Friday, December 17
Lebanon
First and second graders pray together at the Evangelical School’s morning chapel service.
God’s Spirit is at work in a land recovering from decades of civil war. Deep wounds are being healed, and the scars of violence are covered over as the country rebuilds. Now a new generation is growing up in Lebanon with the promise of peace and opportunity.
The hope of the Holy Spirit flows through the children at the Evangelical School in Zahle where students from both Christian and Muslim backgrounds come together to learn. They are Lebanese and Armenian, Evangelical (Presbyterian) and Orthodox, Sunni and Shia. While hostility and mistrust still threaten their nation, these children embrace life in unity and welcome diversity.
Rivers of life-giving water flow from the witness of seminarians training to be protestant ministers at The Near East School of Theology in Beirut. The future church leaders of Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine are joined by students from Africa, Europe, and the Americas. By the power of the Spirit their ministry is already bearing fruit in Lebanon, and soon it will touch lives around the world.
Praise be to the Spirit of God working in our midst, refreshing and renewing us as we witness the living waters of faith spring forth from Christ’s followers in the Middle East!
—Mike and Deanna Womack, Evangelical School in Zahle. Deanna is also a preaching instructor at the Near East School of Theology, Beirut.
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Carol Dolezal-Ng, development associate, Near East School of Theology
The Rev. Dr. Nuhad Tomeh, regional liaison, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Iraq,
World Mission
Partners/Ministries
National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon: The Rev. George Murad, moderator, the Rev. Fadi Dagher, general secretary
The National Evangelical Church of Beirut: The Rev. Dr. Habib Bader, pastor
Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches: The Rev. Dr. Mgardish Karakouzian, president,
the Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, secretary
Supreme Council of Evangelical Churches of Syria and Lebanon: The Rev. Dr. Salim Sahiouny, president Near East School of Theology (NEST), Beirut: Dr. Mary Mikhael, president, Dr. George Sabra, dean
Lebanese American University (formerly Beirut University College): Dr. Joseph Jabbra, president
Jinishian Memorial Program: Mrs. Seta Pamboukian, director
The Syrian Orthodox Church • The Armenian Orthodox Church [Antelias, Lebanon: See of Celicia]
The Orthodox Apostolic Church of Antioch and All the East [Greek Orthodox Church]
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land: Rt. Rev. Munib Younan, bishop
Jinishian Memorial Program: Ms. Seta Pamboukian, director
Beirut Evangelical School for Boys and Girls
Tripoli Evangelical School for Boys and Girls
Sidon Evangelical School for Boys and Girls
Zahle Evangelical School for Girls and Boys
Nabatieh Evangelical School for Girls and Boys
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Barbara White, BOP
Prayer
Holy Spirit, from you flows the river of life. From you comes the water that refreshes our very souls. Wash clean the wounds of war. Wipe away the anger, hostility, and mistrust. Breathe new life into this land that it might spring forth with love, hope, and peace. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Ps. 102, 148 and Ps. 130, 16
Isa. 10:5–19
2 Peter 2:17–22; Matt. 11:2–15
