Pray for Libya

Libya is a country in the Sahara region of North Africa.
It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, Egypt in the east, Sudan
in the southeast, Chad and Niger in the south, and Algeria and Tunisia in the west.

The population is 6.4 million.
The largest city, Tripoli, is home to 1.7 million.

FACTS
Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa, and the 17th largest in the world.

The Libyan Desert is one of the most arid places on earth.
In places decades may pass without seeing any rainfall at all.

Libya holds the largest proven oil reserves in Africa.

DEMOGRAPHICS
96.7% Muslim
2.0%  Christian
1.3%  Other

97% Berber and Arab
3% Other( Tunisian, Egyptian, Greek, Maltese, Italian, Turk, Pakistan and Indian)

HISTORY
For thousands of years Libya has been populated by Berger groups.

During the 5th c B.C. the Phoenicians established many trading posts and colonies, including Tripoli.

In 630 B.C. the Greeks established the city of Cyrene.

During the Roman Empire, Cyrene was part of the Roman territory of  Cyrenaica

After the fall of Rome, Libya was ruled by first Arabs, then Ottomans, then Italians.

Libya became independent in 1951.

In 1969, after a military revolution Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, took over.

Throughout the '70s and '80s Libya was linked to international terrorism that led
to political isolation from the west.

In 2011 a civil war and NATO-led military intervention resulted in the ousting
and death of the country's former leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

Since then then country has been going through political reconstruction.

CONDITIONS
The economy depends mostly upon revenues from the oil sector.
Foreign investment and trade have been increasing.

Libya faces many structural problems in both institutions and government.

The economy displays a lack of economic diversification.
Unemployment and youth unemployment is high
There is a significant reliance on immigrant labor.

There are high levels of social inequality and regional economic disparities.

Water supply is also a problem.
28% of the population didn't have access to safe drinking water in 2000

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
Libya adheres to Islamic law
All citizens are Sunni Muslims 'by definition'.

Converting from Islam brings social pressure and ostracism.

Almost all Christians are foreign workers, and are strictly monitored.
There is a limit of one church per denomination per city.
Many expat churches have seen their permits withdrawn.

The government criminalizes evangelism and forbids missionary activity.
A number of expatriates are trying to reach Libyans, but are hindered
by the secret police.
Christian literature may enter only through secretive means.

There are very few Libyan believers.
Most are forced to believe in secret and are afraid to meet with others.
The large network of secret police makes it difficult to organize
church activities.

SUFFERERS
A non-Libyan Christian who tried to share the gospel was beaten and held for
45 days before he was deported.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that the new government serve with justice.

Pray that the economy improve.

Pray for those suffering from unemployment.

Pray that their be greater equality

Pray that solutions be found to the lack of water.

Pray that GOD give the believers strength and discenrnment.

Pray that people in remote areas will tune in to Christian radio and TV broadcasts

Pray for wisdom for young believers sharing their new faith with their families.