Lebanon Archives - Stories

Persecuted Christian Concerned for Cousin

vomtechsupport — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 07:07:07 +0000

Salim, a believer, shared the gospel with a cousin who now faces severe persecution. When Salim became a Christian, his wealthy family took away his job, and a few relatives tried to kill him. Those relatives even followed him to another country, hoping to harm him. But Salim’s faith grew stronger, and he shared it with other family members, including an older relative. At one point that relative became sick and asked Salim, “Why doesn’t your God heal?” Salim told the relative he could pray and ask the Lord himself, and when he did, he received answers to his prayers. Through Salim’s witness, several of his family members have committed their lives to Christ. But one cousin who became a Christian began facing severe pressure from his family and asked Salim to delete all their digital conversations. “Please pray that the Lord will protect him,” Salim asked, “and that he be with him and strengthen his heart.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Salim and cousin on iCommitToPray.com

God at Work in War Zones

vomtechsupport — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 08:07:03 +0000

Halim is a Muslim-background believer who fled to Lebanon from a neighboring country when his family tried to kill him. After arriving in the war-torn country, he decided to visit a local hospital amid ongoing attacks. “I was able to pray for five people and seek the Lord for them,” he said. “And I had a wonderful conversation with a young Palestinian man. I shared with him how Jesus can give peace and comfort.” Another former Muslim, Salim, came to know Christ and has been persecuted in his Shiite town in the Beqaa Valley. Salim fled with his family after his town was bombed in the ongoing conflict but had nowhere to go. He stopped his car on the side of a highway and began asking the Lord for help. While there, his former pastor called, said the Lord put Salim on his heart and offered his family a safe place to stay.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Halim and Salim on iCommitToPray.com

Front-Line Workers Face Danger in War Zones

vomtechsupport — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:07:07 +0000

Christians compose 33% of Lebanon’s population, the largest percentage of Christians in any Middle Eastern country, which has made Lebanon a place of refuge for many persecuted Christians from throughout the region. But the ongoing conflict in the region has created a dangerous environment for front-line workers there. “Bombing is happening on a daily basis in Lebanon,” said one front-line worker. “And one happened very close to one of our workers as he went to meet with some persecution survivors.” The worker requests prayer for “all the churches and Christians there to be fruitful instruments in the hands of the Lord to spread the gospel in such volatile and dangerous circumstances in Lebanon.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Christians in Lebanon on iCommitToPray.com

Abusive Husband Trusts in Christ on Christmas Day

vomtechsupport — Thu, 16 May 2024 07:07:04 +0000

Yasmin, who grew up as a member of the Druze community, became a follower of Christ in 2020. When her family learned of her new faith, they immediately rejected her. Her husband attacked her and attempted to stab her. But the couple eventually reconciled, and Yasmin’s husband, Amir, allowed her to live in their home. Amir gradually became curious about Yasmin’s new faith and would stay up late at night to watch Christian TV channels after others had fallen asleep. In December 2023, he attended the Christmas celebrations at Yasmin’s church. After the sermon, Amir responded to the pastor’s invitation to place his trust in Christ. The church rejoiced in this answer to three years of intercessory prayer for the couple. Yasmin said she had already noticed “a difference in her husband at home and is convinced he is a new believer.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Yasmin and family on iCommitToPray.com

God at Work Amid Hardship

vomtechsupport — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:07:03 +0000

Some local Christian leaders in Lebanon have reported an inspiring work of God even as many in the country are struggling amid economic hardship and political instability. “You’re aware of the many crises Lebanon is facing,” said one pastor. “In the past year alone, we have endured unemployment and underemployment, a dysfunctional government, hyperinflation, and war along our southern border.” Then he added, “And yet we are seeing one of the greatest gospel movements in the country’s history. There have been 115 baptisms since January! Small group Bible studies in homes have multiplied, and the church is expanding in hard-to-reach places.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for believers in Lebanon on iCommitToPray.com

Christian Convert Escapes from Locked Room

vomtechsupport — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:07:05 +0000

Khaled’s Lebanese Muslim family was displeased when he decided to become a follower of Christ. After learning about his newfound faith, they attacked him and locked him in a room away from his wife, attempting to force him to return to Islam. But Khaled escaped and eventually reunited with his wife. She was also not supportive of his conversion and only allowed him to return if he paid the full cost of their housing and living expenses without any financial assistance from her. He found a new job, is paying the expenses, and is trying to demonstrate God’s love to his wife. He said she has noticed a change in him and occasionally asks about the peace he has despite his many challenges. Khaled recently led a colleague to Christ and is now discipling him and taking him to church.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Khaled on iCommitToPray.com

LEBANON: “To Lay Down Your Life Starts with Humility”

vomtechsupport — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 20:09:01 +0000

Gary Witherall and his wife, Bonnie, heard God’s call to share the gospel in the Middle East. They answered that call by moving to Lebanon, where they served with Operation Mobilization, building relationships with Lebanese people and Palestinian refugees—until the day Bonnie was martyred in the clinic where she served refugee women.

Listen as Gary shares about how God called them to the Middle East, what their work there was like and how each day of their ministry was unique. Gary also explains how things changed on 9-11, when he and Bonnie witnessed people all around them celebrating the murder of more than 3,000 Americans.

After the attacks, their life and ministry became more difficult, but they never considered leaving. In fact, it was after 9-11 that Gary and Bonnie determined they would stay and serve the Lord—no matter the cost. “I think we were martyred on that day,” Gary says. You’ll be challenged as Gary asks the question that persecuted Christians around the world must often ask: what do you love so much you’d be willing to die for it?

“If life is a limited period of hours, I want to invest it well. And if it’s cut short, I want it to be cut short in the full joy of doing something worthwhile.”

Be sure to join us next week on VOM Radio as Gary tells about the day Bonnie gave her life for Christ. You can learn more about Gary’s story by reading his book, Total Abandon (affiliate link).

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Listen to this episode on VOMRadio.net

Prayer for Refugee Ministries

vomtechsupport — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 08:07:02 +0000

Lebanese church leaders request prayers as they minister to refugees. More than 1 million Syrian refugees have entered the country since 2012, increasing Lebanon’s population by nearly one-fourth. Despite hardship, many evangelical churches in Lebanon not only welcomed but also cared for Christian and Muslim refugees with limited resources and few rights in the country. One refugee woman described how the kindness of a local church changed her life: “I stopped wearing the veil and went to church to get the food parcel to help my family. They gave it to me regardless of who I am or what I wear. I discovered that they are loving people, not as our religious leaders told us about Christians.” She added, “At first, I thought, ‘This is not for me,’ but after coming to church for a while, I started to feel peaceful. Something changed in me that I cannot describe. I feel the peace, the joy of worship. … This is the work of our Lord, Jesus.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Syrian refugees on iCommitToPray.com

Economic Crisis Impacts Ministry Efforts

vomtechsupport — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 08:07:02 +0000

In August 2020, a massive fertilizer explosion in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, killed more than 200 people, rendered 300,000 homeless, and caused 15 billion dollars in damage. In 2019, the government defaulted on its debt and many banks collapsed; today, utilities are regularly cut off and rents are rising. More than 80 have drowned attempting to leave via boat. The country’s economic struggles impact ministry efforts. “This crisis has changed people’s attitude,” a front-line worker said. “Earlier, people were willing to listen about the Bible over a cup of coffee, even from politeness; now they are more closed.” Front-line workers overcome challenges created by the crisis by meeting practical needs: “For man, the gospel is a box of food or a pack of medicines.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Front-line workers on iCommitToPray.com

Church Planter Questioned by Authorities

vomtechsupport — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 07:07:03 +0000

More than one million refugees have flooded into Lebanon because of the civil war raging in neighboring Syria. Pastor Bassam recently opened a new church near the Syrian border to minister to refugees and others in that region. After the church’s initial service, Pastor Bassam was summoned to appear before local officials who questioned him about his evangelistic activities. He tried to answer their questions, stating that he does not force anyone to come to the services or change their beliefs. Pastor Bassam requests prayers that the church will be allowed to operate without interference and also for his wife, who has been suffering from an illness.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Lebanon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Pastor Bassam on iCommitToPray.com