Two years ago, on 9 October 2011, the Egyptian military attacked a peaceful demonstration made up largely of members of the Coptic Christian community in Maspero, Cairo. An estimated 28 people were killed and over 200 were injured in the violence.

The Copts had been protesting the demolition of a church in Upper Egypt. Official sources have continuously denied any wrongdoing, and have instead accused the peaceful protestors of assaulting the army. Against a background of increasing tensions in the whole of Egypt, as attacks on Coptic Christians happen with increasing regularity, please pray for peace on the anniversary of the Maspero Massacre.

This week please:

• Pray that events to mark the anniversary of the Maspero violence would be peaceful;
• Ask God to bring justice for the victims of the massacre;
• Ask God to comfort and strengthen the families of the victims;
• Pray that the Coptic community would be given wisdom for how to respond to increasing harassment and attacks;
• Thank God for the Egyptian Church’s long history and strong roots;
• Pray for CSW’s partners on the ground who are working for peace at a time of such uncertainty;
• Pray that the Egyptian government would encourage tolerance and respect for all religions.