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The following is from an Egyptian Christian’s blog after Mohamed Morsi won the presidential election. ‘Watching all the celebrations and fireworks many are asking, is hope and peace still possible for the Egyptian church? Can we put hope in the shallow speech that Morsi gave after his election? – a speech with strong Islamic accent, with language indicating he’s the new ‘Khailef’ (head of Muslim state). Can we count on the political wisdom of Morsi and his administration to unify Egyptians from different ideologies, backgrounds and beliefs? How soon will we Christians see, live and suffer the consequences of having a Muslim Brotherhood president? Neither I nor any other Christian in Egypt can answer these questions. There are too many uncertainties. But the one great assurance remains - we love and follow a mighty loving God who has the ultimate authority to put presidents and kings in positions of authority or take them out. This Father is MY Father and He promised never to leave us or forsake us.’
Pray: for Egyptian Christians to be able to work and live unhindered under God's protection, for Almighty God to govern those now placed in authority over Egypt. (1Tim.2:1-3)
The Egyptian Revolution began on January 25th of this year, marked by President Hosni Mubarak stepping down on February 11th, and still continues as a new government is formed. One of those figures who has thrown his hat in the ring to be the new president is Naguib Sawiris, a ‘billionaire telecom scion and art patron’ according to a Forbes report. Sawiris is also a Coptic Christian who has already founded a new political party known as the ‘Free Egyptian Party.’ His goal is to establish a secular democratic government in Egypt. Money certainly won't be an issue in his run for office; Sawiris is number two on the billionaire list in Egypt - his father is at the top spot. Coptic Christians in Egypt have suffered much violence and persecution especially in the last year, but Sawiris seems to be unafraid of the risks involved in seeking to be head of his country.
Pray: that God would use Sawiris to bring His light into this election and sound government. (Ez.2:6)
Release International has called for a month of prayer for Christians in nations caught up in the Arab Spring - especially in Egypt where persecution looks set to grow after the presidential elections and Christians brace themselves for increased persecution. Release reported, ‘This is a hugely significant time for Christians in the Middle East and North Africa as their countries undergo seismic shifts in their political structures. Hard-line Islamist groups are making significant inroads into the political process. While there are great opportunities for Christians to contribute to the development of their societies, they need our prayers for protection and wisdom like never before.’ Release has produced a prayer guide, focusing prayer throughout May on Egypt, Libya, Syria, Morocco, Yemen, Tunisia and Bahrain. See:
Pray: for the 100,000 Christians who have left Egypt since last year’s uprising. Pray that this exodus will stop. Pray that those who remain will have a fresh revelation of God as their rock and salvation (Ps.62:2).
Egypt’s democratic experiment is at a tipping point and President Obama is trying to nudge Egypt’s bitterly divided antagonists toward compromise with limited influence. Unpopular President Morsi was democratically elected but needs to strike a workable deal with Egypt's military without alienating millions of protesting Egyptians. Egypt's size and leading position in the Arab world mean its political course will be felt throughout the region, where the United States is already struggling to stem Islamist militants and sectarian strife. The White House is not enamoured with Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader whom it sees as having failed to form an inclusive, effective government. Obama has not hosted Morsi at the White House, and officials cancelled a visit by the Egyptian leader last year after a video surfaced in which Morsi described Israelis as ‘descendants of apes and pigs.’ For INSIGHTS into the roots of Egypt’s violence, the Muslim Brotherhood’s commitment to a unified community of Islamic nations and world rule, please go to: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=448&Itemid=93
Pray: for God to bring peace, reconciliation and freedom to Egypt. Pray also for a new constitution that would enhance equality of citizenship and religious freedom. May Egypt one day be known as a haven of tolerance for all.
More: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/07/03/uk-usa-egypt-analysis-idUKBRE96203E20130703
Troops last week stormed a central Egyptian town held for over a month by hardline supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi who had launched a campaign against Christian residents, officials said. Soldiers and police entered the town of Delga in the central Minya province just after dawn, searching homes and arresting several Islamists, a security official said. All 32 entrances to the village were shut and a daytime curfew imposed as authorities recaptured the town of 120,000 people, held for 31 days by Morsi loyalists, according to the official MENA news agency. Officials said Islamists controlling the town were behind several attacks on churches around the Minya province. The raid on the town comes amid a massive crackdown on Islamists following the military's ouster of president Morsi on July 3, which plunged the country deeper into turmoil. In mid-August police and soldiers broke up two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo in an operation that killed hundreds.
Pray: for the ongoing situation in Egypt and that the authorities will find ways of bringing a meaningful peace. (Ps.122:7)
Egypt's armed forces chief has warned the current political crisis ‘could lead to a collapse of the state’. General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, in comments posted on the military's Facebook page, said such a collapse could ‘threaten future generations’. He made his statement following a large military deployment in three cities along the Suez Canal where a State of Emergency has been declared. More than 50 people have died in days of protests and violence. In response, President Mohammed Morsi has cut short a planned European trip. On Monday night, thousands of people in Port Said, Ismailyah and Suez - where some of the worst unrest has been - ignored a night-time curfew imposed by Mr Morsi and took to the streets. Thousands were again on the streets of Port Said on Tuesday for the latest funerals of those killed, with mourners calling for the downfall of the president. This Friday marks two years since the first fire of the January 25 Egyptian revolution.
Pray: that the projected unrest for this weekend would not take place and that further unrest ceases.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21241753
Egypt’s military prosecution has summoned two Egyptian activists for questioning over the Army’s attack on a mostly Christian protest two weeks ago. This is another indication that the Army is seeking scapegoats for the violence that killed as many as 28 people. The two activists, Alaa Abd El Fattah and Bahaa Saber, were due at the military prosecutor’s headquarters Tuesday 25th for allegedly inciting violence, but their summons was postponed until this Sunday, after Mr. Abd El Fattah returns from travelling abroad.
Pray: that Egypt’s military will take responsibility or hold accountable the troops that ran over and shot peaceful Christian demonstrators. (Is.32:16-17)
More: http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/anti-christian-violence-provokes-egyptian-military
At least one Christian died and dozens were injured in clashes between Muslims and Christians in Egypt's Mediterranean port city of Alexandria on May 17th. Christian resident Sherif Sedky died of a heart attack during clashes, though some observers claimed he died of injuries. Fighting reportedly erupted late Friday when a Coptic man allegedly sexually harassed a Muslim woman. Soon after residents were firing birdshot and throwing Molotov cocktails at one another. There were also reports that more heavy machine guns were used, but those allegations could not be confirmed independently. Coptic Christians who comprise 10% of Egypt's mainly Muslim population and have complained attacks have increased over the past two years following the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. The leader of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church recently criticized the country's Islamist president over his handling of recent deadly sectarian violence, giving Islamist militants a free hand.
Pray: for the Egyptian Christians to be a witness to their neighbours. Pray also for missionaries facing the growing threat of persecution to stand strong in their faith
More: http://www.christianpersecution.info/index.php?view=12281bombings-1-2938703
Senior al-Qaeda operative, Saif al-Adel, who is believed to have led al-Qaeda after Osama bin Laden's death was detained on Wednesday after arriving from Pakistan. He is on the FBI's most-wanted list with a $5m reward for his capture. The FBI said, ‘al-Adel is thought to be affiliated with the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), and is believed to be a high-ranking member of the al-Qaeda organisation’.
Pray: that this may be the beginning of many prayers being answered for justice and future peace in the region. (Ps.7:14-17)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/02/2012229112459825101.html
The Suez Canal transports Middle East oil to Europe and the West. Egypt also has a major oil pipeline. If both were to be closed by riots or terrorism oil prices globally would inflate. The Sinai is a haven for al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist attacks on the gas pipeline from Egypt to Israel and Jordan. It has been used as the launching point for armed attacks on civilians travelling in Israel’s south and is a launching point for rocket attacks at Israel. Violent clashes are rocking Egypt; heavily-armed terrorists are waging a campaign against the government and allied nations; a sizable minority is suffering on-going attacks. Egypt stands on the brink of a civil war or at the very least sustained civil unrest and sectarian violence. The confrontation between the military and radical Islamists led by the Muslim Brotherhood is not expected to end well. The Brothers (the original modern Islamic terror group and the ideological source of both al-Qaeda and Hamas) are in no mood to negotiate or compromise. See also:-
Pray: against Egypt’s complete collapse and for the Lord to make Himself known to the Egyptians. (Is.19:19-22)
More: http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/dispatch/article/egypt-unraveling/