“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Let those held captive in Libya be set free by the power of your Spirit, Lord God, and let there be many who exchange their mourning for dancing. Let joy be released over this nation and let praise come forth from the lips of those who have been redeemed by your blood!

Today, we join with thousands in singing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)

Jesus, you alone, are worthy for you died and came back to life. You ransomed people from every tribe, tongue and nation to be brought back to God in restored relationship with Him. We glorify your holy and beautiful name, Lord Jesus!

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

You give us power through your Holy Spirit and call us to be your witnesses until you return again, Jesus. We ask for Libyan believers to receive this power and that they would be filled with boldness to identify as your followers.

As Paul described you Jesus in 1 Timothy 1:16, we thank you for the perfect patience you display in rescuing the foremost of sinners and extending your mercy to them. Thank you for never giving up on us or the people of Libya.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

Lord God, we thank you for the body of Christ in Libya and we pray just as Paul prayed that they would walk in Him, that their roots would go deep and they would be established in their faith, not forgetting what they have received. Let each believer grow and mature in their faith not being tossed to and fro by the waves.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3–4)

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your perfect example of humility and we pray for a spirit of humility in our own hearts as well as in the hearts of believers in Libya. Let us not seek to elevate ourselves but help us to come down low and serve as you called us to.

Father, we pray that You will rise up seeking, smart, influential and courageous women like Lydia in Libya. We pray for these women that You will use them to spread the gospel, serve the saints and to build Your church in unreached cities across Libya. Like You once opened Lydia’s heart (Acts 16:14), please open many more women’s hearts in Libya.

Apollos was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures, who spoke and taught accurately about Jesus with spiritual fervor and helped the believers to grow in understanding of what they had come to believe (cf. Acts 18:24-28).

Father, we ask you for men like him in Libya. We ask for Spirit-filled academics with deep thoughts, burning hearts and eloquent tongues who will bring deep understanding of Scripture and Your heavenly mindset to the Libyan believers. We also ask for people who are trained and filled by You to boldly defend the faith in front of the Muslim majority. Please raise up Libyan apologists!

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7)

Oh Almighty God, you are our refuge and fortress! Let your children in Libya find rest and security in the shadow of your wings. Let them become free of fear and anxiety as they run to you.

In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul instructs wives and husbands in how to live with one another comparing the relationship to that of Christ to the church. It’s a beautiful picture of submission and sacrificial love that is described.

Father, we pray now for marriages in Libya to reflect this type of relationship where husbands are laying down their lives for their wives in love, and likewise, wives are submitting to the headship of their husbands giving them honor. We pray especially for believers who are unequally yoked that their love for their spouse would help their spouse to discover your sacrificial love for us.