10,000 Missing in Libya Floods

Mediterranean storm Daniel has killed more than 5,300 people in Libya’s eastern city of Derna and surrounding areas, as a bulging river busted through dams Sunday night on its way from the mountains through the city to the sea, carrying cars, buildings and people with it. Some 10,000 people are still missing, more than 40,000 people have been displaced, and the death toll is likely to rise considerably over the next few days. (Samy Magdy, AP Sept 12)

Libya is nearly 97% Muslim, with 31 unreached people groups that have yet to hear the good news about Christ. Due to intense persecution by Islamic extremists, this North African country is #5 on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of most dangerous countries for Christians.

Libya is effectively a lawless land where both native Christians and those passing through from other countries face extreme violence. With no central government to maintain law and order, militant Islamic extremist groups and organised crime groups both wield power. They target and kidnap Christians, and some believers have been killed.

If a Libyan from a Muslim background becomes a Christian, they are likely to face intense pressure and abuse from their family and the wider community to make them renounce their faith, or even be killed. Christians who publicly express their faith and try to share the gospel with others are likely to face arrest or retribution from extremist groups.

Open Doors’ 2023 World Watchlist

It’s interesting that even with such great opposition and danger, people are coming to Christ in Libya at a rate of 5.2%, when the US averages only 0.8%, and the rest of the world 2.6%.

Lord, have mercy, please. Rescue those who are lost, trapped or in need. Comfort those who mourn and heal those who are injured. Do it in a way that they will know it is You, so they will long for all the more of Your mercy and love. For those who are trapped or displaced, please meet them in their dreams and show them who You are. Provide for all their needs like only You can. Bring Christians to help with provisions, rescues, medical care and shelter, and open the way for them to freely share Your good news. Make this a special time of favor, where Christians are given freedom to speak of Your love. Cause the lost to hunger for You and seek You so desperately they will ask questions and find You. Rebuild their homes and families, but this time on You as their Savior, for only You are their Firm Foundation, their Rock, their Hiding Place. Bless Christians affected by the floods so abundantly they will be able to also bless their neighbors abundantly. And empower them to shine the peace, love, joy and mercy that only You can give in the midst of such tragedy.

Please stop the violence and war, and especially the persecution against Christians and those who want to know You. Guard Your people from beatings, human trafficking, imprisonment, torture and death. In the face of opposition and danger, give them boldness to stand strong in You and share Your message of love and forgiveness. Surround them with Your angels such that those who come against them will see You and fall to their knees in repentance and fear of the Lord. Be a Shield around every Christian, hiding them from those who wish to do them harm. Meet them in their times of fear, and comfort their anxious hearts with Your love and peace. Give them just the word they need from Your heart to overcome every circumstance and stand strong in faith. Bless them abundantly, providing more than they need in every area of their life so they will abundantly bless lost neighbors who are in need and share Your message of love with them. Please have mercy on the more than six million people in Libya who have yet to hear the good news of Your love and salvation, and give them a deep hunger to know You. Drive them to look for Bibles and Christians on the internet, or to travel to places where their lives will intersect with believers who will share Your love with them. So much lostness, Lord. So much violence and terror and hunger and fear, and now so much loss. Please have mercy. Remove the plaster from the eyes of those who are spiritually blind so they will at last see You as You truly are, lay down their hatred and religious pride, receive Your forgiveness, and run into Your loving arms. Awaken Libya to Your truth, O God. Set them free to worship You alone. To know You, to love You and to be saved.

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:

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