Lebanon

Capital: Beirut

Major Languages: Arabic,

French, English

Area: 10,452 km2

Population: 6.8 million

HDI Rank: 92 of 189

Major Religion:

Islam: 3.7 million (54%)

Other Religions:

Catholic: 1.8 million (26%)

Druze: 0.4 million (5.5%)

Other: 1 million (14.5%)

General Information:

Lebanon is one of the world’s oldest countries, and is mentioned in the Bible – more than 50 times. It was once wealthy, and an economic center of the Middle East, with its capital city known as the “Paris of the East”. But decades of war have ravaged the country. Ruled by a number of empires, Lebanon ultimately gained independence from France in 1943. A civil war ensued between the Christians and Muslims that lasted from 1975 to 1990. Hezbollah, an Islamist political party and militant group, is active since 1992. Most popular sports are soccer and basketball.

Religious Background:

Though Islam is the majority religion, Lebanon grants freedom of religion. It is the only Arab nation that legally allows for conversion. Sunni, Shia, Sufi, the Druze religion, Christianity – Catholicism, Orthodox and Protestantism, all have their presence in Lebanon to a greater or lesser extent. The Druze constitute a small percentage of the population but play an influential role in Lebanese society. Religion and government in Lebanon are deeply and formally intertwined. Religion plays a major role in Lebanese culture, society, politics and legal systems.

Catholic background:

The Catholic Church is made up of the Latin Catholics and the Eastern Catholics, that include the Maronite, Melkite, Armenian, Chaldean, and Syriac. Maronites make up about 75% of the total Catholic population, having originated in Lebanon in the mid-7th century. The Apostolic Vicariate of Beirut was established in 1954. Until the sixties Catholics were the majority, accounting for 43% of all Lebanese. Catholics play an active role in national politics. The Church is composed of 3 archdioceses, 9 dioceses and 1,253 parishes. Patron saint: Our Lady of Lebanon.

Prayer Points

1. Lebanese to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior

Pray that everyone will get an opportunity to hear the gospel and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2. Catholics to know Christ

Pray for the salvation of 1.8 million Catholics in Lebanon.
Most Catholics are nominal, and Catholicism often constitutes a crucial part of a person’s social identity. Pray that they would know Christ personally.
Ask God for His Spirit to draw thousands of Catholics in a personal relationship with Jesus, and a new life in Him.
Pray that Catholics would know with absolute certainty that they are saved right here and now when they trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 1,253 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 1,603 priests, 1,030 brothers and 2,728 sisters.
Pray that Catholics would have the desire to commit their lives to Jesus, and be a part of a Bible-believing church.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

The Evangelical community is very small, comprising 0.5% (34,000) of the population. Lebanon has played a unique and strategic role in Christian mission in the Middle East. Pray that doors will continue to remain open to spread the gospel. Pray for the development of tools and methods to present Christ in cultural and relevant ways.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

More than 80% of the population struggle to meet even basic needs like fuel, food, and medicines. War, economic downfall and social disintegration has made Lebanon very unstable. Pray for stability, and that essential needs will be met.

5. Other Religions

Islam, the Druze religion, and a small number of Orthodox Christians, Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, and Hindus are present in Lebanon. Pray that God would reveal Himself through Christ to the adherents of different religions in supernatural ways.