The protests that started in Tunisia have inspires uprisings in Cairo, Egypt. In Tunisia protestors have overthrown President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and his corrupt regime. The interim government has issued arrest warrants for him and his extended family. In Egypt protestors are calling for an end to the nearly 30 year rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Internet and cell phone communication is cut-off, the police are using tear-gas and rubber bullets to control protestors, and tanks have rolled into Tahrir (Liberation) Square to frighten protestors.
These uprising are spreading to other Muslim countries like Yemen, Lebanon and Albania. It appears these uprisings are revolutions against political corruption, oppression, and years of economic depression. The Boston Globe’s Big Picture photo series on Protests Spread In The Middle East illustrates the breadth and volatility of the revolts.
Our mission partners, David and Yulia Beatty who live in Hungary, write,
“Political unrest in Albania and now many other Muslim countries is bringing Yulia and I to our knees... praying for our sovereign Lord to bring peaceful changes that will open more doors for the gospel… doors that have been shut for hundreds of years! We are not presently in Albania, but many of our closest friends are. Please join us in praying… just five minutes each day for each country where demonstrations continue (Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and others).”Like all personal, local, and world events, we must put our trust in God’s sovereign rule. These uprisings can result doors that either open or close to the gospel. Depending on what happens next, these countries could move to democracies and greater freedom or to Islamic-states and greater oppression. Psalm 2 is a good reminder here,
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
"Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us."
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
"As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill."
I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2:1-12
- Pray that whatever God orchestrates that there would be greater opportunity for the gospel and more people in these countries coming to faith in Christ.
- Pray that God would give the Christians in those countries wisdom, courage, and faith to stand strong.
- Pray that God would give wisdom to western leaders, especially President Obama, to position their countries as allies of the emerging regimes.
- Pray that God would mobilize the church to prayer, action, and influence.
