Lebanon 1
December 25th

“Because Lebanon has sought the Lord, He has given them peace.”

“Let us build up these towns,” he said to Judah, “and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.(2 Chronicles 14:7,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Middle East
Population | 5.29 million
Area | 10,400㎢, Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea between Israel and Syria.
Capital City | Beirut (2.43 million)
People Groups | Total 26 groups, Lebanese 64.5%, Palestinian 9.3%, Druze 4.4%, Kurdish 4.1%, Armenian 4.1%, Syrian 2.8%
Unreached People Groups | 8 (13.9% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Arabic, French, English
Total Languages | 21
Bible Translations | Completed 12, New Testament 4, Partial 4
Religion | Christian 32.9% (Protestant 1%, Catholic 22%), Muslim 59%, Druze 4.4%
Evangelicals | 0.7%(37,000 people)

》 About Lebanon

Lebanon, located at the crossroads of three continents, has been conquered by various empires throughout history, including the Roman, Arab, and Ottoman empires. In 1919, it came under French control and gained independence in 1943. After independence, the growing Muslim population and the government’s confessional system—which allocates power by religion—became sources of tension, eventually contributing to the outbreak of civil war. Following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, around 450,000 Palestinian refugees poured into Lebanon, leading to repeated clashes between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. The Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, resulted in an estimated 120,000 deaths. Syria held substantial influence over Lebanon’s domestic and foreign affairs from 1976 to 2005. Although Lebanon is officially a presidential republic with a single six-year term for the president, it functions more like a parliamentary system, with real power concentrated in the hands of the prime minister. Lebanon’s unique sectarian power-sharing arrangement divides top political roles among 18 recognized religious groups: the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. Michel Aoun served as president from 2016 until his term ended in 2022. Due to political deadlock, no successor was elected for more than two years. This deadlock ended on January 9, 2025, when Joseph Aoun, the former army commander, was elected president. His election broke a long-standing impasse in parliament. Najib Mikati, who had been acting as both caretaker prime minister and de facto head of state during the vacancy, stepped down after a new government was formed. Nawaf Salam became the new prime minister and officially took office in February 2025, bringing an end to the institutional vacuum.

Lebanon’s economy traditionally relies on oil refining, banking, and tourism. After the civil war, the government borrowed extensively from domestic banks to fund reconstruction, resulting in massive national debt. The arrival of over one million Syrian refugees further strained the economy, increasing competition for jobs and public services. Years of mismanagement and corruption plunged the country into a prolonged economic crisis, which worsened dramatically in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Beirut explosion the same year, and the global fallout from the war in Ukraine in 2022 deepened the collapse. The Lebanese pound has lost most of its value, fuel shortages are widespread, and electricity is often available for just two hours a day. Even hospitals have been forced to close due to lack of power. The population now faces severe poverty and a humanitarian crisis with no clear resolution in sight.
Lebanon’s GDP per capita is approximately $11,600.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Lebanon, once heavily reliant on its finance and tourism sectors, saw its economy spiral into crisis starting in 2019. The situation worsened significantly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That same year, the government declared a national default, and a catastrophic explosion at the port of Beirut devastated the capital, plunging the country into a deep recession. In just two years, food prices soared by roughly 630%, the national currency lost nearly 90% of its value, and over 80% of the population now lives below the poverty line. With the currency so devalued, Lebanon can no longer afford to import oil, resulting in nationwide power shortages. The food crisis has only intensified due to the global impact of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. The World Bank has described Lebanon’s economic collapse as one of the worst and most prolonged depressions globally since the mid-19th century. Let us pray that in the midst of this economic devastation, with entire systems paralyzed and people pushed into poverty, the Lebanese people would turn to God with open and seeking hearts. May the gospel of the cross reach the hearts of the Lebanese, leading them to abandon false idols, believe in the true and living God, embrace His Word, and experience His peace.

2. Lebanon suffers from entrenched corruption. In the aftermath of its civil war, the country adopted a power-sharing political system based on religious sects. While intended to preserve peace, this system has fueled widespread corruption, as sectarian leaders prioritize their group’s interests over the nation’s welfare. Public funds have often been misused to curry favor with foreign allies through lobbying and patronage. One tragic result of this dysfunction was the 2020 Beirut explosion. Since 2014, Beirut Customs had warned authorities about the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the port, but the government—mired in corruption—failed to act. The explosion sparked nationwide protests, and the cabinet eventually resigned. Yet, political factions continued to struggle for power, and the presidency remained vacant for a prolonged period. Let us pray that God will bring an end to the selfishness and corruption of political leaders who, even in times of national crisis, place their sect above the people and the country. Let us especially pray for Maronite Christian politicians—that they would move beyond nominal faith, repent, respond with honesty to God’s Word, and act with justice and integrity. May Lebanon be restored and rebuilt by the grace of God.

3. Lebanon’s children and youth are suffering deeply from the ongoing crisis. More than half of all children are skipping meals due to food shortages and have limited access to healthcare. At least 35,000 children have been forced into labor. Education has also suffered, with government spending severely cut since the economic collapse. Job opportunities are scarce, and youth unemployment has surged to nearly 40%. Under these conditions, some young people have been drawn to extremist groups like ISIS, who exploit them as tools for violence and destruction. Let us pray for the next generation and the youth of Lebanon—that in the midst of hardship, they will hear the gospel of the cross, encounter the living Christ, and be set free from lies and despair. May they rise up as a holy generation, rooted in truth and empowered by God’s Spirit to bring healing and hope to their nation.

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