Pray for Egypt

Egypt  is located in North Africa.
It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the Gaza Strip
and Israel in the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan in the south
and Libya in the west.

The population is over 81 million.
Cairo is the capital.

FACTS
Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Cairo is the largest city in both Africa and the Arab world.
Cairo was founded in the year 969 A.D. making it 1,042 years old.

There have been Christians in Egypt since the time of Christ.
The church of Alexandria was established by Mark the Evangelist.

Egypt was predominantly Christian until the 7th century when Arabs conquered it.
Despite that the Coptic(Egyptian) Church never disappeared.

DEMOGRAPHICS
90% Muslim
10% Christian
Less than 2,000 Baha'i
Less than 200 Jews

HISTORY
Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization that goes back thousands of years.

For over 3452 years Egypt was a powerful kingdom and ruled by a series of rulers
called pharoahs.

Early Dynastic Period          3100–2686 B.C.
Old Kingdom                    2686–2181 B.C.
1st Intermediate Period        2181–2055 B.C.
Middle Kingdom                 2055–1650 B.C.
2nd Intermediate Period        1650–1550 B.C.
New Kingdom                    1550–1069 B.C.
3rd Intermediate Period         1069–664 B.C.
Late Period                      664–332 B.C.

Egypt was ruled by many other nations for over 2400 years.

From 525-332 B.C. Egypt was part of the Persian Empire.

From 332-30 B.C Egypt was ruled by the Ptolemids.

Egypt was under Roman rule from 30 B.C.-395 A.D.

From 395-645 A.D. Egypt was ruled by the Byzantium Empire 

From 645-1517 Egypt was ruled by Arabs

From 1517-1867 Egypt was part of the Ottoman Empire.

Egypt was briefly ruled by France from 1798-1801

Egypt was part of the British Empire from 1882-1953

Egypt regained its independance in 1953.

In January 2011, widespread protests began against the government.
Eventually Presdent Mubarak resigned and fled Cairo.

Mohamed Morsi was elected president in 2012.

In August 2012, the Prime Minister instated four from the Muslim Brotherhood
into his cabinet.
Liberal and secular groups feared that this would lead to strict Islamic
practices being imposed.

The Muslim Brotherhood won parliamentary elections in November 2011.

That same month President Morsi issued a declaration immunizing his decrees
from challenge.
The move has led to massive protests and violent action throughout Egypt.

A new Islamist-backed constitution was signed into law in December 2012.

In December 2012, tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of the president clashed.
It was described as the largest violent battle between Islamists and their foes
since the country's revolution.

CONDITIONS
Egypt's economy of Egypt is one of the most diversified in the Middle East.
It has sectors in tourism, agriculture, industry and services.

Egypt has significant cultural, political and military influence in Middle East,
the Mediterranean and the Muslim world.

Poverty and unemployment are huge problems.

Water issues are becoming very serious.
This combined with a population increase, adds to unemployment.

The government is in a precarious position, between the Muslim Brotherhood,
minority groups, anti-government bloggers and international pressure on some issues.

There has been a great deal of unrest.
Many are shaken and uncertain about the future.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
The country's constitution gives preference to Muslims.

Christians are often treated as second-class citizens and denied political representation.

Christians face much discrimination and churches are strictly regulated.

Muslim-background believers are rejected socially and culturally.

There have been increased tensions between Christians and Muslims in 2010.

Several riots have occurred between Christians and Muslims.

Persecution has been increasing.
Massive emigration of Christians is a concern.

Despite the persecution, there is a new openness to the Gospel through satellite TV
and Christian Arabic websites.

SUFFERERS
Three Muslims stabbed a Christian as he left a wedding service,sending
him to the hospital with severe internal injuries.

On May 2009, a car bomb exploded outside of St. Mary Church

On June 2009, a Cairo judge denied a Christian convert's request to change
his religious status on his identification card from Muslim to Christian.
The man has been attacked on the streets and received death threats
for legally pursuing his case.

In November 2010 hundreds of Muslims attacked a Christian village, over rumors
of a romantic relationship between a Christian and a Muslim.
Houses and businesses were firebombed and five people injured

In January 2010, a drive by shooting outside a church in Nag Hamadi, killed
6 Coptic Christians and a Muslim policeman.

A suicide bomber killed 25 people at a Coptic church in Alexandria and injured
100 others.

In May 2010 a church was burned in Cairo.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that the political unrest stop.
Pray that peaceful solutions be found

Pray that there be no more violence.
Pray for the physical healing of those injured in attacks.
Pray for families who lost loved ones.

Pray for those suffering from poverty and unemployment

Pray that solutions to water problems be discovered.

Pray for churches serving their local communities by providing employment
opportunities for persecuted Christians.

Pray that many would hear the gospel though Christian TV and internet programs.

Pray for young church leaders and women involved in ministry to gain greater
understanding of the power of prayer.

Ask God to give strength to Christians suffering harassment, torture and ill treatment.