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19th August 2024

SAT-7 is stepping up prayer and support for children and families in Lebanon and beyond amid fears of escalating conflict in the region.

The situation has intensified since the airstrike on Beirut at the end of July. People in Lebanon have been telling SAT-7 about the struggle of daily life there as tensions heighten.

“We can hear the strikes around us every day and every minute,” Kamelia Jalbout from Qlayaa, a predominantly Christian village in southern Lebanon, told SAT-7’s You Are Not Alone (YANA) program on August 9. “When the children play near the house, my heart is anxious over their safety. I can’t keep my children stuck at home. My husband works in Beirut. I am responsible for the house. We just want to live a normal life. May God protect Lebanon.”

Mobilizing Prayer

SAT-7 has been mobilizing prayer for Lebanon and the wider region, as well as offering comfort and hope through our social media pages and live television programs. On August 10, a live Facebook prayer session with a Lebanese pastor attracted nearly 9,000 views and almost 200 comments from people requesting and offering prayers for the situation.

One participant asked, “I request a prayer for my family, placing all my worries and difficult circumstances before the Lord. I also request a prayer for my children, that the Lord may meet our needs in these difficult days and protect us.”

Meanwhile, August 9’s episode of Voice of the Church featured updates and prayers from several church leaders in Lebanon. “We are going through difficult times, destruction, and displacement,” said Pastor Maroun Shammas of the Baptist Evangelical Church in Deir Mimas. “We need prayers for the Lord to end this tragedy and return all the displaced to their homes so we can have back our normal life.”

Pastor Shammas went on to encourage viewers to take refuge in the Lord: “Jesus is our peace, our joy and consolation in times of trial and danger. We lift our eyes to Him and seek refuge in Him… until we pass this difficult time and enjoy the peace of the Prince of Peace.”

SAT-7 ARABIC’s Viewer Support Team is encouraging people to reach out with their prayer requests and is checking in on viewers who have previously made contact. A crawl across the screen launched last week to share contact information, prayer points, and biblical inspiration.

Support for Families

The impact of the conflict on children is a particular concern, so SAT‑7 KIDS is planning live social media sessions with a counselor to help young viewers explore and express their feelings, including fear, to equip them to face difficult circumstances.

SAT-7 KIDS is also sharing short social media segments on relevant topics like fear, doubt, and uncertainty. And the team is producing prayer segments from children in Egypt and Lebanon to encourage young viewers to pray for each other.

SAT-7 is also increasing its support for parents. A monthly social media workshop on the SAT7 Parents page is being offered weekly to provide more advice and input for families. Upcoming sessions will focus on self-care, well-being, and effective parenting strategies.

Please Pray

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