Libya: Praying into the crisis
The following statements are posted to aid informed prayer for Libya. 1.The West’s military campaign and attendant instability present strategic threats to Libya’s neighbours. 2. There is a large-scale refugee crisis. 3. The risk of infiltration by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb whose networks of activists are present in Algeria, Mali and Niger. 4. Mounting bitterness on both sides constituting a heavy legacy for any post-Qaddafi government. 5. When pressures finally force Qaddafi out there’s a possibility the transition to democracy could face a vacuum due to no second choice government waiting in the wings. 6. Political and security implications for Libya’s neighbours during government transition may well aggravate an already serious humanitarian crisis. 7. The prospect for Libya and North Africa is increasingly ominous, unless a negotiated compromise for an orderly transition to a post-Qaddafi state that has legitimacy in the eyes of the Libyan people is achieved.
Pray: for God to be in every detail of resolving Libya’s civil war. (Ps.4:1)
Libya: Prayer for new future
Arab World Media are sharing with you so you can pray with understanding. Pray for those 1) who need to work through what they have seen and experienced 2) the hurt and grieving 3) for healing, peace and a sense of community to prevail against fear or despair for the future 4) Many women have been raped - rather than being made to feel dirty and ashamed may they be supported and loved by families and community 5) Those who have committed war crimes to be brought to justice and that those bringing them to justice would do so lawfully 6) the National Transitional Council as it seeks to rebuild Libya and bring stability and for future leadership 7) Government to be just and fair, working against corruption and for the people 8) That all the hurt, suffering and pain would result in something greater than we can imagine and the name of Jesus to be known and glorified by many Libyans!
Pray: for mission agencies and tent makers to reach out to Libyans with the message and hope of Christ while tackling difficult subjects and questions. (Ro.15:21)
More: http://www.arabworldmedia.org/index.php/discuss/40-blog/206-hope-found-libya
Libya: Leader threatens 'force' to defend unity
Tribal leaders and a political faction declared autonomy for an eastern region of Lybia, but Abdel Jalil said, ‘We are not prepared to divide Libya,’ and called on leaders in the eastern Cyrenaica region to engage in dialogue saying infiltrators and remnants of Gaddafi's regime wanted to exploit them. He said he was ready to deter opposition with force. ‘The national charter contains provisions that protect this nation and it is like a constitution for Libya's future.’ Some tribal and political leaders in the oil-rich east are trying to carve out a semi-autonomous territory and have called for a federal system of governance. From 1951 to 1963 the country was split into three states-Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fezzan. Advocates of a return to federalism believe it prevents the east from being marginalised as was the case for decades, while opponents fear the initiative will split the country and stand in the way of reconciliation.
Pray: for God to help the leaders to faithfully represent Libya’s interests in this sensitive period. (Ps.33:10,11)
Libya: Islamic Sharia Law
Mustafa Abdul Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council, declared Libya a liberated nation in a ceremony in Benghazi on Sunday, three days after the death of former dictator Moammar Gadhafi and said ‘Islamic Sharia law will be the basis for the country’s new government.’ He called Libyans to show patience and tolerance as the transitional government begins rebuilding the country after eight months of civil war, promising all legislation will be based on Sharia law, and any laws that contradict Sharia will be nullified. The country's banking system will also be run according to Islamic principles. Jalil also encouraged anti-government protesters in Syria and Yemen to carry on until they ‘achieve their hopes.’
Pray: a new democracy to be birthed that would acknowledge and treat justly all religions in Libya. (Ps.119:45)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/October/Libyas-Transitional-Leader-Declares-Liberation-/
Libya: INSIGHTS
Unrest spreading across North Africa has hit a mighty resistance in Libya. An Open Doors’ contact in Libya reports, ‘It is much worse than the news items. There are no police in the streets, no safety or protection.’ See:http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/weekly-prayer-alert/2011/February/Revolution-in-the-Middle-East-Libya While president Muammar Gaddafi threatens major violence against protestors and anyone who demands he step down and hundreds already killed in attempts to silence protestors. Mission workers are saying, ‘Time is now for the Arab world to hear the Gospel’ and ‘usually we say hardship is difficult and we are scared of it, but hardship has brought blessing it has made us stronger in our faith, hopefully it will make the church bold enough to share the Gospel with the majority people.’ see For insights to aid prayer into the roots of Libya’s identity click the ‘More’ button. Pray for an end to bloodshed and that the unrest in Libya would pave the way for a Christian and democratic revival. (Hab.3:13) More: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/libyablue.pdf
Libya: Half an hour of tweets
8:32am - 3,000 Turkish citizens boarded two ferries at Benghazi early on Wednesday, The Orhan Gazi ferry left at 3:30 am with fifteen hundred and the Osman Gazi left an hour and a half later with another fifteen hundred. 20,000 Turks remain in Libya. 8:38am Libyan internet is blocked but a UAE-based columnist and prolific Twitter user has tweeted images grabbed from Al Jazeera Arabic showing images of street battles between security forces - he calls them ‘mercenaries’ - and civilians to be spread by Libyan cell phone. 8:41am Video emerged of regime backers rampaging through a Libyan city on YouTube by Muttardi, who describes them as, ‘mercenaries’ attacking. The screams of terrified onlookers are chilling. 9:09am Australia's ABC Radio phoned a man named Abdul in Tripoli this morning describing, ‘Black Africans’ in army clothes driving around in jeeps; jets and helicopters circling the city. Regime backers were distributing guns to anyone who said they supported Gaddafi. Pray: in this fast unravelling of events that God’s Kingdom will break through in power to those who call out. (Ps.116:4 & 8) More: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/02/22/live-blog-libya-feb-23