The security situation in Egypt has “deteriorated considerably” since former president Hosni Mubarak stepped down on Feb. 11, leaving a security vacuum and Christians feeling “threatened more than ever,” according to aid workers.
“Security is still not where it needs to be to give people a greater sense of personal safety. Undoubtedly, there has been an increase in the tensions between Muslims and Christians since Mubarak stepped down … All Egyptians, not just [Coptic Christians], feel more insecure these days,” said Jason Belanger of Catholic Relief. Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s 80 million people. Copts are a branch of the Orthodox church.
This describes Christian fears well. Two points. Salafis may be even worse than the Brotherhood and they also hope to gain representation in parliament, and the Copts are Orthodox, that is, one of the Oriental Orthodox churches, and are not a “branch” of anybody, nor are they in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
O Lord,
Bless Egypt to be the nation that You designed her to be.
During famine, Abram and Sarai found food in Egypt. In a later famine, Joseph in Egypt saved the peoples of the age from starvation. Centuries later, another Joseph found refuge in Egypt for his wife and son.
Father, You designed Egypt to be a place of salvation, nurture, and refuge. We affirm this as her true identity. Bless Egypt! Bless her destiny in You. Bless her as a place of safety, a place of abundance and generosity, and a place of life.
We speak life into the atmosphere over Egypt. Life! Life! Life! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We speak His name–JESUS! May this time be a portal of life. Would that “The City of a Thousand Minarets†be known as “The City of a Thousand Lighthouses of Peace.†We pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace in Cairo. Amen.