What Our Prayer Team is Accomplishing

by John Crump

In early May of this year, 15 pastors, prayer partners and friends of Heart for Lebanon met on a Zoom meeting to pray specifically for the current conflict that has been ongoing in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and the region. During that hour of prayer, we prayed that those who had the power to end the conflict would do so. We prayed for all who have been affected by the conflict. We prayed for our team and leaders in Lebanon, that their work and ministry would not be hindered and that they would be protected as they serve in Jesus’ Name. The Holy Spirit’s guidance and presence was clear and powerful as we prayed together. I can report that while the conflict has continued, many of our other prayers have thus far been answered! We praise God for responding to those and many other prayers lifted for Heart for Lebanon in these recent months. All of this answered prayer is due to our incredibly dedicated team of prayer partners around the world!

A powerful example of one of these God-sized answered prayers is happening through our Missional Leadership initiative. This initiative is a “next step” for people in our programs and churches who have shown spiritual leadership qualities, abilities, and initiative. When the conflict in Israel began, our team in Lebanon identified several Missional Leadership participants to lead small groups in various areas in the south of Lebanon, not far from the Israel border. We didn’t know what kind of response they would get as they tried to form these groups. Of course, God came through in a big way! Just a few months later, we now have approximately 210 people participating in these small groups, all being led by people who have come to faith in Christ and grown in their faith through the ministry of Heart for Lebanon! We are humbled, grateful, and excited to see the impact these groups will have in the coming days! All of this is due to our faithful prayer partners who have prayed for the Great Commission to be accomplished in Lebanon!

We currently have more than 60 churches and more than 400 individuals who have committed to pray regularly for Heart for Lebanon! Thank you to each church and person! We thank God for each of you! We communicate monthly with our Prayer Points email, sharing prayer requests and needs. In return, we encourage our partners to let us know how we can be praying for them. Our team at the international office meets weekly to lift these prayer needs to God. I have the opportunity to talk and pray with pastors and congregation members around the United States. We have some church partners who have dedicated teams of people in their congregation who specifically pray for Heart for Lebanon, the people we serve, our staff and leaders. We are so grateful for everyone who consistently prays with and for us! Our next Zoom Prayer Gathering is scheduled for September 24, 2024 at Noon EST. More information about that event will be coming soon!

In the book of Acts, we see the early church consistently spending time together in prayer. After being told to stop preaching in Jesus’ Name, we see them praying bold prayers like this in Acts 4:29-31, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Then we are told that God immediately answered their prayer, “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Please join us as we pray bold prayers and ask God to continue to reach many in Lebanon and the region with the Good News of Jesus Christ!