God,
“Can a merchant truly be free?”
The Maronite patriarch issued the question. From antiquity-present the nation is known.
But a middleman serves both sides of transaction. His value comes chiefly in those who he knows.
And Lebanese politics has many clients. A balancing act between powers too large.
Somehow the shuffling killed off the audit. The Central Bank finances will not be known.
The frustration is uttered far beyond the cleric. A judge censures the council that does not its job.
Tasked with the probe into state corruption, they sit on the files of which she demands.
And as yet more explosives get tallied in storage, dueling state agencies study the blast.
Over 300 pages detail the failures, with the presiding judge livid it also lays blame.
To date no official has been held accountable. The senior among them still haggle their posts.
The government languishes formless and void. The patriarch ponders: Is Lebanon lost?
God, you once shaped our world from chaos.
Your spirit hovered over the deep.
The mountains of Lebanon proclaim your glory.
The roots of the cedars recall merchants of old.
Days when their genius created an empire.
Built on foundations of sharing the good.
Can it return, God?
Can you make the government work?
Bless those afflicted with holy frustration.
Rebuke the many who cause it to be.
Burden their conscience and gird up their courage.
Awaken conviction to do what is right.
Let them count the pennies. Let them clean the port. Let them pronounce justice. Let them build a state.
Instead we see chaos breaking out further. Dozens of prisoners are out on the loose.
Five are dead – crashing the taxi they stole in escape.
Fifteen are caught – proving that many still honor their oath.
And four turned themselves in – repenting of how they just went with the flow.
What are Lebanon’s numbers, God?
Audit them in your wisdom.
Forget not your mercy.
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 
2 replies on “Lebanon Prayer: Merchants and Criminals”
PRAYER ON LEBANESE INDEPENDENCE DAY
(from the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East)
O Lord, let your saving love extend across all the earth this day – but especially across Lebanon. In the midst of a multiplicity of hurts, reveal yourself in your righteousness, your truth and your mercy. Bring the people of Lebanon out of these difficult conditions. Let Lebanon be like her cedar trees a testimony to the world, a testimony to the greatness and faithfulness of her Creator. We beseech you in Christ Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Thank you, Nishan.
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