Lebanese Alliance ministry leaders in Beirut are asking all of us to pray for Lebanon, reminding us that the situation in the country was extremely fragile even before the blast.
From Beirut, mission partners report that following the horrific explosion Tuesday 4 August, there is a “strange mixture of thankfulness and anger” with many Lebanese people feeling grateful that their lives were spared, yet upset that there was failure by authorities to keep people safe from what many are calling a preventable tragedy.
Another great and probably more pervasive feeling is sadness and brokenness; many people have known violent explosions in the past and have traumatic memories. Feelings are stirred and sometimes difficult to process. The feeling of hopelessness was everywhere before; now it is much greater.
In some ways it is a continuation of the disruption caused by the revolution and COVID-19. The future of the economy was already very bleak. It is possible that this problem is so big that the difficult transformations required in the economy may be allowed to start.
“There are many Christians here and there is much physical work to do—and [untold opportunities] to share God’s words of comfort,” notes one ministry leader. “Pray for churches to work together. People are shaken, and we remind them that there is a greater security to be found in God.”
As for churches, one is raising funds to help people rebuild and find medical support if necessary; they are responsible for around 800 refugee families and are key workers in the community. Another that was empty at the time of the blast suffered a lot of damage. Many windows are broken, the suspended ceiling has come down and equipment has been thrown to the floor. The church has a very strong message of hope and comfort and will be needing to receive mercy and pass it on.
U.S. Alliance President John Stumbo writes,
“Just in the last few years, I’ve walked the very streets that now lie strewn with rubble. I’ve worshiped and preached in our sister Alliance church that has suffered much damage. More significantly, I’ve spent time getting to know the leaders of our Alliance family in Lebanon and have come to respect them deeply. I remind the US Alliance today that this is one of our family members. It is one of our beloved national churches, the fruit of mission sending of decades past. They are now in need of and worthy of our support. Please join me in praying and financially supporting them as their long journey of rebuilding begins.”
Please pray also:
- for an outpouring of God’s comfort and peace on those who mourn the loss of the 200 known dead (number likely to increase as the rescue and recovery operation continues).
- for a touch of the Holy Spirit on everyone who feels broken, despairing and hopeless.
- for healing and peace for the 5,000+ who have been injured
- that there will be enough medical personnel and supplies for immediate needs
- for adequate mental health care to be available to those struggling with despair
- for the safe short- and long-term accommodation for 300,000 suddenly homeless people and that there will be a coordinated response to food relief.
- for our work colleague H, a young Christian man who is now on the brink of suicide as he has reached rock bottom, saying, ‘I wish I had died in the explosion.’
- for another man who is currently in a coma in ICU with a serious head injury from the blast.
- that God would grant us strength and wisdom as to how to prioritize our time and energy.
May this catastrophe be a catalyst for change in this land. May God have mercy and may His will be done in Lebanon.