My heart is heavy with news from Egypt, both from the news media, and from those who are my friends there. As you are aware, Christians are being scapegoated for the public outcry and protests which prompted the military ouster of their democratically elected Muslim Brotherhood leader.
The last 5 years I've had 3 opportunities to do some drama training with Christian youth in Egypt. Some from Cairo, and many from other cities we're now hearing about in the news. These kids call themselves my Egyptian sons and daughters. I love them.
After sending a few messages via Facebook this week, one such young man, wrote today of having been kidnapped and tortured last December (2012) because of his involvement in a peaceful protest back then. His house was burned this Wednesdays. He's struggling with discouragement (here's a link to our FB conversation, with his permission to publish).
So I wrote to him my thoughts and my prayers for him and for Egypt.
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| 18 November, 2013 A Group Photo from our Drama Camp |
I know you feel like hating. And I want to write to you my brother and say that you may hate.
You may hate the one who is behind their acts. Hate with a vengeance our enemy the Devil and any forces of darkness who serve his aims. Know, as you hate him, that you have the God of the universe on your side who will bring justice. Perhaps not for these individual victories Satan has had against you, but surely in eternity. God has placed this in our DNA the need for justice. And he has promised to be just. In the Bible we read prophecy of eternal punishment and also eternal blessing. We read of a promised life free of pain, and darkness, and evil. This promised eternal life of blessing and joy (the one our best dreams foreshadow), will make the worst seasons in our entire existence here feel very much like what the Apostle Paul called "momentary afflictions."
I know you know this my friend, but our enemy the Devil will target YOU. Because of your strength and exceptional talent, the Devil will, no doubt, target YOU.
And he will use those who are victims under his darkness to target you as well. He hates the truth. He hates our God. It is only in causing problems for those God loves - us - that he has any power to grieve God. And I know that in what is happening in Egypt there is no one more grieved than our Father in Heaven (as much as it may seem - on the ground - like he has turned his back on you).
And, as hard as it is to see it from your vantage point. The Muslim Brotherhood are victims too. Victims of lies from the very beginnings of a religion that followed a false prophet who promotes hate, and war and domination. They did not choose to be born into Muslim families, where they would not have a chance to hear (rationally) or see (experientially) the truth of a loving heavenly father who initiated the incarnation of his son as a way to restore humankind to a relationship with himself. They don't KNOW yet what we know and have experienced. And it's not their fault they don't know. So while I pray for you...and Egypt's military...and world leaders to be wise in their support...I also pray for those who are living in darkness. Including the Muslim Brotherhood who are being so hateful and prejudiced against my brothers and sisters in Egypt...and other places around the world. Here's my prayer for you...and all of our brothers and sisters in Egypt.
God have mercy. Help us figure out a way to convince those who follow Islam that you Jesus, and "ISA" in the Koran, are the Way, the truth and the life. No one comes to you God, except through your Son! [John 14:6]
Lord, Jesus, Dear Father, Powerful Holy Spirit, I pray for my friends who are struggling in their hearts and minds to have courage and integrity, and the will to rise above this evil against them. They need the grace you alone can give us to see these horrible events and their suffering as you see it. We admit that we cannot do this on our own! It is so unjust! We look to you Lord, knowing that our life on earth is but a breath, and that you will reward and bless us, even though we don't deserve your grace, and even if there is no justice, now, on a war torn earth. While we will continue to beg you to bring justice and peace on earth, and use us to be part of the solution.
We will persevere by your strength to fight not only for ourselves, but for all victims of injustice, as you allow us to be involved. Encourage those Egyptians who have stayed in Egypt, rather than finding peace and a better lifestyle outside of their homeland. We pray for you to use them as lights for your Gospel in that nation and in that region.We know your kingdom is coming, and we know that you have proven your love for us because of your incarnation and suffering on the cross. But in the face of this hardship and suffering, your children in Egypt need your comfort, your peace, your hope, your Holy Spirit.
Lord I pray that your children in Egypt will resist the temptation to harden their hearts. And that you will give them fellowship with other believers to encourage one another to be steadfast and strong in the face of the present darkness that assaults them. Lord, I will continue to pray this, because I know it is your will. Please strengthen them today, and use them and the story you are writing with their lives to strengthen others.
AMEN!
Before the end of the evening. I got a reply. "Just informed that the (Freedom & Justice) Party leader in Assiut, the one who supervised the process of torturing me, was arrested!!"
Let's continue praying.
