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Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14 KJV)

Dear American Baptists:

I invite you on Sunday, December 11, to remember Egypt and the Middle East in your prayers.  As events related to the Arab Spring continue to unfold across the Middle East, especially now in Egypt and Syria, the consequences impact not only the Middle East but the world.  We remember the faithful minority Arab Christiancommunity as well who live everyday only by the power of the cross. 

Since Biblical times, Egypt has been a pivotal influence in the region.  It is the largest and most populous country in the Arab world and inn many ways is its cultural, religious and political expicenter. It is also the home of the largest Christian community in the Arab world.  It’s role in brokering peace with Israel and maintaining its relationship with Israel has been the keystone to what little stability there is in the region.

Dr. Nabil Jabbour, an American Baptist physician with strong ties to healthcare ministries in Egypt, has urged us to name December 11 as a day of prayer for Egypt and shares the following prayer concerns which have arisen from within the Christian community in Egypt: 

Summary of Prayer Requests From Egypt, for Egypt

• Pray for the follow-up on the elections—that it will continue to go peacefully and people would have real freedom and not be pressured

• Pray for wisdom and grace for the Military Council and the rescue government to be appointed

• Pray for the deteriorating financial situation of Egypt

• Pray for our churches and institutions in order to demonstrate the love of Christ by serving our country

• Pray for strength and protection for all the volunteers, helping in the church medical clinic and those who are going to and from the front lines of the conflict to bring gas masks and other supplies to the protestors.

• Pray for Divine protection and healing for those who have been injured and/or inhaled (came in contact with) dangerous gases

• We need the Church worldwide to follow what is going on with us and support us in prayer

• Pray that violence would stop completely

• Pray for God to intervene in this conflict and accomplish His will and purposes in our country

In this Advent Season when we once again open our hearts to the mystery of God’s love revealed in the Incarnation, let our prayers arise in the promise of the angel’s song recorded in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (KJV)

Yours in Christ,

A. Roy Medley
General Secretary
American Baptist Churches USA

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