Pray for the safety and peace of
Christians residing in Egypt.
On April 9th, explosions targeting Palm Sunday services at two churches in Egypt killed at least 44 people and injured over a hundred others. According to reports, the first bomb exploded during the morning service of St. George's Church in Tanta, a city less than 96 kilometres north of Cairo, killing 27 people and wounding 78 others. Just hours later, the second explosion -- a suicide bomb attack -- killed a further 17 Christians and injured 48 at St. Mark's Cathedral in Alexandria.
Palm Sunday's bombings are the latest in a series of attacks targeting Christians in the country. In December 2016, ISIS claimed responsibility for a Cairo church bombing that killed almost 30 innocent people. At least seven more individuals have been murdered by militants in northern Egypt since January 30th -- with victims being burned alive, stabbed in their sleep, or shot in the street. In February, the jihadist group released a video inciting violence against the "infidel" Christian faith community. A previous report is available here.
Due to the increasing number of threats and attacks, hundreds of Christians fled the coastal city of El-Arish, Sinai, in late February. Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared a three-month nationwide state of emergency following the attacks, and established a Supreme Council to Combat Terrorism and Fanaticism.
While mourning the Christians killed during the two Palm Sunday bomb attacks, several churches in various parts of Egypt will not be conducting their usual Easter celebration festivities but rather will be focussing on the importance of prayer.
May God's presence be tangibly experienced by these brokenhearted brothers and sisters in Christ -- providing greatly needed comfort to the grieving, healing to the injured, and strength and hope to all who've been traumatized by the bombings. Ask that His wisdom will be granted to the Egyptian government as attempts are made to bring those who are responsible to justice and ensure protection of the remaining members of the Christian community. Despite the upheaval and attacks in recent months, pray that the church in Egypt will remain unified and strong; not only fully equipped with the armour of God for this heightened spiritual battle but also filled with His Spirit so they can respond in ways that testify of His compassion, mercy and saving grace.
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