After years and years of prayer by the Christians in Egypt for their country, at last we are starting to see an answer to our prayers! This is a testimony to what God is doing in our land, in spite of all the disturbances on the political scene that have affected the whole country, the whole Arab region, and the world.
On the 6th of February, the 13th day of the protests, the Egyptian people decided to name that day the “Day of the Martyrs” to pray and remember those who lost their lives (around 300 people) since the beginning of the protests revolution that started on the 25th of January. First, the Muslims prayed, with the Christians
forming a human belt around them to protect them, then the Christians were given a chance to speak on the platform in front of hundreds of thousands of Muslims. The Coptic Church refused to do Mass outside a church building, so our evangelical church said that of course they would do it! One of our elders, some worship leaders, and the youth pastor from our church in Cairo went to Tahrir Square (the central square in Cairo where all the masses of people were gathered), and went on stage proclaiming the name of Jesus and worshiping the Lord in public. This is the first time Christ has ever been proclaimed in public in Egypt, and hundreds of thousands of Muslims were listening and responsive to the message of peace that was delivered in the Name of Jesus.
Cries of “United as one” and “Let it be peaceful” were echoed and chanted by the
crowds. Our church elder told the crowd that we have a promise in the Bible that says blessed is Egypt My people, and they sang songs we had sung inside churches for years, but had never been allowed so sing in public. Songs with words like “Bless my country, You who hear the cry of all people, listen to the cry of our hearts, and send us the rain”, and also “Peace, peace for the people of Egypt, You left us the peace of God, unlike the peace of the world, and as long as your Spirit is living in is, Your people are always in peace”.
Then our church elder proclaimed to the crowd that over 2,000 years ago, a 30-year old man stood up against corruption. He stood for peace and was hated and killed for it. This Man is Jesus Christ, Issa Son of Mary, and in His Spirit we are standing now, calling for peace. “The spirit of peace will overcome hate, the spirit of truth will overcome the spirit of corruption”, he cried, and the people all cheered. “Egypt will be a land where there is freedom of worship, freedom and democracy for people of different faiths, Muslims Christians, or otherwise” he declared. “This is what we are praying for, a secular government, one people, a new society.
The Bible says ‘Perfect love drives away fear’ and this is what we have seen in the past 2 weeks: people loved their country, loved each other, and loved God, and they went out with no fear”. They then ended with a song that proclaimed Christ on our land, “This land belongs to the Son of God, you are the One who reigns in it, You are the Lord, You are God, lifted up in it…we will see Your promises, by your precious blood we will see miracles, Your cross protects us”
We were amazed at the people’s response, those hundreds of thousands of Muslims, as the elder ended with prayers, the people repeated after him or said “Amen”. They were prayers like “God teach us not to be afraid of fear, life is freedom, to
choose, and to live in peace, to love each other, and love You…Lord protect Egypt, Lord teach us to love each other, and love this country, bless Egypt Oh Lord”.
After it was over, one of the most famous Egyptian writers who had always written against Christians for years came to the elder, apologizing for all he had written, and promised to write this new side he had never seen of Christians coming in
the Name of Jesus speaking for love, peace, and justice.
Another Muslim public figure, noticing the absence of many Christians in the first few days of the protests, knew that we were fasting and praying for three days for the country, instead of going out in violence, and this is what he said on public TV… a wonderful testimony for Christ, given by a Muslim.
Since then, a prominent women asked permission for a few people from our church to
bring a few musical instruments, and every now and then, they gave them the platform to lead the people in prayer and worship. Once, this leader had them repeat the Lord’s Prayer after him!
How wonderful it is to hear the Name of Christ, and the Word of God declared in our land in freedom, after having been illegal to declare it in public.
For years, Christians have been trapped in fear, but also for years they have been praying for God’s boldness in sharing the Truth. And at last we are seeing it happen, and seeing more connection, new relationships built, and stronger unity between Christians and Muslims. We pray that God would turn all that is happening for His glory, for Christ to be glorified above all, and the gospel declared in Egypt, in the Middle East, and in all the nations!
Prayer Requests:
For wisdom and justice from the government and authorities in handling the change of government.
For the unknown future: danger of Islamic rule after change of governments and that the military of Egypt will not stand with pro-Muslim Brotherhood factions, and a smooth transition to a secular government.
That those who consider themselves Christians will express their deep frustration in a Christ-like honoring way, and not be tempted to “run” in troubled times.
That the Holy Spirit would bring spiritual revival to the Middle East through the prayers and witness of the Christians in these trouble times; and for many to know the real Savior as He reveals Himself and draws them to Him from all ends of the earth.
For protection of Christians across the Middle East
For the economy that has gone down and people who have lost their jobs in the last three weeks to recover quickly, and for the alleviation of poverty and unemployment.
For the church to be strengthened and for our ministry to grow and thrive in troubled times.
“In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a Savior and Defender, and He will rescue them. So the LORD will make Himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD…Blessed be Egypt My people”. Isaiah 19:19-21, 25
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