Global Ministries

Dear friends,

Since this prayer and worship moment were written, Lebanon has experienced protest demonstrations and the resignation of the Prime Minister and his cabinet. The churches in Lebanon issued this joint statement during the protests in October.  Please keep Lebanon in your prayers during this time of social and political change.

Lectionary Selection: Luke 20:27-38

Prayers for Lebanon:  

Almighty God, today as we pray for Lebanon, we trust in your wisdom, patience, and authority. We open your Word and we read this message again and again.

While teaching in the temple, you were questioned and tested numerous times by those trying to trap you, not to trust you. But you took the time to show them that your message was about life and living.

When we come to you, help us to trust you and not to doubt your wisdom or your plan. You know each of us, you know our questions and our needs. Grant us peace in this place where there is so much unrest and turmoil. As the country faces economic uncertainty and hardship, encourage us and give us hope. Help us to be confident in the certainty of your sovereignty and authority over all. Guide us to stand firm and focus on the living Word.

Hear us O lord. Listen to our cry. Turn your ear to us and hear our prayer, for our hope is in you. Amen.

Bendito sea el Dios y Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Padre de misericordias y Dios de toda consolación, el cual nos consuela en todas nuestras tribulaciones, para que podamos también nosotros consolar a los que están en cualquier tribulación, por medio de la consolación con que nosotros somos consolados por Dios. 2 Corintios 1:3-4

Lampedusa: Events of the last few weeks

Leggi in italiano Rome (NEV), 18 October 2019 – After the commemorations of 3 October, Lampedusa has fallen back into its tragic routine. In the last two weeks, 20 people died in the Mediterranean, their bodies were recovered by the coastguard and brought to the island. As for the landings, in the same period 21 fortunate people made it safely.  Read more....

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed grave concern for people’s rights and well-being in Lebanon.

Hundreds of thousands of people in all regions of the country have been gathering for nearly two weeks in peaceful and widespread anti-government protests. Recognizing the breadth and significance of the public mobilization, Prime Minister Saad Hariri has today announced that he will tender his resignation and that of the government.

The new issue of the Middle East Council of Churches' quarterly magazine, al-Muntada, (September-October 2019) is now available.  Al-Muntada is a platform where all free voices can be heard with your participation and support!

Click here to read the magazine.

We, the heads of Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant (Evangelical) Churches in Lebanon, as well as the heads of all male and female Monastic Orders, have gathered today at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki to consider the present national situation and crisis. 

This is a crisis that requires us to carefully monitor its developments, nay its transformations, to prevent the country from sliding into a dangerous track that could threaten the essence and identity of Lebanese existence.

At the outset, we affirm to our people that the Church has always stood by them and embraced their needs through its educational, health-related, and social institutions and services.  We hereby affirm our continued commitment to offering this ministry and services.

The Middle East Council of Churches:
We pray for the human dignity in Lebanon, the society's stability,
and for his Leaders commitment of its common good

The General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches, Dr. Souraya Bechealany, issued the following statement:

In the meantime when Lebanon is inflamed by the pain and the sorrow of his people, we pray for the Lebanese human dignity and the stability of its society. We also pray that God will inspire the leaders, and the people to serve the common good.

"Lebanon a message of freedom and peace" has always been a highlight in the Middle East, with all the anger of those protesters; we call on all our partners and friends in the world to raise prayers on the intention of this country and its people.

As a result of armed struggles and conflict, the beginning of the 21st century was branded as an era of forced migration. Millions of people were forced to leave their homes and belongings, in an attempt to escape the violence and merely rekindle hope for a brighter future. This led to unforeseen socioeconomic ramifications and pressures on host communities; a point which in no ways whatsoever should be blamed on those forced to displace.

The services of the Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) aim at enabling people to better organize their lives so that they can live with dignity in spite of the various difficulties and constraints that seek to inhibit them from "normal" living. Over 70,000 Palestinians benefit from the health clinics in DSPR areas of operation.

DSPR shares reflections on its work, written by Damaris, appointed by Bread for the World (Germany) to work with DSPR, following visits she made recently to Gaza, Lebanon, and Nazareth.

A message of thanks from the FDCD President, the Rev. Dr. Riad Jarjour

I am writing this message with a word of thanks and appreciation for all our partners and friends who have assisted in the Forum for Development, Culture, and Dialogue (FDCD)’s work and enabled us to fulfill our mandate in Lebanon and the wider region. FDCD has endeavored to carry out its programs and activities in the midst of a turbulent and fragile Middle East. Our staff has spared no effort in sowing the seeds of peace and justice and disseminating a culture of dialogue in our context. It goes without saying that FDCD has helped thousands of displaced people, alleviating their suffering through provision of aid in such a way that they can live in dignity. The same is true for programs which focus on peacebuilding and reconciliation, areas in which we have sought to gather people and build trust, promote forgiveness, establish respect, and foster equality throughout the region.