Day 20
Brunei
But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Pray these verses for the people of Brunei, that they may hear Father calling to them. Pray that Brunei will be set free from the slavery of Islam, and might experience the freedom from the law that comes with sonship (The Bible, Galatians 4:4-7).
Brunei has boasted a small but prosperous economy. Its wealthy standard of living surely contributes to the wild popularity of its sultan who provides free health care, housing, and education to his countrymen. The nation has begun exploring alternative sources of income as it foresees its oil reserves running out. Sharia (Islamic) law was fully implemented in 2019. The enormous international backlash against the death penalty by stoning for homosexual acts resulted in the Sultan reneging and claiming the death penalty will not be applied, but concerns about the fate of Christians in the country remained out of the spotlight. Propagating any other religion than Islam is illegal.
Day 20
Lebanon
Lebanese security officials are concerned over plans by the Palestinian Hamas terror group to carry out an attack against Israel from southern Lebanon. The Beirut Observer published a list of Hamas members who were allegedly involved in planning attacks without the involvement of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which controls much of southern Lebanon. The implementation of any operation against Israel at this particular time will endanger Lebanon and add a new tragedy to its tragedies. There have also been several instances of rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel in recent years, with most blamed on Palestinian factions in the country. Pray that the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group’s misuse of the system will be exposed and destroyed. Pray that the enemies of the people will be exposed as wicked, and the adversary will be proven guilty (The Bible, Job 27:7).
Source:
Michel Aoun is the president of the Lebanese Republic and the head of state of Lebanon since 31 October 2016. The current prime minister is Najib Mikati, having taken office on 10 September 2021. Lebanon has suffered profound economic problems. The value of its currency has plummeted. Ramifications of the pandemic and its explosion in Beirut have added to the ongoing crisis. Unemployment and inflation have soared. Political turmoil continues. The emigration of Christian nationals is expected to heighten. Believers fleeing persecution in neighboring countries have commonly sought new beginnings in Lebanon, but the inability to find employment increasingly drives them to leave the MENA region. Christian organizations struggle to support destitute believers. In addition to Lebanon’s political and financial woes, another major challenge the country faces is the issue of refugees and the religious imbalance their presence represents.
