Liberia, as a nation and people, suffered a terrible past consequence of bad governance, neglect of rural communities, undermining of the rule of law, lack of respect for civil liberties and human rights, economic disparities, misuse of public funds, ethnic divisions, poverty, etc. Different parties ruled the country from Independence in 1847 until 1869 when attempts at consolidating multi-party democracy were undermined when a one-political-party system was forcibly introduced in 1870. That one-party ruled the country for 110 years until its bloody overthrow in April 1980.

Ten years later an incursion provoked a senseless civil war aimed at dislodging elements responsible for the overthrow of the 110-year oligarchy. The brute civil conflict lasted for 15 years and murdered more than a quarter-million of the 3.5 million Liberians, especially women and children, destroyed public and private properties, and increased unemployment to 85% amongst others. A ceasefire ensued and peace was obtained in August 2003 with the landing of a West African Peace Keeping Force in Monrovia, the Capital of Liberia. The peace obtained was a consequence of much prayer by the People of God in and out of Liberia.

With Presidential and Legislative elections conducted twice in 2005 and 2011 to consolidate peace, stability, and democracy in the country, the need exists to encourage ordinary Liberians not to be spectators in the historic remaking of their country but to rise up and take responsibility for the reconstruction and development of their country. The challenges facing the country are enormous. Almost every face of Liberian life was destroyed during the civil war. To rebuild the country, every facet of Liberia life must be re-engaged.  

A lot of progress has been made, but a lot remains to be done. There are several concerns that cannot be overlooked. These concerns include but are not limited to:

1.    Hidden political, tribal, and cultural tensions that may have the potential to spark renewed conflicts
2.    The cries of judicial inadequacy and fraud, lengthy pretrial detention, denial of due process, and harsh prison conditions, etc.
3.    Reports of unlawful dispossession of life, mob killings, ritualistic killings, police abuse, harassment, intimidation, etc.
4.    Unabated reports of violence against women and children including rape and domestic violence, child labor allegations, etc.
5.    The fear that civil war along ethnic lines could break out again once the United Nations Peace keepers leave
6.    The fear that former warring factions were not completely disbanded and ex-combatants demobilized and reintegrated into normal life
7.    Cross-border violence and participation of Liberian mercenaries in conflicts in neighboring countries, i.e. Ivory Coast, Guinea, etc.
8.    Lack of Institutionalized political institutions, “hand-bag” or “only-election-time” political parties, “privatized” advocacy on behalf of the people
9.    Increasing hard-time and entrenched poverty and its consequences on the peace and stability of the nation
10.    Lingering disputes over land ownership, which the International Crisis Group in 2009 described as “the most explosive issue in Liberia today”, amongst others.

Please pray with the Liberian believers for the full healing of their nation.

For more information, contact Pastor Kortu Brown (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

The very fact that until the announcement on Sunday, June 24th, Egyptians had no idea who would be declared President, is proof of the remarkable change that has taken place in our country since the January 2011 Revolution! President Mohammad Morsi (who was the Muslim Brotherhood’s presidential candidate)is facing incredible challenges…

1.    He needs to satisfy the aspirations of the right-wing Muslims who dream of applying Islamic Sharia law in both belief and practice in all areas of private and public life. On the other hand, he needs to demonstrate to moderate Muslims and Christians (up to 30% of the population) that he will champion freedom of expression and equal rights for all Egyptians regardless of creed or political affiliation.
2.    He has already declared that the army should relinquish some of the Presidential powers it appropriated just days before his election. But he must avoid a showdown (the first of which he seems to have lost upon demanding the reinstatement of the dissolved Parliament)
3.    He must quickly appease the masses by beginning to solve some of the endemic economic employment and supply crises which are escalating at an alarming rate.

While his election was a shock for most Christians, many are relieved that the tensions and violence, which could have resulted if he were not elected, have been averted. It’s now high time to “Rebuild Egypt”, but we still need to draft a constitution and re-elect a Parliament! Many fear that this process will distract us from tackling the complex immediate issues facing the nation.

As the new president tries to work with diametrically opposed aspirations of the different groups, Christians wonder what the future holds and where the priorities will be. In the next 2-3 decades, Egypt may be very different than we know it today. Decisions by the new leadership on questions related to a civil state, true democracy, freedom of religion, and rights of minorities are worrying to many.

How we want you to pray for us:

1.    Pray that we in the Bible Society will continue to think of creative and appropriate ways to place God’s Word in the Egyptian marketplace and in the hearts of those who seek God.
2.    Pray that Christians, instead of yearning to flee Egypt, will boldly choose to remain and be a vibrant witness and influence for good in their needy nation.
3.    Pray for the Coptic Orthodox Church as they seek God’s will for a new Patriarch. (The majority of Egyptian Christians have felt bereft of leadership since the death of Pope Shenouda in March.)
4.    Pray that moderate Muslims will be able to resist being forced to submit to the right-wing Islamist agenda. If they are able to resist, there is a much better chance that Christians also will continue to maintain many of the freedoms they now enjoy.