Ek woon in Beiroet, one of the world’s oldest cities — a place where history clings to every stone and the sea breeze carries both beauty and sorrow. Once, Beirut was called “the Paris of the East,” a hub of intellect, art, and culture. But decades of war, corruption, and tragedy have left deep scars on our city. We are a people trying to rebuild — again and again — from the ruins.

In the past decade, over 1.5 million Syrian refugees have poured into Lebanon, straining an already fragile economy. Then came the pandemic, the explosion of August 4, 2020, and a financial collapse that turned savings into dust. Many here call Lebanon a “failed state.” Yet even as systems crumble, I see something unshakable: the Church rising in love.

Everywhere, believers are feeding the hungry, comforting the broken, and praying for renewal. In the middle of despair, the light of Jesus shines through compassion and faith. We are not many, but we are steadfast — carrying hope into hospitals, refugee camps, and ruined streets. I believe that what the enemy meant for destruction, God will use for redemption. And one day, Beirut will not only be rebuilt in stone, but in spirit — a city known for the radiance of Christ’s love.

• Bid vir the people of Beirut to encounter lasting hope in Jesus amid ongoing political and economic turmoil. (Psalm 46:1)

• Bid vir the Church in Lebanon to shine brightly in compassion, generosity, and unity as it serves the brokenhearted. (Matteus 5:14–16)

• Bid vir healing and restoration for families devastated by the Beirut blast and years of instability. (Psalm 34:18)

• Bid vir refugees and the poor to find provision, safety, and the love of Christ through local believers. (Isaiah 58:10)

• Bid vir Beirut to rise again — not only as “the Paris of the East,” but as a beacon of revival in the Middle East. (Habakuk 3:2)