God,
With very little in the headlines, either good or bad,
Comes the freedom, complicating: What to mention in our prayers?
But not for the people, God, their lives are full.
Death and sickness, tired and poor.
Or bored and tempted, rich and proud.
Many somewhere in between.
Help Fulaana plan her week.
Help Fulaan to raise his kids.
Uncle John sees fraud at work.
Cousin Jane slights cousin Jill.
God, you know the names of each,
Their problems, troubles, foibles, sins.
The deeds of leaders rarely touch them.
The nations rage—they’d never know.
Forgive our prayers for things above us,
If we forget the souls around.
And then, oh God, when our eyes open
Give us open hands in turn.
Open hearts to hear complaining—
Valid in so many ways.
Comfort, comfort, for the people.
Let your healing come through us.
And with the freedom from confliction,
Let your blessing mark our words.
For Tripoli, God, we ask your provision.
For Sidon and Tyre and all of the south.
For Zahle and Baalbek, Bekaa and the mountains,
Grant your prosperity, knit tight their bonds.
But what of Beirut, God? Your anger or favor?
The seat of the government—corrupt or inept?
Or simply incapable, their agency lacking?
Acting out orders received from abroad?
Every week, we put them before you.
Every week, no visible change.
Strengthen our faith that we keep up petitions,
But widen our vision to see you at work.
How God? We know not. Our own sins encumber.
They block my rebuke of the sins that surround.
But God, your spirit soars within us
When we loose our tongue to bless.
Fulaan and Fulaana, Joe, Jane, and Jill.
But also the leader whose tongue I would cut.
Bless Beirut, God. Bless the nation.
Bless my neighbor. Bless my home.
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.
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: When Nothing Happens”
So comprehensive! Come Lord Jesus . . .
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