Country Profile: Libya

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has experienced significant instability, internal conflict, and insurgency. Over the past year, that instability has intensified as forces in the East of the country under Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, have attempted to overthrow the United Nations recognized government in the capital Tripoli. With Haftar’s failure to take the capital in May 2020, and his subsequent retreat back to the East, the ongoing civil war looks set to continue, threatening not only the stability of Libya, but the region as a whole. Amid such turmoil and uncertainty, and in a nation where 97% of the population profess Islam, God’s church though small, continues to grow. Though Christians are technically free to worship, state surveillance, family pressure, and the frequent lack of law and order present significant barriers to Christian fellowship and evangelism. To this point, please remember the church in Libya in your prayers this week. That God would continue to protect and defend his people, giving them the fortitude to continue bearing the cross of Christ well. Pray also for the nation of Libya, that peace might come swiftly and that many would turn to Christ in these days of hardship and loss.