Anti-Christian violence swept Egypt Wednesday in the bloodiest day yet of Egypt's revolution. World Watch Monitor reported, ‘Islamist protesters took out their anger Wednesday on government and dozens of]Christian buildings and homes.’ The Bible Society of Egypt reported 15 churches and three Christian schools being attacked, and two Christian bookshops completely destroyed by fire. Attacks by Islamist protestors recently forced Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II to cancel speaking engagements and prompted 16 human-rights groups to voice concern. On June 30th the President of Cairo’s Evangelical Theological Seminary said, ‘Previous regimes pushed the Church to give them support, by controlling Christians and calling them not to oppose standing regimes. This minimized the effectiveness of Christians, separating them from the rest of society and depriving them of the liberty to act independently according to their faith and conscience. Now we have learned our lesson and refuse to be a tool in the hand of any regime.’
Pray: for the Lord to protect Egypt, ask Him to give Church leaders special wisdom and unity, may they positively engage in this season of change and transformation. Pray against corruption, injustice and division that could damage communities. Pray for Egyptians across the country who are caught in a climate of fear and uncertainty. (Ps.1:6)
In an effort to prevent Coptic Christians using the newly built Church of St. Mary and St. Michaels for prayer services the Giza Governorate converted a four storey house facing the church into a mosque secretly during Thursday night, and hastily hung a cloth sign outside advertising the new Ekhlass mosque. Due to the minimum distance required by law between a church and a mosque Copts view this conversion of the house into a new mosque ‘as a trick on the part of the government to make the completion and use of St. Mary's Church an impossibility.’ On Friday morning over 3000 Muslims prayed there despite the presence of an established large mosque not far from the new mosque. In November the same Coptic Church was the scene of security forces using tear gas on women, children and youths at the church, in an attempt to halt construction of the new church building. Pray: for a peaceful and just resolution to a potentially inflammatory situation. (Ps.5:11)
Egypt: Good news amidst concerns
27 Dec 2011Ramez Atallah the General Director of The Bible Society of Egypt writes, ‘Now when they had departed - behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy him.’ (Mat. 2:13) For many centuries Egyptians have been proud that when God’s Son needed refuge He came to their land for shelter and security. Today as the bright sunshine of the Arab Spring is being overshadowed by darkening clouds of the Arab Fall many Christians and moderate Muslims are seeking to flee from Egypt for freedom.’ For Ramez comments regarding ‘why Islamist parties have a majority of the votes’ and ‘unprecedented breakthroughs for the gospel’ in Egypt click the 'More' button for encouragement and prayer.
Pray: for God to continue to flood his Egyptian church with the love of Christ, that casts out all fear. (1 Jn. 4:18)
More: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/829923/8286a76943/1566502707/71f8713e24/
Thousands of people turned out to pay their final respects to Pope Shenouda III, the leader of Egypt’s Coptic Christians for the last 40 years. The funeral was held today at the Cathedral of St Mark in the Abbasiya suburb of Cairo. A day of national mourning has been declared and Copts were given time off work to pay their respects. Throngs of people have lined up to see Pope Shenouda’s body, which has been on display in the cathedral since his death on Saturday, at the age of 88. His death comes at a time of heightened tensions with Muslims and there were concerns that the turnout of large numbers of Christians onto the streets of Cairo would trigger unrest. Pope Shenouda’s four decades at the helm of the Church were marked by increasing restrictions on Christians and hostility from more radical Islamist elements.
Pray: for God’s anointing on the appointment of Pope Shenouda III’s successor. (Ex.29:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/funeral.held.in.cairo.for.coptic.pope.shenouda.iii/29504.htm
Egyptian Christians request our prayers for Parliamentary elections within the current context of protest, violence and lack of security. Christians are concerned that the pattern of protest and violent response is nurturing an environment of indifference towards violence, including sectarian violence. Christians continue to be a vulnerable group, disproportionately affected by the lack of security in Egypt, fearing the current climate of intimidation, violence and instability could lead to fewer Christians voting, which would impact their representation in Parliament. Also Christians are concerned that if some parties achieve power they intend to restrict freedom of expression and the religious freedom of minority communities. Although most parties have pledged to fight against sectarianism and discrimination, Christians fear that some parties, likely to have significant representation, would not honour such pledges. Please pray that the elections which are undetaken in stages on 10 March next year, will be conducted in a peaceful environment, in a fair manner, and that all Egyptians, including Christians, will have confidence in the process.
Pray: for an end to violence and for all political parties to uphold current commitments on freedoms of belief and expression.(Pr.2:20-22)
Egypt: Destroying tunnels and uniting Christians
09 Mar 2013A Cairo court has ruled the government must destroy all tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, a route for smuggled weapons and a lifeline for Palestinians. Egypt's ruling Muslim Brotherhood has close ties with the Hamas movement that runs Gaza. Many Egyptians fear the enclave is a security risk for Egypt. The national security adviser said Egypt will not tolerate the two-way flow of smuggled arms through the tunnels that is destabilising its Sinai peninsula. Also this week for the first time since the dawn of Catholic and Protestant missions in the 17th and 18th centuries Egypt’s Christians formally stand united as the heads of the five largest denominations - Coptic Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, and Anglican - created Egypt's first Council of Churches. In recent decades, tension has dominated ecumenical relations with theological disputes, and accusations against minority denominations as sheep stealers. See: http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/02/egypts-five-largest-denominations-unite-for-first-time-egyptian-council-of-churches.html
Pray: for the light of Christ to shine on and be in every decision made by Egypt’s leaders at this time of transition. (1Tim.2:2)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/201322619219970812.html
Egypt: Court overrules president over parliament
12 Jul 2012Egypt's Islamist-led parliament reconvened Tuesday - challenging the generals who dissolved it last month. The Supreme Court ruled the newly elected, Islamist president illegally summoned the assembly, heightening a confrontation between the head of state and an establishment that had served Hosni Mubarak. Muslim Brotherhood officials questioned the court's right to rule against the president's decree and vowed to fight on. Egypt's troubled transition to democracy is increasingly being fought in the courts, but that masks a much deeper conflict with an establishment rooted in six decades of military rule. In a war of attrition that may play out over years, Islamists are seeking to push generals out of politics and reform a wider establishment still filled with Mubarak-era officials. More battles lie ahead, such as a debate over the writing of a new constitution.
Pray: for any legal struggles around the constitution and the law to be peaceful and result in an open and fair society for all Egypt’s citizens. (Ps.19:7)
More: http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-parliament-set-meet-defying-army-044341899.html
Many Coptic Christians in Egypt have reacted gloomily to Mohamed Morsi’s election, fearing they could suffer with an Islamist in power. Representing over 10 percent of the population, the Christian community already complains of discrimination and has been the target of many violent attacks. However, one senior Christian told Euronews of his satisfaction at the democratic process, after decades of military leaders. ‘Thanks to the people’s will, it is really the first time that Egypt has chosen a civilian president in 60 years,’ said Coptic Archbishop Salib Matta Sawiris, explaining that since the July 23 Revolution in the 1950s, all of the country’s presidents have come from the military. In the election run-off, Christians overwhelmingly backed Morsi’s rival, former general Ahmed Shafik. While some in the Christian community might now fear for their freedom and safety, others seem willing to give the new president a chance.
Pray: for the new regime in Egypt that it will learn to work together in peace fully with the military. (Ps.133:1)
More: http://www.euronews.com/2012/06/25/egypt-coptic-christians-wary-of-islamist-president/