[2025 Ramadan] Day 27: Lebanon, the Key to the Arab Heaven!

Lebanon, known as the "Paris of the Middle East" and the "Switzerland of the Middle East," is one of the most beautiful countries in the region. In the Bible, it is part of Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey. The Lebanese are descendants of Canaan and of the Phoenicians, the first people to create an alphabet. It is also the land of cedar trees, from which Solomon's Temple was built.

Lebanon has the largest Christian population in the Arab world and served as a base for early Arab missions, translating and publishing the Bible in Arabic. However, evangelical Christians now make up only about 1% of the total population. The high birth rate among Muslims and the country's unstable situation have led many Christians to live abroad, further increasing the Muslim population. Politically, the Christian Maronite sect is guaranteed the presidency, and they hold significant positions in national society. However, Lebanon's politics are based on a sectarian system, with political power distributed among religious groups to maintain a balance between Christianity and Islam.

2024 was a very difficult year for Lebanon. The Israel-Hamas war escalated into the Israel-Hezbollah war, resulting in 1.2 million refugees. Particularly in Hezbollah-controlled areas near the airport, many buildings were destroyed, and many people were killed and injured. The grief and despair of those who lost family and friends in the war were immeasurable, and the destruction of numerous buildings made the timeline for recovery uncertain. Hezbollah also lost a significant portion of its forces and faced blocked external aid.

However, God is at work in Lebanon. Hezbollah's violence and arrogance are subsiding, and there is a time of hope. During the war, the hearts of Lebanese souls became fertile ground, and now, it is believed that a time of grace will come, turning it into a forest.

During the war, community youths in region A asked missionaries if they would also leave Lebanon, as they watched foreigners residing in the country depart on chartered planes. When told that they would stay with the Lebanese souls to the end, the community youths rejoiced, realizing that being together in difficult times was a great source of strength. In region B, when people had to flee their homes due to the war, they were temporarily sheltered at the center, provided with meals, and served in various ways, with daily evening prayers and worship. They also delivered food to refugee centers, set up tents, and provided necessities, finding grace in serving and caring for others during difficult times. Many local churches opened their doors to help and serve the numerous displaced Shia Muslims.

God is with Lebanon. During the war and now, God is with them and working among them. May the weary and burdened people of Lebanon come to the Lord and find rest for their souls. During Ramadan, as they engage in futile Islamic practices to reinforce their identity, may the Spirit of truth come as light, illuminating those who seek the Lord. May the Muslim people of Lebanon encounter Jesus Christ during this time of grace. May Lebanon soon become a fruitful field that is regarded as a forest, fulfilling its mission as the key to opening all closed doors of heaven!

[Today's Prayer]

1. May those whose hearts are broken and despairing find comfort in Jesus. May arrogant and violent hearts find rest in the gentle Jesus, and may the light of truth shine upon the souls of Lebanon, granting them eternal life.

   
   

2. May the churches of Lebanon rise up in the last days with the power of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling their mission as the key to binding and loosing for the entire Arab world, not just Lebanon. During Ramadan, protect all souls in the church community, reveal the truth to those who seek it, and meet those who desire to encounter the Lord, making this Ramadan a time filled with the good news of salvation. May the time of grace come quickly when Lebanon will be a fruitful field that is regarded as a forest!