God,
“In the Levant, we must carry our cross every day to remain.”
So spoke the head of Lebanon’s largest Christian party, hit by US sanctions.
Accused of corruption, many suspected are facing no penalty. Will they now fear?
Unstated, it may be because of his Shiite alliance.
Cabinet formation has lingered for months, perhaps awaiting the US elections.
God, is the crucible over?
It is not for many.
A Syrian refugee self-immolated, unable to afford medicine for his daughter.
Extreme poverty has tripled in one year.
And the accounts of the nation are still without audit.
Authorized by the state, the central bank did not yield.
Secrecy laws prevent sharing of files.
Three months have been given, to honor the contract.
Longer than subsidies are scheduled to last.
God, the crucible fires may only be stoking.
Lebanon may have more trials to pass.
Let the nation remain.
Clean up corruption, wherever it lies.
Provide for the poor, wherever they are.
Would doing the first, enable the second?
Would foreign aid come, if reform would prove true?
Let it not be needed, God.
Stand Lebanon strong, as a mountainous cedar.
Free from dependence on nations abroad.
Immune to their threats, unmoved by their favors.
Submitting herself to your cross alone.
A path of sacrifice. Service. Humility.
Repentance.
Give Lebanon leaders of upright conviction.
Forsaking their share in the national sin.
And after the crucible comes resurrection.
Only the penitent live to see you.
On their behalf, God, send your salvation.
Let Lebanon rise once again in Levant.
Amen.
To receive Lebanon Prayer by WhatsApp, please click this link to join the closed comments group.
Lebanon Prayer places before God the major events of the previous week, asking his favor for the nation living through them.
It seeks for values common to all, however differently some might apply them. It honors all who strive on her behalf, however suspect some may find them.
It offers no solutions, but desires peace, justice, and reconciliation. It favors no party, but seeks transparency, consensus, and national sovereignty.
How God sorts these out is his business. Consider joining in prayer that God will bless the people and establish his principles, from which all our approximations derive.
Lebanon Prayer places before God the major events of the previous week, asking his favor for the nation living through them.
It seeks for values common to all, however differently some might apply them. It honors all who strive on her behalf, however suspect some may find them.
It offers no solutions, but desires peace, justice, and reconciliation. It favors no party, but seeks transparency, consensus, and national sovereignty.
How God sorts these out is his business. Consider joining in prayer that God will bless the people and establish his principles, from which all our approximations derive.
Sometimes prayer can generate more prayer. While mine is for general principles, you may have very specific hopes for Lebanon. You are welcome to post these here as comments, that others might pray with you as you place your desires before God.
If you wish to share your own prayer, please adhere to the following guidelines:
1) The sincerest prayers are before God alone. Please consult with God before posting anything.
2) If a prayer of hope, strive to express a collective encouragement.
3) If a prayer of lament, strive to express a collective grief.
4) If a prayer of anger, refrain from criticizing specific people, parties, sects, or nations. While it may be appropriate, save these for your prayers alone before God.
5) In every prayer, do your best to include a blessing.
I will do my best to moderate accordingly. Thank you for praying for Lebanon and her people.
Jayson Casper 
One reply on “Lebanon Prayer: Crucible”
Amen!🙏🙏🙏
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