Lebanon (MNN) — Strife between religious factions has stalled government progress in Lebanon.
David with the ministry Cry Out Now says Lebanon finds itself caught up in the wider Sunni-Shia conflict in the Middle East. “Two of the political groups who would be supported by Iran have basically been boycotting meeting together as a government. Their representatives and people in the cabinet have refused to meet with other politicians.”
Iran represents Shia Islam, while Saudi Arabi or other surrounding countries are predominantly Sunni. Lebanon holds large populations of both groups, as well as many Christians.
No government meetings mean international aid money can’t reach Lebanese in need. David talks about the continuing economic crisis. “Just over two years ago, $1 would have got you 1,500 Lira. Today, $1 will get you almost 30,000 Lira. The currency just keeps changing and changing. Businesses are closing. And there’s not a lot of prospects for people economically.”
Response to the Good News
But Jesus remains a source of hope. Cry Out Now has seen an increased response to their media campaigns in recent months, David says. “Anybody that seems to be really quite serious and wanting to know more eventually can meet with someone face to face. We’re definitely noticing more people, especially from a Muslim background.”
Many of these people have now become Christian leaders. David says, “Several years ago, more of my energy and time would have been spent with people that might be a little bit interested. But it was certainly not with people that we would call emerging leaders. That’s a noticeable change. I think it does show how God answers our prayers.”
As religious squabbles cause more suffering in Lebanon, pray many will find hope in Jesus.
The header photo shows a mosque and a church next to each other in Lebanon. (Photo courtesy of Lebnen 18, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
