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Lent Prayer 2013 - Libya

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Lent Prayer 2013 - Libya

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Published: 00:01 GMT Standard Time - Thursday 07 March 2013

Lent Prayer 2013 - Libya

Country/Region: Middle East and North Africa, Africa, Libya

The future of Libya’s Christians still hangs in the balance following the revolution that toppled the country’s long-time ruler, Muammar Gaddafi , in 2011. Their position is highly insecure. Many expatriate Christians, who comprised the vast majority of the Libyan churches, fled the country when the violence erupted. There are very few indigenous believers, all of them converts from Islam; they often suffer intense pressure from their families and communities and have few opportunities for fellowship or support.

The Libyan revolution has not brought protection and freedom for the country’s vulnerable Christians
The Libyan revolution has not brought protection and freedom for the country’s vulnerable Christians

There are some small signs of hope. Some of the restrictions on religious freedom imposed by the old regime are no longer being enforced. The draft constitution gives non-Muslims the freedom to practise their beliefs and outlaws discrimination based on religion with regard to legal, political and civil rights. The July 2012 elections saw Islamist parties trailing behind an alliance of more liberal and secular groups.

However, the constitution also makes Islam the religion of the state and sharia the principal source of legislation. Evangelism among Muslims is still prohibited, and the right to convert from Islam is not guaranteed. Although in April 2012 the National Transitional Council banned political parties based on religion, the ban was lifted a week later. There are still serious concerns that future political developments will see Islamists gain the ascendancy, leading to even greater oppression of Libya’s Christians.

The country also remains unstable. Some regions are seeking autonomy; various militias are still in the field; and there have been many reports of human rights abuses. Vulnerable and isolated Christians and churches are still more at risk in such a context, especially from militant Islamists.

Pray for Christians in Libya facing a very uncertain future as political reform continues. Pray that the forces of Islamism will not prevail and that the religious freedom promised in the draft constitution will become a reality. Ask the Lord to protect Christian converts from Islam amid the hostility of their families and wider society, and also that He will watch over those expatriate Christians still trying to work and witness for Him. Pray too for the restoration of peace and stability in the country, to relieve the pressure on individual Christians and churches.

This article is taken from

“Praying for the Persecuted Church 2013” -  Download.

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christian, persecution, charity, church, persecuted, sookhdeo, Islam

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