Lebanon (MNN) — Tensions boil over as the deadly Beirut blast approaches its one-year anniversary. Riot police clashed with victims’ families protesting outside a caretaker official’s home on Tuesday. Another group of demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building calling for justice.
Meanwhile, European Union leaders hope targeted sanctions will increase pressure on politicians to form a functioning parliament. Lebanon’s economy has been in freefall since 2019, and caretaker officials have been operating in lieu of a government for nearly 12 months. See our full Lebanon coverage here.
Everything’s in short supply, and the threat of civil war looms on the horizon. Nuna* with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says her country’s potential collapse could have far-reaching consequences.
“There is a real threat: that the Middle East is emptied of Christians. This has happened in Iraq; the country that had 25% Christians now has less than 10% Christians,” she explains.
“In Lebanon, in the beginning, we had like 70% Christians. After the civil war, we were 50% Christian, and now we’re less than 30%.”
Lebanon’s strategic location and relative freedoms make it a critical launchpad for Middle East ministry.
Someone added a black stripe to this Lebanon flag in downtown Beirut after the port explosion.
(Photo courtesy TM Lebanon)
“Lebanon is the ‘Lighthouse of the Middle East.’ [It] is the only country in the Middle East that has freedom … and this light cannot go out,” Nuna says. “So we really need to pray. We need to see God [turn things around].”
Give online to help TM Lebanon reach more people in Christ’s name. “When people help financially, even a small amount goes a long way because … [the U.S. dollar is] a big amount compared to the Lebanese pound,” Nuna says.
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“Their prayers, a small message of encouragement, even talking about Lebanon and not being forgotten — that’s an amazing support; we love to have those things,” Nuna says.
Ask the Lord to intervene on behalf of His followers in Lebanon. Pray something good comes from this terrible situation, and pray for God’s will to be done.
“From my point of view, we need to repent,” Nuna says. “So this is what the Church has been doing. The Church has been repenting on behalf of the nation, and the Church has been calling to God.
“We know that this is our time to stand before the throne of God and just ask for His mercy. We need His mercy.”
*Name withheld for security purposes.
Header image depicts the TM Lebanon team packing and delivering food to 200 families in Beirut in the name of Jesus. (Photo courtesy TM Lebanon)
