January 2021

resign and a new one formed, then COVID hit an already fragile
infrastructure. Finally the blast in the port area of Beirut in August which
destroyed most of the port, killed and injured hundreds, made 1000's
homeless and destroyed the stores of wheat which normally feeds the
nation over the winter. With the world gripped in a pandemic and political
storms waging in that part of the world, aid has been slow and the
Lebanese people face an extremely difficult winter.
We in Melrose and Peebles Presbytery cannot hope to sort the problem, but
Rima asks that we as a Presbytery pray for our brothers and sisters in
Lebanon. The fact that we are concerned and remember them in our
prayers goes a long way to help people realise they have not been
abandoned. If nothing else this pandemic has made us all realise how small
the world really is and how interconnected we all are.
Some Possible Prayer Pointers:
• The impact of rampant inflation and economic collapse resulting from years
of corrupt and inept leadership at Government level.
• The rise recently in Covid-19 cases burdening an already underfunded and
over stretched health system.
• The ongoing aftermath of the August explosion in the Docks area of Beirut
which resulted in over 200 deaths, 6,000 severe injuries and disabilities,
and 300,000 homeless.
Please share this request with your family and your church family and on
behalf of the World Mission Committee, I pray you have a safe Christmas
and look forward in hope to 2021.
Best wishes,
Fiona Burnett
Chair, Presbytery World Mission Committee