Source: WEA Religious Liberty Prayer News, February 17, 2015
On Sunday [February 15], the Islamic State (IS) released a video allegedly showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians by militants pledging support to the IS in Libya.
Subsequent to the video release, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi confirmed that those killed in the video were Egyptian Christians taken hostage in Libya and announced seven days of national mourning.
In response to the killings, Egypt’s military carried out raids early on Monday against IS camps, training sites, and weapons storage areas.
- Pray for Jesus’ comforting presence over the families grieving the loss of loved ones.
- Pray for God’s protection over all Christians in Libya and across all the conflict areas in the Middle East.
- Pray that those perpetrating violence would experience a change in heart, repent, and come to know God.
- Pray for an end to all bloodshed in the Middle East.
» Read additional stories from this prayer bulletin.
» Editor’s note: Please also pray for the people of El-Aour, the small Egyptian town that was home to 13 of the men killed (NPR) and read a letter from the head of the Bible Society of Egypt. See also Murder of 21 Coptic Christians (Middle East Concern).