What is a gospel movement?
A church planting movement (CPM) or disciple making movement (DMM) can be defined as “the multiplication of disciples making disciples and leaders developing leaders, resulting in indigenous churches planting churches which begin to spread rapidly through a people group or population segment.” Click here to read more about gospel movements.
Declare a Promise
Psalm 113:3-4 “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all the Lebanese, and his glory above the heavens!”
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May your name, O Lord, be praised today in Lebanon. From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the name of the Lord be praised. Glory be to God in the heavens. Your name, O Lord, is exalted above Lebanon. We declare your worth today in Lebanon; You and You alone are worthy of worship.
Today’s Movement Theme: TARGETED PRAYER
Today, we will pray for Lebanese Shiites.
Best estimates put the Shiite population at around 30-35% of the Lebanese population. Shiite populations are concentrated in the south of Lebanon, their main urban hub being Tyre. Political affiliation and group belonging are extremely important aspects of Shiite identity. Today in prayer, we will intercede for God’s redemptive purposes to be accomplished among this beautiful population segment.
Redeemed Purpose
One aspect of Shiite identity–from the late 7th Century and into the modern period–has been a deep connection to community purpose and suffering.
- Pray: for God to redeem the Shiite peoples’ willingness to suffer for a cause they believe in
- Pray: that their connection to stories of suffering would open them to the truth of the cross
- Pray: that God would redeem their sense of purpose, and that men and women would find their purpose in following Jesus and building his Kingdom of love
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Extremism
Gal 1:13, 23-34 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. [But eventually the churches could testify:] “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!”
- Pray that extremists and violent zealots would encounter the King of Peace, Jesus, and would follow him in self-donating love
- Pray that a spirit of peace would be released over the Lebanese Shiites, particularly in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut and in the villages and cities of South Lebanon
- Pray for Apostle Pauls to be raised up from among the Shiite political groups
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Hei El Sulam
One of the rougher and more dangerous ghettos in all of Lebanon, Hei El Sulam is run by gangs and cut off from official Lebanese police jurisdiction. It’s an enormous and sprawling neighborhood–mostly Shiite–that is marred by drugs, violence, instability, and poor infrastructure.
- Intercede for God’s miraculous intervention and blessing in this community
- Intercede for children of Hei El Sulam, that they would be given opportunities to thrive and learn
- Intercede for those addicted to drugs and alcohol, that the mighty and delivering power of God would intervene in their lives
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Reproducing Groups
Only a few known believers live in Hei El Sulam. We thank God for their presence, but what the community needs is reproducing groups and simple churches.
- Pray for discovery groups to form and persist, eventually becoming baptized communities
- Pray for favor for the believers and new groups that God is raising up
- Pray God would show believers and communities how to boldly but shrewdly share the gospel message in an environment as intense as Hei El Sulam
No Place Left
Each day, we pray for various regions of Lebanon, believing in faith that a disciple making movement will touch each and every community throughout the nation.
Today, pray by name for the following Shiite neighborhoods and cities spread throughout Lebanon
Tyre – Nabatiyeh – Haret Hareik – Burj Al Burajneh – Ghobeiry – Basta – Abra – Baalbeck – Hermel – Tebnine – Hei El Sulam – Barakat