. It’s feared several were killed. No group has claimed responsibility. Lebanon’s neighbouring Syrian rebels threatened to target Hezbollah because they sent troops to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The area of the blast is a commercial and residential site swelling with people. SAT-7 ARABIC is a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa that attracts 8.5 million teens and adults with a Christian worldview. Their studios in Lebanon posted on their Facebook page, ‘Please join us in praying for those affected by today's car bombing near Beirut. SAT-7 staff members are safe and the studio is secure.’ The car bombing smoke had barely cleared before nearly 100 angry Hezbollah supporters flooded the area shouting, ‘The Shiite blood is boiling.’ Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims mostly support the Syrian rebels while Shia Muslims in Lebanon back Assad.
Pray: against escalating tensions between the Sunni and Shia and for Christian ministries as they seeks to communicate the peace and truth of Jesus Christ amid turmoil. (Ps.20:1)
More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18738
Christians must continue to pray for Lebanon, Syria and the entire Middle East region, said Naji Daoud, Executive Director of SAT-7 (a Christian radio broadcasting station in Lebanon). He made the appeal after a car bomb killed the head of the Lebanese intelligence agency, and several others in a largely Christian neighbourhood of Beirut. He asked for prayer in these difficult days for Lebanon. As al-Hassan was a known opponent of the Assad regime, there is some speculation that the bombing is connected to the ongoing violence in Syria, which continues to spill into Lebanon. His death triggered violent demonstrations in Beirut and there have been calls for the Lebanese Prime Minister to step down. Naji Daoud called upon Christians in the region to ‘live faithfully’. He said, ‘The Lebanese find themselves at a turning point. We must keep praying for Lebanon, Syria and the whole Middle East.’
Pray: for the peace of Lebanon, that it will not become the victim of a proxy war between the different political and religious rivals in the region - such as the Gulf Arabs, Iran, and the Sunni and Shia worlds. (Ps.4:8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/lebanon.at.a.turning.point/30881.htm