Pastor in Egypt Prays for Hope

The Holy Spirit and the power of prayer are moving in amazing ways in the lives of Egyptian Christians, says Naji Umran, who works as a Christian Reformed Church pastor in Cairo, Egypt.

Fueled by the spirit's movement, prayer is also flourishing among Christian believers across the Middle East, Umran said in a recent presentation to a group at the CRC's office in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"Prayer and renewal movements are growing. God is doing incredible things. I see transformation starting to happen," he said.

He credits this movement of prayer as coming largely out of the crucible of hardships and violence Christians have suffered in Egypt and elsewhere in recent months and years.

As they are formed by their experiences and turn increasingly to prayer, Christians are leading by example, showing that the only lasting answer to change is to seek peace through reconciliation, and to turn our eyes to God in prayer, says Umran.

Arising out of this prayer movement is a spark of cooperation among various Christian denominations that — with God’s help — could lead to a blazing fire of unity.

"Egypt is starting to come together in terms of ecumenical collaboration and interfaith dialogue, in the neighborhoods, among academics, in industry, and in the arts and media,” says Umran.

“These are the building blocks of a society where people can peacefully coexist and interact freely with each other, despite the diversity of their beliefs. Even if the violence continues, this is an open door for God’s Spirit to move, and to sow seeds of faith.”

Umran works in discipleship and leadership development, with groups and key individuals in Egypt, while his wife, Anne Zaki, teaches at a local Presbyterian seminary.

"My passion is prayer. I believe God has called me to Egypt to pray for the people he brings my way. I believe this is one way we shape the future.”

Both he and his wife find that, despite the upheavals that have faced Egyptian society in the last year or two, people of faith have remained steadfast, and many continue to cross their paths.

"Through this walking alongside in prayer, doors are opening for partnership," he says.

But there is also great hunger for solid spiritual food and serious pastoral counsel. Besides his involvement in prayer, Umran says, he uses the strategies of networking and discipleship to teach a Reformed faith to those with whom he prays.

"We continue to look for and to provide ways for discipleship. We want to encourage a vital healthy church. It takes carefully nurturing areas of activity that could become seeds for positive change, or, just as easily, sparks of conflict,” he says.

“Interfaith and ecumenical relationships are one part of this, but Egyptian Christians also struggle to understand the person and work of the Holy Spirit, and how to recognize the gifts and leadership potential of all people, women included."

While violence keeps erupting in spots across Cairo and Egypt, he and his wife and children remain safe. Their neighborhood is safe.

Contrary to media reports that might indicate everyone in Egypt is in danger, they are not in jeopardy.

"The military have lots of support in Egypt. People are grateful for their presence. At the same time, frustration with the government grows as things fail to move forward.”

Among the biggest challenges facing Egyptian Christians today is the question of how involved they should be in helping quell violence and bring about political change.

“Even though there is sometimes resistance to this, even within the church, Christians are getting involved. There are active citizenship committees in local churches, Christians running for political office, and mature church leaders involved in crafting the new Constitution. Christians are doing what they can."