In the build up to the first stage of elections planned for 28 November, religious minorities in Egypt are in need of our prayers. This year has seen an increase in sectarian violence, with over 44 incidents reported so far, compared with 53 from 2008 to 2010. Then there is the military’s attack of peaceful protestors in early October. The nation is in desperate need of our prayers.

This week, please:

• Heavenly Father, we place the Egyptian people into your precious care and thank You for the signs of unity we’re seeing between Muslims and Christians. Please foster these relationships with a spirit of harmony and unity.
• Pray for peace in the Upper Egyptian village of Elmadmar, where a church building has been attacked and Christians are experiencing hostility from Muslim neighbours.
• Pray for the congregation of St George’s Church near Aswan, which was set on fire by a mob in late September after officially approved renovations led to local tensions .
• Pray for the Christians in the Aswan area whose homes were set on fire during the September attack. Pray also for families who have been terrorised by mobs and vandals.
• Ask God to protect Coptic communities and churches, and to thwart the plans of extremists who seek to do harm to others.
• Pray for those who lost loved ones recently, when the military attacked peaceful protests in Cairo.
• Ask God to grant wisdom to Christian leaders in Egypt as they seek to lead, equip and encourage Christians through this turbulent time.