Political turmoil returns to Egypt

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 14 July 2013.

Over the past week our TV screens have been filled with images of millions of Egyptians gathered on the streets of Cairo and other cities, exercising their right to protest.

Political turmoil continues as Christian, Muslim and secularist groups seek to advance their particular interests while the powerful military looks on.

For some Egyptians, who fled the country years ago, the idea of citizens fighting for secular rule is hard to believe.  There’s little doubt that Egypt today stands on a “precipice of opportunity,” as Ramez Atallah, general secretary of the Bible Society in Egypt, put it.

Christian leaders in Egypt have requested prayer for the new government that will emerge from the current turmoil, for Christians to be bold in talking about Jesus in these unprecedented times of democratic rule, and for the elections promised by Egypt’s head of state, Adly Mahmud Mansour.  If you’re a praying person, pray for Egypt today.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.