Church building destroyed in Egypt

Please pray for Christians in the village of Merinab, Egypt.

On September 30, approximately 1,000 local Muslims destroyed the church of St. George in the village of Merinab, Aswan province, reports Middle East Concern. The mob also damaged other property belonging to Christians. The security and fire services failed to intervene.

As we reported in mid-September, the church was being renovated with all necessary building permits in place.

On August 26, there was a confrontation between local Muslim and Christian residents. In subsequent days a mob blocked all roads into the village, demanding that work on the church building be stopped.

On September 2, a meeting was held involving the church leaders, local Muslim leaders and representatives of the security forces. The church leaders agreed to forgo the construction of the spire and external cross on the building in order to maintain communal harmony.

However, there were further threats against the church as Muslims demanded that the domes be removed from the church building's roof structure. Further meetings failed to agree a way forward.

Two church buildings in the Cairo area that were destroyed by mobs earlier this year have been rebuilt by the army. Other church properties damaged or destroyed by mobs have not been rebuilt by the army or other state institutions, and Egyptian Christians are not optimist that rebuilding will be offered in this case.

For the full report, click here.

Egyptian Christians request our prayers that:

• The situation in Merinab will be defused and the church will be re-built. 
• Christians in Merinab will know the presence and peace of Jesus, and the daily guiding wisdom of the Spirit. 
• Church leaders in the area will know the Spirit's guiding wisdom in their interactions with other community leaders and in leading their congregations. 
• There will be effective government action to address sectarian pressures against church building projects. 
• All officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him.