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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Dogs, Slaves, and FGM

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God,

As is fitting, we love our own. All too often, we fail to love others. Not infrequently, we degrade and discriminate where instead we should honor.

And in Egypt this week, examples confirm what is found in all men. Help the nation root it out.

During UN sponsored environmental meetings, a Kenyan official circulated a memo accusing her Egyptian counterpart of referring to sub-Saharan Africans as ‘dogs and slaves’. After an investigation, Egypt’s foreign ministry called the accusation a lie.

Racism is in the room, wherever the truth. But wherever the human, racism is in the heart.

God, may these nations cooperate to determine what happened. May they hold accountable the one at fault.

But may they also address the sentiment that deems the Arab over the African, or vice versa. May many examine themselves, and repent.

Hold true, God, the proper love of nation, tribe, clan, and self. May the people of the region find harmony in their many identities, ever widening their circles of concern.

Widen also the circles of trust. A cultural lack resulted in death for a victim of sexism, a close cousin of race.

Though Egypt and her religious institutions denounce FGM, a young girl died during her female circumcision. Inherited over the centuries, one justification says it is necessary to curb sexual desire.

God, may the tragedy cause her family to reflect. Forgive them the blind repetition of their fathers. Transform them to defend the wholeness of your creation.

May the neighbors learn, may the nation enforce. But may an entire mindset be changed.

Gender and race, God, and other divisions may be added to the list. Help Egypt, help us all, to esteem each other rightly.

Amen.

 

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Naked Sectarianism

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God,

It is ugly, but may it make a difference. It is embarrassing, but may it spur to action. Unfortunately it is real, and may it soon disappear.

In Upper Egypt a married Christian man and a Muslim woman had an alleged romantic affair. That was bad enough, but what followed was worse. A mob pilloried seven Christian homes in the village, and dragged the man’s mother naked through the streets. Police, say the reports, did not intervene.

Arrests have been made, but in similar incidents they have been made before. The authorities call for the guilty to be held accountable, but these calls have been made before. Church figures reject the extra-judicial use of ‘reconciliation sessions’, but they have been rejected before, and held anyway.

The state has a poor record in prosecuting sectarian crime. Society has a poor record in erasing sectarian sentiments.

Religious leaders have been dispatched to address the situation. God, give the people ears to hear.

Dispatch also the hands of justice. Empower police – whether scared or sectarian – to play their God-given role in restraint. Enable judges – whether heavy in caseload or light in concern – to establish patterns of proper deterrent.

But God, fundamentally reeducate in the virtue of honor. Bless the codes that preserve worthy morality. Bless the motivation that enforces its standards.

But better integrate the virtue of mercy. Better equip the discipline of discernment. Focus responsibility on the individual; strengthen prevention in the community.

And if at heart there is religious contempt, purify the heart in personal repentance.

God, help the aggrieved to forgive; help the state to judge. In cooperation with both, may you convict and transform.

Purge Egypt of this poison, God. Honor all who honor you, and gently – but effectively – rebuke where Egypt falls short.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Fire in Cairo

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God,

Once before, Cairo burned. With fire true and abstract, she is threatened again.

The incidents are curious, God, and in the sequential diversity conspiracy spins. Familiar foes blame each other, while official authorities blame faulty wiring.

Settle the cause of every and all, holding accountable for each liability. Connect the dots or prove them random, but put the mind of the nation at ease.

For there is little shame in assuming the worst, God. A new tragedy springs every week, compounding problems as if under siege.

After a lengthy lull, unknown assailants gunned down officers in Giza. Sinai has been long troubled, but for many months the capital has been calm. The Islamic State has amped up its rhetoric against Egypt. Does this attack portend more ill?

Keep Egypt safe, God, from enemies far and near. That they exist is obvious. Identify them properly.

Concurrently investigated is a youthful online street comedy group. Much popularity has followed their satire of state, interpreted by others as incitement and insult.

God, the semi-strong can punish offense. The truly strong can bear with patience. Guide the youth from youthful indiscretion, judge them for any sinister plotting. Bless their creativity and channel it properly.

But restore to Egypt the confidence of upright conviction. Help society establish freedom, discern deviation, and reinforce responsibility. It is a hard balance, God, in the best of times. Give Egypt the strength to find it.

Which is near impossible when constantly putting out fires. Arson, accident, or negligence, God, install better detectors and sprinklers. Rid her of traditional asbestos, and cleanse her with holy rain.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Journalists vs Police

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God,

So much in Egypt is zero sum. Nullify correctly, or change the equation.

During recent protests over the Red Sea islands, several journalists were arrested. Many were quickly released. But when police entered the syndicate to arrest two journalists staging a sit-in, the majority believe a line was crossed.

Police had a warrant, but allegedly broke protocol and press law.

As the syndicate calls for the dismissal of the Interior Minister, police accidentally revealed an internal memo on how to discredit journalists. Newspapers united to boycott the minister’s name and use his photo in negative. Escalation is threatened, while other activists are arrested.

God, it is human to struggle. Negotiation is a vital art. But restore to Egypt the trust and decency necessary to determine what is best for all.

Best, God, is a free society with vigilant police. Best is a discerned transparency with vigilant journalists.

There are many understandable barriers to what is best, with many and diverse interpretations. But save Egypt from the barrier of protecting turf. Save her from the barrier of manipulating exaggeration.

Save her from herself, but from within herself. Promote personnel who can forge consensus while identifying wrong.

Help Egypt reform widely, discipline accountably, and fight honorably.

Make no one a zero, God, but fix every fraction. Bless Egypt, and make her whole.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Demonstration Denied

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God,

Discontent with the Red Sea islands has not been dissipated. But it has been kept off the streets.

For good or for ill, God. Egypt can ill afford another protest movement, unless she needs it altogether.

Egypt’s greater good can be debated, but it should include a right to protest.

And as 30% of the country believes the islands are Egyptian, help the nation deal with the aftermath of demonstrations denied.

Courage, God, for those who insist on protesting. Help them weigh well the cost of conviction, and judge the potential of redemptive sacrifice.

Determination, God, for those who defend the detainees. Help them divide between the true and the troublemaker, and may all receive a faithful due process.

Wisdom, God, for the members of parliament. Help them balance responsibility to both claim and constituent, and cast a vote of informed conscience.

For the people, God, grant awareness, ability, and agency. For the process, trust, transparency, and truth.

Bless the government with discernment and professional administration.

Bless the nation with peace.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Reuters 25

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God,

Ninety million Egyptians have a name. With truth and courage, may they state them freely.

For much can be hidden without it, God. The name of the Italian researcher is known, and have mercy on him. But he was killed by the anonymous, as anonymous others point to a culprit.

Reuters will protect these sources, as good journalism must do. But they ask readers to trust them, as others call false.

Judge between them, God, and hold the guilty accountable. But make Egypt a place where none will ever need to hide their name. Let all be transparent. Let all be true.

For on the 25th, some will rally publicly while others wear a mask. In continuation of protests over the designation of Red Sea islands as Saudi territory, thousands may again descend to the streets.

They are unlikely to have authorization to do so. God, give wisdom to the government, to permit, forbid, or restrict. May no blood be shed. May all act honorably.

And give grace to Egypt, to meet these challenges righteously. Correct. Reprove. Transform. Redeem.

Let all be done before the public eye. Let the name of Egypt merit respect. So too for each of the ninety million.

Amen.

 

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Two Islands

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God,

Uninhabited but geo-strategic, Egyptian blood was spilled to defend Tiran and Sanafir at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea. Thankfully, no blood was spilled defending them yesterday.

Right or wrong, thousands took to the streets, troubled by a government decision to recognize Saudi Arabian sovereignty over the islands. As the king arrived to sign multi-billion dollar aid and investment agreements, the decision bore the appearances of a sale.

The government released official documents to demonstrate historic Saudi ownership in a belated attempt at damage control. The government also long presided over popular understanding that they belonged to Egypt.

But the anger is hard to measure. Is it nationalism or revolution? Is it single issue outrage or pent up frustration? Is it sincere love of land or long awaited excuse?

Protests were prevented at many locations throughout the country, but permitted downtown. There were arrests, but no deaths. A follow up is scheduled for April 25, Sinai Liberation Day.

Is it state prescience to allow opposition to vent and permit a degree of protesting rights? Or is it state impotence to shut down the street completely?

God, there is much to ask of you. These two islands threaten to shift the equation, for good or ill.

Determine the border. Let public discussion turn on the truth of the matter, encompassing all legal and moral claims.

Establish transparency. Let government and society nurture openness, reforming policies for greater public trust and accountability.

Cultivate civic duty. Let rights and responsibilities seep into public practice, shaping both governance and protest after a long emphasis on stability.

Grant discernment. Let authorities respond rightly to international realities and public mood, coalescing with protesters seeking right outcomes through legitimate means.

God, define the above consistent with overall justice, redeeming Egypt from all errors contemporary and historic. Create a society where righteousness will rejoice and people will prosper.

Let these islands be an opportunity, God. Guide Egypt accordingly.

Amen.

 

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Coming King

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God,

As royalty comes to Egypt, prepare well the welcome. It is largely Saudi largess that has kept afloat the republic.

But may the need not be so great, God. Inspire investment. Attract tourists. Send global trade through the Suez Canal.

And until then, help Egypt act an appropriate ally.

For on some issues they differ dramatically. Bring peace to Syria, with or without Assad. Guide rightly on Islam, with conviction and respect.

And where they align, help them do right. Settle the issues of political religion with justice, transparency, and visionary acumen.

God, bless both president and king. In vastly different contexts they share the same trust. May they serve their people. May they honor you.

Speak to them, God, as they speak to each other. Help them find the good path forward in difficult times.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Program Hijacked

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God,

Forgotten after the unfortunate farce of a hijacking, the Egyptian cabinet presented parliament with its governing program.

Bless their efforts, God. May wisdom have drafted it, may courage implement it, may discernment amend it to whatever degree necessary.

May transparency accompany it. May accountability characterize it. May prosperity follow it.

God, help Egypt pass through this difficult period. But even when her problems are not self-inflicted, something arises to hijack recovery.

This time, a man on a plane with a fake bomb and a strange story. How much further damage will he cause to tourism?

Did he want his ex-wife and kids? Did he want the release of female prisoners? Did he act out of right mind? Did he act out shrewd agenda?

Whether a cry for help or a whimper of defiance, God, mend him as an individual. Care for his family, do right in their broken relationship.

And do right in Egypt. Restore tourism and make it safe. Renew investment and spread its benefit. Care for the nation; mend her broken relationships domestic and foreign.

Give insight to the authorities, God. Give agency to the people. Together may they govern well.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Italy, NGOs

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God,

The facts known or the story straight. Above board or underhanded. In Egypt this week it is one or the other. God, let it be the former.

For there are many who doubt, many who accuse.

Egypt announced the ID of the Italian researcher tortured and murdered two months ago was found in a home connected to a criminal gang killed in a shootout with police.

A joint investigation is being conducted with Italy, but some on both sides of the Mediterranean consider it far too tidy a conclusion. These point figures at Egyptian police, who have made clear they had no role in his disappearance.

At the same time, dozens of civil society organizations have been named in the reopening of a file linking them to illegal foreign funding, sponsored to work against the regime.

Investigations are proceeding, and over the years the state has left a murky legal field for NGO operation. But some on both sides of the Atlantic consider this an assault against independent voices, though Egypt insists it simply wants compliance with the law.

God, provide the truth.

There are criminals somewhere, find them. Civil society needs funds, provide them.

If accusations against Egypt are true, her moral morass grows deeper with each new revelation. If Egypt is innocent, the force of the onslaught against her grows stronger.

Whether guilt is mixed or confined to one side, hold the responsible accountable, God. Sooner rather than later, let there be transparency.

Through it all, preserve Egypt and her people. Bless them, and may their story, with all its facts, one day be celebrated.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Depreciation, Again

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God,

Value the Egyptian currency properly. Value more the lives affected by its fluctuation.

But aid also the greater factors: Return tourists, attract investment, stimulate entrepreneurship.

And limit also the greater consequences: Curb inflation, fight gouging, shelter the poor.

Yet reform also the greater context: Simplify laws, expose corruption, grant stability.

God, much is wrong in Egypt, but much is also possible. Give wisdom to political and economic leaders to set things right.

Give courage to officials to implement. Give patience to the people to endure. Give rebuke, as necessary, to beneficiaries of current dysfunction.

Properly distribute the currency, God. Value the people, and answer the persistent fluctuation of hope.

Float Egypt on a high and rising tide.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Okasha, Colleagues

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God,

Guide the man. Guide the professionals. Guide the parliament.

Guide them all to guide the government.

Tawfik Okasha is a loose cannon, a conspiracy theorist, and a now former member of parliament. His colleagues revoked his standing after several weeks of theatrics and dinner with the Israeli ambassador.

God, he is a hard man to figure. Is he a player or a pawn? A visionary or a reactionary? Either way, bless him. Refine him. Multiply every good and right principle he latches on to, and hold him firm as storms assail. Forgive him for the excess of every storm he unleashes himself.

Act similarly with the body of his former parliamentarians. Marshall their strength as the representatives of the people, and help them honor Egypt.

Give peace among neighbors, and justice within nations.

Egypt’s doctors and journalists believe they pursue this locally. Both level their protests against the security establishment, for colleagues assaulted and colleagues imprisoned. In their target and their numbers they are exercising pressure long absent from the Egyptian scene.

Give them wisdom, God, and with them the government. In a still sensitive and fragile context, help them establish good patterns for right expressions of grievance.

And may the government preempt them, to act before its hand is forced. But when challenged may it respond in grace, weighing the perfect against the possible, implementing with discernment all that you find right and good.

Act through individuals, God, with all their foibles. Act through collectives, with all their clamor. Guide Egypt forward, and give her peace.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Reform 2030

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God,

Egypt’s president looked ahead 14 years and saw a place of economic success. Make it so.

But he also looked at the present and admitted shortcomings in human rights. Make it change.

This week a new port opened in the Suez Canal.

This week another writer was jailed for his content. And teenagers for alleged blasphemy. And an anti-torture NGO threatened with closure. And…

But the police have committed to propose new legislation to better govern performance and community relations.

And a doctor convicted of female genital mutilation finally loses his license.

God, there is much to be concerned about. There are signs of progress. And people can differ over which is which.

God, help Egypt to square her laws with her constitution. Help her to enforce them with justice. Help her to create and open and transparent climate for culture and business.

But which clauses, God? The ones guaranteeing rights and freedoms, or the ones regulating in accordance with sharia?

And which laws? The ones facilitating central state control, or the ones privileging the private sector?

So many contradictions in Egyptian society are not yet ironed out. So many conflicting values are at odds.

Perhaps there is no essential struggle. With freedom comes responsibility. With license comes oversight. But help government and society together to find the place of consensus. Help limits be defined, known, and acceptable to all.

And then bless those dissenting, willing to challenge. But may all act with respect, and bear their weight of their role.

God, may it not take 14 years. But whatever time is necessary, make it right.

Make Egypt whole.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: State and Men

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God,

Two of Egypt’s leading statesmen passed away this week, both in their 90s, one day apart. Have mercy on Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former general-secretary of the UN, and Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, the leading journalist of his era. May they rest in peace.

As Egypt honors their memory, may she raise up replacements. Help this generation of politicians, businessmen, and cultural elite to stand on their shoulders and carry the nation forward.

But God, help them first to define well the proper relationship between state and men, to make it possible. Help Egypt to answer: Who serves whom?

For this week also there are people in detention who have not faced trial for nearly two years. There are public figures arrested over offensive words. There are civil society organizations threatened with closure. There are suspicions of police brutality, and officers acquitted in cases of torture.

God, resolve each question according to its merits. Bear justice both for victim and accused. But allow no soul to be sacrificed for a construct; permit no reputation to be marred for a collective.

Honor all, person and people. Build institutions, society and state. Let them work together in harmony, each drawing strength from the other.

For if not, few will be able to rise to the level of a previous generation. Bless Egypt with a working state; bless her with developed men.

And then, call forth the statesmen. May they lead Egypt toward peace.

Amen.

 

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Maadi, Murder

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God,

The news this week is gruesome, and hits too close to home.

An Italian researcher was found dead on the side of the road with signs of torture evident. And a six-hour police siege near a Cairo suburb popular with foreigners resulted in the death of two alleged terrorists.

Egypt needs peace, God. Perhaps these are signs of a desperate resistance smoldering on its last ashes. Perhaps it signals deeper issues that threaten stability for the unforeseen future.

Either way, God, make Egypt safe. Safe for the residents from the infiltration of criminals. Safe for the foreigners most usually welcomed.

But these days are not usual, God. Frustrated by loss of political power some are turning to violence. Frustrated by lack of international support some are enflaming xenophobia.

The hope is not a return to normal, but an establishment of good. Make Egypt vibrant. Help Egypt flourish. Free her from the tensions that bind her spirit.

May foreigners listen, learn, and share liberally. May Egyptians prosper, police, and inspire politically.

God, give comfort to the Italian’s family. Give comfort to the nation he studied. May no life be lost to vanity. May no horror undo a home.

Amen.

 

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Revolution Blasphemy

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God,

Another revolutionary anniversary has come and gone, this one quieter than in years past. But as the narrative is tested, so also the freedoms that came in its wake.

Give wisdom to society, to know where it stands.

Was the revolution a conspiracy? So say many pundits. Was it a national moment? So say many officials.

Most important God, make the truth known. However nuanced the answer, help Egypt understand rightly the last five years of tumult.

Prod all to remember. Preserve all who record. Protect all who reveal. Publish all in transparency.

Discredit all who manipulate. Honor all who build.

And in the building, come consensus. In particular about right and wrong.

For another figure fell this week to the blasphemy law, God. Criticizing the practice of a holiday, she slighted a tradition of the religious. And for it a judge sent her to jail.

There is a truth about you, God. Yet of it people differ. These differences matter in faith, but they also matter to a people.

May they not be offended, nor give offense. But what when they are? And what when they do?

The answers, God, strike different peoples as near inviolable principles. So make clear to all where your principles lie.

Guide Egypt in truth, in freedom, in respect, in responsibility. In humility, help her balance between them.

This, God, would be a revolution. Interpret the former, inspire the latter.

May there be proper reverence for all things holy.

Amen.

 

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Finding Balance

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God,

Take care of Egypt. Every nation needs stability, as every nation needs liberty. Balance her rightly as friends fight for leverage and enemies aim to topple. May an honorable equilibrium come, and soon.

With January 25 on the horizon, make the nation safe, free, and wise. The government moves against protest, while a weakened Brotherhood calls for revolt. Few anticipate great mobilization, but more fear sporadic violence. Already a bomb has killed police and civilian alike in Giza.

God, develop Egypt so that protest does not presage a crisis. Give outlets for grievances and redress for wrongs. But make this part of a dynamic system, with officials and citizens agreed on the rules.

And let similar wisdom come to bureaucracy. Parliament paused its wholescale approval of interim laws to reject the reform of civil service.

God, you know if this particular effort was worthy. It is good for one branch of government to check another. But find a way to protect millions of employees and to make efficient their performance.

One thought is to move them all away. The president has proposed a new administrative capital, and the president of China has agreed to finance. With him twenty other projects have been negotiated, as Egypt makes more diverse its international posture.

The more friends, the more flexibility. But also the more responsibility and intertwine. God, may Egypt play this game well, for the benefit of her people and the region.

Governance, though, is not a game. Politics can make it so, and protest can be zero sum. But in navigating all, lift Egypt to the greater principles.

May she give her people security to live, and freedom to thrive. And an honorable equilibrium, to bear well this trust.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Review and Oversight

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God,

As the Egyptian parliament begins its constitutional mandate, provide it the wisdom necessary to serve the country well.

Its first task is the review the dozens of laws passed in its absence. Given the restricted timeframe of fifteen days, they are widely expected to pass the great majority. But particular attention will be given to the controversial protest, health care, and civil service laws.

So God, make this process more than a rubber stamp. Divide the parliamentarians well into committees of their expertise, and give each law its due.

Its second task is the oversight of government performance, of which it has authorized an investigation earlier than expected. The central auditor released a report detailing extensive state corruption, but a presidential committee said he misrepresented figures. Parliament will now weigh between them.

The auditor has been accused of working to bring down the regime on behalf of the Brotherhood. He says he has documents to back up his claims.

So God, divest this case of its political overtones. Open the books to allow full transparency, and call each expenditure to account.

Parliament is a diverse body, God. There are many serious members to be sure; but opening days have been a media circus.

In these early days, knit them together in partnership and divide them effectually over the issues. Give the body its weight as a separate power, to help hold the system in check.

May they lead, and help them serve. Bless Egypt, God, and the representatives of her people.

Amen.

 

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Christmas, Terror

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God,

As Egypt receives echoes of both hope and horror, make true the promise and put down the threat. Help the people live in peace.

The president once again visited the papal cathedral for Christmas mass. He esteemed the unity of the nation and assured all destroyed churches would be repaired this year.

But terrorists once again killed policemen, destroyed pipelines, and targeted tourists—this time at a popular beach resort. It is a reminding blow to the notion that Egypt is secure.

So God, help Egypt remember correctly.

May she recall neighborly relations between religions. May she resolve through pain of innocents lost.

Let churches be rebuilt and Muslims also celebrate. Let grief heal wounds and reach out in forgiveness.

Otherwise echoes risk ringing empty. Hearts will be hardened and divisive lines reinforced.

God, amplify the sounds of hope. Revive the pulse of justice. Erase the marks of hostility.

Egypt has a long way to go. Echoes alone are monotonous. Strike forth a symphony, and bid her rejoice.

Amen.

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Friday Prayers for Egypt: Consensus and Ideal

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God,

Bless Egypt in this new year. Lead her to prosperity, lead her to justice. Lead her into common understanding of your ideals for both.

To a great degree consensus is forming, God. Presidential popularity figures remain high. A non-polarized parliament was elected. The controversies of the revolutionary period are being left behind.

But so also, some say, are its promises. Thousands of Egyptians remain in jail. The economy is faltering. Familiar accusations are leveled against security excesses.

God, your ideals have not yet come. Do not let Egypt rest content in a consensus that falls short of the best you wish for the nation.

But guard also against two dangers: The discontent that rails against any shortcoming, and the conflation of particular political vision with your will.

This year, God, help Egypt to function. Help her to reform.

Help her pay her debts. Help her feed her people. Help her navigate a treacherous regional balance.

Help her supply energy. Help her launch businesses. Help her develop true civil and political society.

Help her fight corruption. Help her end terrorism. Help her cultivate both prosperity and justice.

God, bless Egypt and her people. Give them unity, give them peace.

Amen.