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Less than two years after its democratic revolution, Egypt is in crisis. People are more divided than ever. Many being fearful of the constitution being voted on. A year ago a Night of Prayer drew 70,000 Christians to pray for their nation. On 13th December 2012 between 8,000-10,000 believers from across Egypt's churches gathered again to pray for the current political situation, church unity, repentance and spiritual revival in Egypt. They erupted into chants of ‘Jesus!’ and ‘Egypt!’ holding banners declaring, ‘We want you, Jesus’ and ‘You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.’Held at Cairo's massive Cave Church and televised live by SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 PLUS, extracts from the event were also taken by secular channel ON-TV. Two secular Egyptian newspapers published articles on the event and SAT-7's coverage of it. Over 50,000 have so far watched on YouTube. See: http://www.youtube.com/sat7arabic
Pray: that SAT-7's YouTube clips would speak powerfully to all who watch. (2Ki.17:38-39)
Many in Egypt’s Christian ministry are appalled at the misinterpretations of the situation in Egypt being reported by normally balanced international media like the BBC. They are portraying Muslim Brotherhood as the victims of injustice. Prior to the attack on the camp leaders in the Muslim Brotherhood warned, ‘if it’s broken up Christians would be attacked.’ Immediately before and after Morsi's removal his supporters repeatedly blamed Christians for the protests that led to his removal. In sermons across the country imams called for Christians to be attacked. Since Mr Morsi's removal Islamists have painted black X's on Christian shops to mark them for arson and angry mobs have attacked churches and Christians in their homes. Leaflets have been left at Christian homes and businesses demanding them to leave or else face reprisals. Church services have been cancelled either through fear or because the buildings are too damaged. see also: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/egypt.churches.cancelling.services.for.fear.of.attack/33642.htm
Pray: for God to protect and encourage all those living in fear and uncertainty. Ask Him to comfort all who have lost loved ones. (Is.61:2-3)
On Wednesday President Mohammed Morsi was reportedly considering handing over security in Port Said to the military as clashes between protesters and police escalated for a third consecitive day. Lawlessness and violence have wracked the city since January. Photos posted on social networking sites on Tuesday showed smoke rising from locations where protesters threw molotov cocktails on security buildings. The government's inability to regain control is a sign of how deeply divided Egypt has become in the two years since Hosni Mubarak’s regime was toppled. Mr Morsi's deliberations over declaring martial law in Port Said had echoes of Mubarak's decision during the 18-day uprising to order the military into the streets to restore security. The tenuous security situation has raised questions about Mr Morsi’s ability to forge ahead with new parliamentary elections scheduled to begin at the end of April.
Pray: for Egypt’s political environment to be fair and inclusive. (Is.32:16)
More: http://www.thenational.ae/topic/subjects/egypt-unrest
Christians have been killed, churches attacked and burned and the interim military government and police are unwilling to intervene. On Wednesday 200 people were injured as police fired tear gas at thousands frustrated by the slow pace of change since the revolution. See: A strong Muslim Brotherhood is reaching even the smallest of villages. Citizens are warned not to vote for a secular state in September elections, and Islamic rule under sharia is touted as the ‘true answer to freedom’ for Egyptians. Despite this, Christians are boldly speaking about Christ and engaging with politics. A new interest in Christianity and the Bible is evident on TV talk shows and Christian websites. Christians are interceding for their land at special prayer meetings with a growing trust that God is in control. Egypt’s Christians make up 10% of the population - the largest Christian community in North Africa and the Middle East.
Pray: that as Egypt stands at this crossroad, God will guard the hearts of her leaders, and that the Christian community would know His peace. (Phil.4:6-7)
Despite promising not to back a candidate in the upcoming presidential election the Muslim Brotherhood nominated Khairat al-Shater on March 31st saying the parliamentary elections which were dominated by Islamists ‘indicate that the Egyptian people support an Islamic state.’ Al-Shater is a millionaire businessman who in recent months developed the Brotherhood's economic policy and met the International Monetary Fund team. He has also represented the organization in meetings with ambassadors, visiting foreign officials and international investors. Observers believe Shater has a very good chance of winning the election.However, Prayer Alert has recently heard from a reliable source that two senior members of the Brotherhood are exploring Christianity.
Pray: that the Lord would raise up leaders of His choosing in Egypt, and men and women of integrity and humility to be elected to office. (Da. 2:21)
More: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june12/egypt2_04-03.html
Thousands are demonstrating across the region demanding political and social reform since Egypt promised to make constitutional amendments and have democratic elections. Tens of thousands in Algeria, Jordan and Yemen are demonstrating for complete political and social overhaul. Although their leaders promise changes protesters say it is not enough. See: Early Wednesday morning Libyan protesters threw petrol bombs and stones at government supporters and police who in turn violently dispersed the crowd with tear gas, batons and hot water. A Libyan 'Day of rage' has been called for Thursday by local residents with a history of distrust of Gaddafi. In Bahrain the King announced a probe into the deaths of two protesters killed in clashes with security forces, when thousands of protesters gathered in Manama's main square. In Bahrain the Shia majority has been ruled by a Sunni Muslim royal family since the 18th Century. See: Pray: for a spiritual overhaul of the whole region. (Is.23:17,18)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/20112167051422444.html
There is a perception that Christians can be attacked with impunity. ‘If you hurt a Christian no one is going to do anything to you. No one is ever brought to justice in sectarian violence against Christians.’ said Mina Thabet, the founding member of a youth movement. Three months after the Army liberated Delga from militant Islamists; criminals are now terrorizing Christians in other towns and charging Jizya (a Koranic fine on non-Muslims known as ‘submission’ or ‘humiliation’ tax). They have set up a cottage industry persecuting Christians for profit. Extortionists use the threat of kidnapping, torture and murder to seize money, land and other property from Christians throughout Minya and Assiut governorates. Kidnap victims are tortured so severely that when they return to their families they are completely broken, unable to talk about their ordeals, much less report the crimes to police.
Pray: against the concept that persecuting Christians is ‘a religious duty.’ Pray for renewed initiatives by police and an improvement to the justice system. (Ps.59:1)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=12873
Police and protesters clash after thousands rally overnight against President Morsi's assumption of expanded powers. Egyptian police have fired tear gas into Cairo's Tahrir Square, where several hundred protesters spent the night after a mass rally to denounce President Mohamed Morsi's action. Clashes erupting on streets near Tahrir Square spilled into the square on Wednesday morning, with canisters falling into the crowd forcing protesters to run and sending clouds of tear gas over the tents housing the demonstrators. Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid said there was a huge difference between Wednesday and Tuesday's turnout, which she said was a huge success for the opposition in terms of the amount of people they were able to rally. ‘Today, you have those die-hards who say that they will stay in the square until the president retracts his constitutional declaration,’ she said.
Pray: against these ongoing attacks by those who hide under the guise of the authorities. (Pr.26:24)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/11/201211288183393655.html
Middle East journalist Mary Abdelmassih, reports that on Tuesday, September 7, a 300-man security force, backed by a large number of cars and armoured vehicles, attacked the Egyptian monastery of St Macarius of Alexandria in Wadi Rayan, Fayoum province. The monks in the monastery were assaulted with tear gas, batons and stones and three of the monks were seriously wounded. ‘The security forces prevented the delivery of limestone bricks to be used for the construction of cells for the monks within the grounds of the ancient monastery. The forces also attempted to confiscate bricks already delivered but the monks sat on the bricks and refused to move,' she said. The monks believe that the government wants to prevent any construction on the premises to hinder any increase in the number of monks living there, ‘though cells for the monks are badly needed,’ said Father Boulos. Pray: against these attacks on the Church. (Ps.20:1)
A group of experts, advocates and faith leaders with an interest in Egypt, religious freedom and human rights released a statement expressing concern at the increasing attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and the manner in which such attacks are being reported by international and local media. The group’s statement says, ‘The collapse of ‘powerful state apparatus' and ‘subsequent power vacuum’ quickly opened a ‘Pandora's Box’ of social problems that the Mubarak regime had either maintained or failed to address. We are now witnessing political struggles for power and influence in the new Egypt.’ (See last weeks PA re Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt) According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide 60+ people were injured on Saturday when Christians protested outside Cairo’s television buildings against attacks on churches the previous weekend, that left 12 dead, were themselves attacked by 100+ people with stones, gasoline bombs and guns. Fighting continued for several hours before the army restored order. Pray: for true democracy in Egypt and an end to civil unrest and attacks on Christians. (Ps.45:6)