April - 23 To 25

Country : EGYPT Population 60,470,000 Peoples Egyptian 86.4%. Speaking Arabic, but descendants of the ancient Coptic-speaking people of biblical times. Arab 6.2%. Bedouin 1,081,000; Sudanese 540,000; also Lebanese, Yemeni, Palestinian and others. Nubian 3%. Arabic-speaking 1,300,000; Nobiin-speaking 350,000; Kenuz-speaking 108,000. Berber 2%. Nearly all Arabized, a few speaking Zenati at the Siwa Oasis. Gypsy 2%. Most now Arabic-speaking. Halebi 864,000; Ghagar 216,000. Other 0.4%. Westerners 250,000; Beja 77,000; Turkish 27,000; Armenian 25,000. Literacy 45%. Official language: Arabic. All languages 11. Languages with Scriptures 2Bi 1NT 3por. Cities Capital: Cairo 10,120,000 (unofficial figure nearer 14 million). Other major city: Alexandria 3,162,000. Seventeen other cities with over 100,000 people. Rapid urbanization -- now at 49%. Economy Poor, and in a state of perpetual crisis. The high birthrate, limited agricultural land and water, world recession and the unresolved tensions between Islamic radicals and the government all conspire to cripple efforts to solve the problems. The Gulf War aid bonanza, remittances from the four to five million Egyptians resident abroad, and revenues from the Suez Canal have enabled the country to survive. Unemployment 17%. Public debt/person $790. Income/person $630 (2.9% of USA). Politics President Sadat's diplomacy (1970-81) ended the dominance of the USSR and won control of the valuable Suez Canal and Sinai oilfields from Israel as an outcome of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The generally popular peace treaty with Israel in 1979 was bitterly opposed by many Arab nations and Muslim extremists within the country and led to Egypt's isolation in the Middle East and Sadat's assassination. Subsequent political reforms have reinstated multi-party democratic government, but Islamic fundamentalism grows with every economic setback. By 1992 the government was forced to crack down on the extremists after the latter had murdered government leaders, Christians and tourists in their efforts to bring about the collapse of the government. Religion Islam is the state religion, but until recently the large Christian minority was left in relative peace so long as Muslims were not evangelized. Islamic radicals are successfully forcing a greater Islamization of society. Muslim 85.4%. Cairo is the intellectual capital of Islam. Muslim fundamentalism has become a significant force over the last 15 years. Non-religious/other 0.4%. Christian 14.2%, but officially 6%. Some Christians claim 20%. Growth -1.3%. Protestant 0.85%. Growth 2.7%. Catholic 0.32%. Growth 0.5%. Orthodox 13%. Growth -1.6%. 1. Islamic fundamentalism has become a severe threat to the stability of Egypt. Acts of terrorism by extremists, economic sabotage and intolerance are fuelled by economic stresses. Pray for division and confusion to discredit and nullify such plans. The promise of Isaiah 19:19-22 for Egypt must be fulfilled. 2. Persecution of Christians became steadily more severe over the '80s. Harassment, severe application of ancient discriminatory laws, destruction of churches and bribery for Christians to adopt Islam are all extensively used to break the morale of Christians. Muslims who have become Christians have been imprisoned and some killed. In 1991 there were 235 Christians known to be imprisoned for their faith. One Muslim leader has publicly exhorted Muslims to wipe out all Christians. a) Pray that Christians may stand firm in their faith and live exemplary lives before their malefactors. b) Pray for Christians now wavering, for between 15,000 and 30,000 Christians annually are turning to Islam. Many others emigrate to Western countries where they are free to worship. c) Pray for a change in the law which requires presidential permission to build, repair or even paint a church. Few licences have been granted since 1981 -- even when Muslim extremists have destroyed a church building. 3. The Coptic Church is by far the largest body of Christians in the Middle East and is a strategic key for the evangelization of the area. Pray that mounting pressures, communal tensions, detention of leaders and persecution may strengthen and enliven the Church. There has been a marked increase in intercessory prayer as a result of these difficulties. The recent wave of persecution has brought together Orthodox and Protestant leaders as never before. In 1992 God stepped in by pouring out the Holy Spirit in revival. Miracles and healings as well as a spontaneous work of the Spirit in hearts in Sunday schools has led to thousands of nominal Christians and even Muslims coming to Christ. Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches have been affected. The Assemblies of God report 25,000 new decisions to follow Jesus. Pray that the work of the Holy Spirit may prove irresistible in the midst of opposition. 4. A biblically-based renewal movement in the Coptic Church has steadily gained momentum since 1930, and its strong emphasis on Bible study and a warm personal faith has led to many becoming fervent witnesses for the Lord. Pray for the growth and effectiveness of this movement of the Spirit. 5. The Protestant churches sprang from the Orthodox minority, and for some decades had not seen significant growth. This is changing: there has been a growing renewal movement since 1973 and many young people are now coming to the Lord. Several Pentecostal and Evangelical denominations are growing significantly. Pray that, despite the difficulties, Muslims may be reached and welcomed into the churches. Few Christians would even be open to witness to a Muslim. Many churches have extensive social programmes to help the very poor. 6. Unreached peoples. Few Muslims have ever heard a Christian testify. Pray that the Christians may win opportunities to speak through their Christ-like lives. Specific prayer targets: a) The urban population -- many are uprooted peasants in squalid slums. b) The fellaheen (peasants) in the rural villages of the Nile. c) The Nubian people, largely converted from Christianity to Islam in the 17th century but open to the gospel. Only portions of the Scriptures are available in one of the two languages still spoken by 10-15% of Nubians. d) The desert dwellers -- Bedouin, Siwa Berber, and others have had little contact with the gospel. e) Arab visitors to Egypt from many "closed" Muslim lands. They come especially during Ramadan to avoid the rigours of the Muslim month of fasting! 7. Christian witness among university students is encouraging. There is a group in many of the faculties of Egypt's four biggest university complexes. Pray that these believers may find open hearts among the 685,000 students in 13 universities and win them in the relatively open spirit of inquiry on the campuses. There are increasing instances of Muslim intimidation and grade discrimination against Christian students. Pray that these believers may be built up in the Lord for future service through the witness of local churches and other students. Work among children and young people in high schools is especially encouraging, with many youth groups in churches, schools, summer conferences and camps. 8. There is a dearth of volunteers for pastoral and missionary service. Two-thirds of all evangelical churches have no pastor. Pray for many such to give themselves for the Lord's work. Pray also for those in theological training at the Coptic Evangelical Church Seminary (which had only 20 students preparing for the ministry in 1989), the AoG and Free Methodist Bible schools, and in institutions abroad. 9. Openings for Christian service by expatriates are now more numerous than for many years. There are possibilities for ministry in expatriate community churches and with indigenous churches, as well as in service ministries such as literature and through a variety of professional and business openings which provide opportunities for witness to the non-Christian majority. Pray for labourers! 10. The missionary vision of the Egyptian church is growing, but it is limited by lack of funds. Missionaries from Egypt would be more acceptable than Western missionaries in many Muslim lands. Pray that the many Egyptian Christians in the West and Middle Eastern oil states may catch the vision to support such a thrust. 11. Christian literature is freely printed and sold. Pray for: a) Christian bookstores (10 in Cairo), and for the effective use of this literature. b) More local believers who are able to write suitable evangelistic and teaching materials. c) Magalla, the mass-circulation magazine, which has a Christian slant. Over 60,000 copies are sold every issue in 16 Middle Eastern lands. There is also an audio-cassette version. Pray for the magazine's continued publication despite opposition, and for its effectiveness in breaking down misconceptions about the gospel. Pray for all engaged in its publication. Pray also for the West European edition Magallati and its use among the 2,700,000 Arab speakers living in Europe as well as the numerous Arab tourists. d) The SBC and AoG who are working together to produce a three-year Sunday school curriculum in Arabic for use across the Middle East. Pray that it may ground the next generation of Christians in God's Word. e) Bible distribution. The Arabic Living Bible was published in 1988 and has stirred great interest among people of all religions -- pray for eternal fruit. In 1992 the revival movement resulted in increased sale of Bibles. 12. The Jesus film in Arabic is being widely shown. Pray that this vivid portrayal of the Saviour may open many hearts and that there may be freedom for effective follow-up. 13. Christian radio is a potent tool. Pray for the various Arabic language studios where programmes are prepared, and for Christian broadcasters and listeners. High Adventure in Lebanon broadcasts over 100 hours per week in Arabic, with FEBA 14, TWR 8.4 and IBRA 3.5 hours each.