As the sun rises over the nation of Lebanon, it’s a new day. Overflowing with new possibilities, new promise, but bringing up old challenges.
It’s been nearly three weeks since Nawaf Salam was sworn-in as Prime Minister, yet he has been unable to form a government. Hezbollah, and those in the Shia party that support Hezbollah, have made his task nearly impossible. How long can this Harvard-educated President of the International Court of Justice stand against the spirit of intimidation imposed by an old and antiquated terrorist party? Even if he is desperate to see the change that the majority of his people support?
Not only does Lebanon have a new Prime Minister, but a new President as well: Joseph Aoun, a Maronite Christian, took office on January 9th.
One Lebanese believer informed us that the new President’s wife is rumored to be a strong Christian and a powerful intercessor, so we should be diligent to pray for both her and her husband.
So yes, we hear the sound of rain. The clouds are heavy, alive with potential, even the Cedars are ready to flourish. The righteous in the land are crying out day and night for leaders that will resist the pressure and reject the intimidation from Hezbollah. Let us join our voices to theirs, praying for their leaders to find the strength and to stand with both courage and boldness, against the old ways.
And what of Israel and the conflict in the south?
Even certain Muslim leaders have begun to speak of a peace agreement with Israel, a concept that, in the past, could not even find voice. Now however, there are rumblings; speaking out about it is no longer taboo.
To quote the writer of a February 3rd article on this subject from the publication This is Beirut,
“The Iran-backed [Hezbollah] militia is weakened, but not dead. It is planning a comeback, even if it does not yet know how. Hezbollah will do what it can to derail peace with Israel, but without its arms or ability to deploy violence, its opposition will be mute and ineffective.”
“The Iran-backed [Hezbollah] militia is weakened, but not dead. It is planning a comeback, even if it does not yet know how. Hezbollah will do what it can to derail peace with Israel, but without its arms or ability to deploy violence, its opposition will be mute and ineffective.”
We can only hope, or better yet pray, that the voice of Hezbollah will stay mute. May their influence become more and more ineffective, until they have no more power at all.
And it seems the Lebanese people have found themselves with an unexpected and entirely unofficial ally in Israel.
“In a column in Arabic, academic Bashar Haidar encouraged the Lebanese to call a spade a spade: Getting rid of Hezbollah, which obstructed change and reform, would have been impossible without Israeli power. To be sure, Haidar argued, Israel did not do it for charity or because it has the Lebanese interests at heart, but did it for its interests. Regardless of Israel’s intentions, its war that took out Hezbollah gave the Lebanese a chance that Haidar urged his compatriots not to waste.”
And the believers we talked to in Lebanon are determined not to waste this chance. Let us act alongside them, going to our knees in prayer, to cry out for the rain of change.
As an old Arabic proverb states, “rain starts with a drop.”
So now, let us pray for rain.
“The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.” (Psalm 104:16)
PRAYER POINTS:
- Pray for President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as all other leadership, to stand strong against the pressures and threats from the old guard still in alliance with Hezbollah. Pray against the spirit of intimidation, that leaders will make right choices with clear vision, and that every decision will pass through the Lord’s hands. Pray that Prime Minister Salam will be successful in rightfully forming his government, and that integrity, righteousness, and justice will prevail in every sector.
- Pray specifically for Lebanon’s Ministry of Finance. In this sector of government, the Shia party held previous control and through corrupt means funneled finances to Hezbollah, essentially financing their reign of terror instead of sending it where it was most needed: improving infrastructure vital for growth and development. In essence, funds that should have gone to improvement (electricity, telephone, tourism, roadways) were used to fund war instead. Pray against corruption in the Ministry of Finance as well as any other area of government; Pray that the Ministry of Finance would find an honest, upstanding leader who understands what the nation needs and be determined to see it flourish. Pray that the new leaders will stand against the negative influences, no matter how powerful, to fight for the future of Lebanon.
- Pray protection over our Christian brothers and sisters in Lebanon, as well as any other voices that are speaking Truth. Pray for the Church to be strengthened and stand strong. Pray for the believers to shine brightly against the darkness. Pray in opposition to any attack, physical or spiritual, against the Church, Houses of Prayer, or other ministries. May God give strength to His people and healing to a nation.
Photo by Charbel Karam on Unsplash