Libya
June 24th

“The holy seed is the stump of Libya!”

“And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”(Isaiah 6:13,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Africa
Population | 7.13 million
Area | 1,759,540㎢ The Sahara Desert is mostly located on the Mediterranean coast of northern Africa.
Capital City | Tripoli (1.17 million)
People Groups | Total 44 groups, Libyan Arabs 23.3%, Cyrenaic Arabs 21.3%, Egyptians 9.5%, Bedouin Sanusi 9.2%, Sudanese 4.4%, Moroccans 4.4%, Algerians 4.3%
People Groups Unreached | 31 groups (88.2% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Arabic
Total Languages | 33
Bible Translations | Completed 15, New Testament 6, Partial 5 Completed 20, New Testament 1, Partial 2
Religion | Christian 2.5% (Protestant 0.3%, Catholic 1%), Muslim 96.6% Evangelical 0.2% (140,000 people)

》 About Libya

Libya was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century, and by the 10th century, they had outnumbered the Berbers, the indigenous people. In the 16th century, Libya came under Ottoman rule, and in 1912, after Italy defeated the Ottoman Empire, Libya became an Italian colony. Following World War II, the country was divided and ruled by Britain and France until it gained independence in 1951 as a federal constitutional monarchy. In 1969, Muammar al-Gaddafi seized power through a military coup, abolished the monarchy, and declared the Arab Republic, implementing a socialist system based on Islamic law (Sharia). Under Gaddafi’s rule, Libya supported terrorist activities targeting Western countries, leading to UN sanctions in 1992. In 2011, during the Arab Spring, nationwide protests erupted, and Gaddafi’s brutal suppression of demonstrators triggered an eight-month civil war involving international military intervention. This ultimately led to the collapse of Gaddafi’s 42-year regime. Following Gaddafi’s fall, Libya descended into anarchy, with various armed factions vying for control. A civil war erupted between the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by warlord Khalifa Haftar, which controls the oil-rich eastern region, and the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is recognized by the United Nations. The conflict has resulted in over 1,000 deaths, including civilians. The presidential election scheduled for December 2021 featured key candidates such as Haftar, interim prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and Saif al-Islam, the son of Gaddafi. However, ongoing political turmoil led to the indefinite postponement of the election.

Libya’s economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas exports, but has faced major challenges since 2014 due to political instability, security concerns, oil production disruptions, and falling global oil prices. The gap between the official exchange rate and the black market rate has fueled a shadow economy, increasing inflation. Frequent power shortages due to a lack of fuel for domestic power generation continue to impact daily life, while access to clean water, healthcare, and safe housing has become increasingly difficult. The Central Bank of Libya continues to pay government salaries to more than half of the population, while fuel and food subsidies remain in place. In 2017, the fiscal deficit was projected to reach 17% of GDP.
Libya’s GDP per capita is approximately $7,500.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Libya ended its Islamic rule with Gaddafi’s death in 2011, but the country remains trapped in a second civil war. Amid ongoing instability, a quarter of the population has fled abroad, becoming refugees, while those who remain face lawlessness and hardship. In a nation where 97% of the population is Muslim, the number of Christian converts accepting Christ began to increase during Gaddafi’s final years. Foreign believers also experienced spiritual progress, enjoying greater religious freedom than before. The Christian community in Libya is primarily composed of foreign churches, with the majority being Catholic and Orthodox. However, Protestant and independent churches actively engage in evangelism and mission work, and the evangelical Christian population has grown to approximately 140,000, making up 0.2% of the total population. Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried Jesus’ cross, was from Libya.
Let us pray that Libya, which has this rich spiritual heritage, will once again be filled with the Holy Spirit to become a stronghold of the gospel in a land devastated by conflict.

2. Libya remains one of the most unreached nations with the gospel. Owning a Bible or even reading it on a cell phone or computer carries serious risks. The Libyan Christian community is forbidden from holding religious gatherings, and due to intense pressure from family and society, many Christian converts must keep their faith a secret, with little to no contact with other believers. In 2015, 21 Christians were brutally executed by an Islamic militant group. There is a critical need for ministers and missionaries to support and disciple the small community of believers and underground churches.
Let us pray that the small yet faithful church in Libya will be filled with God’s grace and love, firmly rooted in the Word and remaining steadfast in their faith. Let us also give thanks that, despite persecution and heavy surveillance, many Libyans are still encountering the gospel through the internet, Christian satellite broadcasts like SAT-7, radio programs, Bible distribution, gospel films, and humanitarian aid in education and healthcare. May their hearts and minds be opened, leading them to accept Christ, be trained as disciples, and become witnesses of the gospel in their nation.

3. The civil war and political turmoil have forced countless Libyans to flee their homeland, with many becoming refugees in Europe. Let us pray that, in their new countries, they will hear the gospel and receive salvation. Libya also serves as a major transit hub for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa seeking to reach Europe. These migrants often pay large sums to human traffickers, who cram them into small, overcrowded rubber boats. As they attempt the dangerous Mediterranean crossing, countless lives are lost at sea and along border routes.
Let us pray that these desperate migrants passing through Libya in search of a better life will be rescued from danger, protected from exploitation and death, and ultimately come to know Jesus Christ.

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