The day after Hamas invaded Israel, Hezbollah shot rockets from Lebanon, and Israel returned fire. The shelling that Sunday morning hit near churches gathered for worship in about a dozen Christian villages in southern Lebanon. Since then, many believers’ homes have been destroyed and their farmlands and surrounding forests set ablaze by hits from both sides. Caught up in a war not their own, the majority of these Christian families have relocated to places like Sidon, Tyre and Beirut. But some have continued to minister to those remaining in the affected area.
“This is not the first time that we have left, and every time, we come back to continue our ministry,” said Pastor Maroun Shammas of Deir Mimas Baptist Church. “God wants us to help people know Him.” He and others from his congregation help local Christian ministries distribute food boxes and school fees to affected families.
Most of southern Lebanon is Shiite Muslim, but Christians have lived peaceably with them and are known for their humanitarian aid to displaced Muslim families in times of war, especially in the border conflict of 2006. In this present battle, more than 46,000 Lebanese have been displaced, and Christian ministries have already distributed food boxes and other provisions to hundreds of Sunni and Shiite families, as well as Muslim-background Christians in at least 15 locations throughout southern Lebanon.
“This is living what we believe—a working faith,” said Pastor Rabih Taleb of Evangelical Presbyterian Church in the Christian village of Alma al-Shaab, which has suffered greatly over the past few weeks. “It is to show people that God loves them, through us, for His glory.”
(Read the full November 16 story by Jayson Casper at Christianity Today.)
Lord, please stop the violence and be a Shield around the innocent. Comfort those who have lost much and chase out their fear with Your perfect love. Meet them in their dreams, talk to them throughout the day. Let them feel Your presence with them, hear Your voice guiding them, and see all the ways You protect and provide. Perform signs and miracles and wonders amidst the chaos and danger, so all eyes will turn to You. Use Christians to shine Your love during this difficult time. As they pass out food boxes, as they fight fires, as they seek to help those in need, protect and guide them. Open up conversations so they can share the good news about Jesus. Through their words and love, bring hope in the midst of devastation, joy in the midst of sorrow, and faith to overcome fear. Shine Your love through them so powerfully Muslims will see You as You truly are, reject the hatred and violence of their religion gone wrong and choose Love instead. Watch over Christian families, farms, homes and churches and keep them safe from harm. Rebuild and replace what they have lost. Provide for their needs abundantly so they can also bless others abundantly. Be their Shield, their Fortress, their Help in time of need. Strengthen and multiply their churches. Begin a church planting movement that will spread throughout all of Lebanon and beyond, awakening the nations to Your love. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
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