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5 Ways To Pray For Lebanon

Hannah Chaoby

We’ve seen the video of the explosion in Lebanon. We’ve seen the destruction, the chaos, and the overwhelming sense of dread. We know that dozens of people have been killed, hundreds are injured, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes.

So we want to encourage our Christian brothers and sisters to pray for the country and, if possible, to give financially. We hope this article can give you more information about Lebanon so you can better pray and help those who are in need.

A Brief Introduction To Lebanon

Lebanon is located in the Middle East, just north of Israel. The Mediterranean Sea is to the west, and it is bordered by Syria to the north and east. Its capital is Beirut, which has been a regional hub for finance and trade.

But the country has been through periods of great political turmoil since 1975. First, there was the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), during which the country was partially occupied by both Syria and Israel. There also have been political protests, such as the Cedar Revolution (2005), as well as armed conflicts, including the 2006 Lebanese war against Israel.

In 2019, protest erupted again over the country’s stagnant economy, lack of basic services, and corruption. People also marched to protest the rise in inflation and distrust of their political leaders.

Furthermore, Lebanon has been host to many refugees who flee neighboring countries. The Lebanese government estimates that 1.5 million Syrian refugees, who fled the Syrian Civil War, are within its borders. The prolonged conflict in Syria has made it difficult for the refugees to return home, leading to conflicts with the Lebanese government.

According to the World Factbook, a little more than half of Lebanon’s citizens are Muslim (61.1%), with 33.7% are Christian, with Maronite Catholics making up the majority of that group.

How To Pray For Lebanon

1. Pray For The people. Grieve And lament With Them.

Pray for those who have lost loved ones. Pray for those who are injured. Pray for those who have lost homes or businesses. Be an intercessor and call out to God on their behalf.

2. Pray For Food And Resources.

One of the more devastating news to come out of the aftermath of the explosion is that the blast destroyed Lebanon’s main grain silo. Although reserves will be able to feed the nation for about a month, there are questions about how they will be able to build up the reserves, especially since the port is heavily damaged, as well as how the supply chain will be affected. Please pray for aid to come to Lebanon in the form of food, as well as building supplies and other materials so the country can begin to rebuild.

3. Pray For Doctors, Hospitals, And Medical Supplies.

Like much of the world, Lebanon has been affected by COVID-19, meaning its health care system is already strained. Please pray for the health and safety of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Pray that people will get the proper care they need in the coming days.

4. Pray For Social Stability And Peace.

Lebanon has been through great upheavals in just the past few decades. Pray that this cataclysmic event will not cause more turmoil, but rather it would unite the country. Pray that neighbors would help one another. Pray that strangers would become friends.

5. Pray For The Christians And Churches In Lebanon.

According to Joseph Kassab, president of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, the areas nearest the port explosion are primarily Christian neighborhoods. Many churches themselves were affected by the blast. Pray that the churches there would be united on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that they would be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit to call upon the name of the Lord and help the neighbors around them. Pray that they would be the hands and feet.

Local Christian Organizations In Lebanon

Editor’s Note: This list is not exhaustive nor an endorsement. You should also check your own denomination’s resources to see if they have programs to help local churches or communities in Lebanon.

Further Readings

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Hannah Chao

Hannah Chao is the editor of SOLA, where she also often writes. She has been editing for SOLA's website since its inception in 2016. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.A. in print journalism. She is currently attending Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and working toward her Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies. Hannah is a member of All Nations Community Church. She is a wife and mom of two beautiful girls.