Praying in Desperation as Bombs Fall Over Beirut
Reports from Partners of the Stefanus Alliance: Horrific moments as buildings near the homes of key staff were reduced to rubble.
The Crater Left by an Israeli Bomb That Struck the Neighboring House of a Leader in Resurrection Church Beirut.
First published on stefanus.no 11.22.2024. Written by: Johannes Morken Photo: Resurrection Church Beirut
"You can imagine the panicked evacuation," shares Resurrection Church Beirut, recounting how a neighborhood with churches and hospitals was warned of impending airstrikes. “The building next to our apartment complex was bombed without warning,” says a staff member from the Adyan Foundation.
Israel's bombardment of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, is now striking Christian neighborhoods. One of the attacks hit a building close to the main church of the Stefanus Alliance's partner, Resurrection Church Beirut (RCB).
Surrounded by Churches and a Hospital
On Sunday, November 17, RCB reported:
“The building next to the home of one of our church leaders was destroyed in an airstrike early this morning. The attack hit the heart of a Christian neighborhood. The area was surrounded by churches and a hospital. Early in the morning, an evacuation order was shared on social media. Residents near our main church were warned of an imminent attack. You can imagine the panicked evacuation of several large apartment buildings. This time, they waited 50 minutes after the warning before striking. Sometimes, they give five minutes, sometimes two hours. Other times, no warning is given. The airstrike hit the building mentioned in the social media post. Yet again, an entire neighborhood was shaken. Our church leader and his family managed to escape in time, seeking refuge in our church building.
Please pray for this family. They play a crucial role in our church’s ministry, supporting hundreds of members and overseeing several church plants in our network. We praise God for their safety and cry out, 'Christ, have mercy.'”
Worship Outshines Explosions
Despite continuous bombing, the church gathers. On Friday, November 22, RCB shared:
“This week has seen bombings day and night. Today is Lebanon's Independence Day—a hard day, offering no rest for the people of Lebanon.”
The previous Friday, a group of teenagers gathered for worship and prayer, with explosions rumbling in the background.
“Still, it was a remarkably blessed evening. Only 15 came, but one leader said afterward: ‘We worshipped louder than the explosions.’”
A Call to Prayer
Resurrection Church Beirut continues to open its doors to serve those in need. They invite the global church to pray:
*"Immanuel God, who came to us through Your Son Jesus, we invite You now, by Your Spirit, to renew our broken Lebanon.
Will You stop the violence and destruction around us?
Will You bring us peace and rest?
Will You build something new in Lebanon and the region?"*
Bombed Without Warning
As Israel intensified its strikes against Lebanon—initially in the south and now targeting Beirut due to Hezbollah’s ongoing attacks—a massive wave of refugees moved northward. Israel’s first attacks in Beirut targeted a southern district dominated by Hezbollah. Now, central Beirut is under fire.
Another Stefanus Alliance partner, the Adyan Foundation, described the fear and devastation:
“I live in Marelias, a part of Beirut that was supposed to be safe. Two days ago, the building next to ours was bombed without any warning. The explosion was so loud and so close that we felt like our building was about to collapse. The experience was utterly terrifying and incomprehensible. We were so afraid. My parents had fled their home in southern Lebanon, in the village of Shakra, two months ago due to the war. They came to live with us in Beirut because it was no longer safe to stay there. But now it seems there’s no safe place left. Israel commits crimes every day, killing civilians, and no one is stopping them.”