Please pray for a young Libyan believer who came to faith in Jesus Christ about 4 years ago. He lives in the west of Libya where militias de facto are in power, due to a lack of law enforcement and control by the central government in large parts of Libya.
Since he became a Christian, the believer has been arrested and held several times by the militias who pressed him to renounce his faith in Jesus. Time and again, he refused. During this recent arrest, he again refused to deny his faith when pushed to. Sadly, this time, his refusal resulted in a death sentence by the local court.
In addition, the believer was forced to publicly display this verdict outside his home and the court, and to announce it in a local newspaper and radio station.
Because of the multiple powers in control over different parts of Libya, there are also different interpretations on the application of the law. Currently, there is no law against apostasy according to the central government elected in 2014. However, between 2012 and 2014, there were laws that an apostate from Islam should be executed if they would not recant their new faith.
It appears that the local court is taking advantage of this lack of clarity and applying laws that were revoked by the central government.
During the entire judicial process, the believer did not have access to a lawyer or any other form of legal representation to defend his case.
PRAY FOR OUR BROTHER
- That in this situation the Lord Jesus encourages and strengthens him, and keeps fear away.
- That he will be allowed a fair trial and legal representation, and that the death sentence will not be carried out.
- For people around him who concerned about the fate of this brother, that the Holy Spirit guides them to know what’s the best next thing to do.
