War Response Updates

Yesterday, Lebanon experienced another tense and uncertain day amid renewed threats of potential strikes targeting Beirut and its southern suburbs, despite the ceasefire agreement remaining formally in place. Public warnings and evacuation notices heightened anxiety across the capital, prompting many families to leave their homes in search of safer locations and causing significant traffic congestion as residents waited anxiously to see how events would unfold.

Today, the immediate threat to Beirut appears to have temporarily eased following statements suggesting a fragile understanding: if calm is maintained north of Israel, Beirut will be spared from further escalation. While this development has brought a measure of relief to many residents, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on families across the country as they navigate the emotional toll of instability and the persistent fear of what tomorrow may bring.

At Thimar, the effects of these developments were felt firsthand. As fears intensified and evacuation notices circulated, additional families arrived seeking refuge at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) guest house. For many, the decision to leave familiar surroundings once again in pursuit of safety and stability was deeply difficult.

Even amid uncertainty, our teams continue to welcome families, provide practical support, and foster spaces where children and parents can experience encouragement, care, and community. In moments such as these, a safe place to sleep, a warm meal, a listening ear, and the presence of compassionate people become powerful reminders that no one should face hardship alone.

Please continue to pray for wisdom for leaders, protection for civilians, and comfort for those who have been displaced or are considering leaving their homes. We especially ask for prayer for the families arriving at ABTS, that they would experience safety, peace, and renewed hope during this difficult season. May God strengthen those serving others and remind every child and family that they are seen, cared for, and not forgotten.

Today, June 1, 2026, Beirut is facing renewed tension following a major escalation marked by airstrike threats and attacks targeting the city’s southern suburbs. This is unfolding in the midst of a ceasefire that had offered many a fragile sense of stability and hope. After military announcements and evacuation warnings were issued, residents in several areas began leaving their homes amid fears of additional strikes.

For many, the distress of today lies not only in the threat of violence itself, but in the painful reminder of how fragile calm can feel. In the middle of the ceasefire, many had begun cautiously rebuilding routines, returning to schools and workplaces, and hoping for a more stable season. Yet as evacuation notices spread, thousands of families attempted to leave at once, creating severe congestion on major roads leading toward central Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and northern areas as people searched for safer shelter or refuge with relatives and friends.

Today, we ask you to pray for Beirut, not only for protection from violence, but for the countless families caught in uncertainty: for parents sitting in traffic with frightened children, for the elderly and vulnerable struggling to move quickly, for those anxiously wondering whether they will be able to return home tonight, and for wisdom, safety, and calm amid fear. Pray that peace would prevail over anxiety in a city weary from carrying so much uncertainty, that the ceasefire would hold and not deteriorate further, and that hope and protection would surround those facing this difficult day.

For many students across Lebanon, education over the past two years has represented far more than attending classes and completing assignments. It has become an exercise in perseverance, learning how to continue moving forward when uncertainty repeatedly interrupts the rhythm of daily life. School closures, displacement, security concerns, and the emotional toll of prolonged instability have placed burdens on young people far heavier than their years might suggest.

One student at Beirut Baptist School reflected on a season when discouragement quietly began to take root after missing lessons due to the situation in the country. Returning to mounting assignments and unfinished coursework felt overwhelming. The growing pile of missed work seemed to reflect a widening gap, creating the painful impression that others were moving ahead while they struggled to regain their footing. What began as temporary disruption gradually gave rise to deeper questions about whether finishing the school year successfully was still within reach.

Yet what could have become a story marked by defeat slowly unfolded into one of resilience.

Instead of criticism, the student encountered compassion. Teachers responded with patience and encouragement, while the school counseling team consistently reminded students that struggle in the midst of hardship is not failure, but a deeply human response to difficult circumstances. Through intentional conversations, mental health awareness initiatives, and ongoing counseling support, students received something many desperately needed: the assurance that they were seen, understood, and valued.

Reflecting on their experience at Beirut Baptist School, the student shared that some of the most enduring lessons extended well beyond academics. Through the school’s commitment to inclusive education, they came to understand that every individual learns, grows, and overcomes challenges differently. Programs supporting students with diverse needs cultivated a culture where empathy, dignity, and belonging were not abstract ideals, but daily realities woven into the life of the school community.

The student also spoke about the quiet yet profound impact of weekly chapel services. During seasons when uncertainty felt relentless, these moments offered space to pause, reflect, and find steadiness amid the noise.

In a country where instability continues to shape everyday life for many young people, stories like these remind us that education is about far more than shaping minds. It is about strengthening hearts, cultivating resilience, and helping students discover the courage to move forward, even in the most challenging seasons.

Today in Beirut, the atmosphere remains tense and uncertain as military escalation continues to affect daily life across the country. While many of the heaviest strikes and ongoing hostilities have taken place in southern Lebanon, today Beirut itself experienced an airstrike, bringing the reality of the conflict directly into the capital once again.

An airstrike struck an apartment building in the southern suburb of Choueifat, an area of Beirut located close to the international airport. The strike followed a series of escalating attacks and warnings for residents to evacuate parts of southern Lebanon. For many families, the sound of surveillance drones overhead, renewed fears of escalation, and the uncertainty surrounding the fragile ceasefire have deepened anxiety and disrupted any sense of stability.

Please pray for the Lord to protect civilians who are exhausted from living under repeated tension and instability. Pray that He would draw near to parents trying to calm frightened children, to elderly individuals carrying memories of past wars, and to displaced families longing for safety and rest. We ask for special prayer for those who had to leave their homes suddenly, carrying only what they could take with them.

May the Lord bring comfort to hearts overwhelmed by anxiety. In moments where fear feels louder than hope, may His presence remind people that He remains close to the brokenhearted and faithful in every season of uncertainty. Please also pray for churches, schools, ministries, counselors, and relief workers who continue serving others faithfully despite their own exhaustion.

Lastly, we ask you to pray for every child whose sense of normal life has been shaken once again. May the Lord surround them with comfort, stability, and caring people who remind them they are deeply loved and not forgotten.

For most children, a birthday is marked by familiar comforts: a home filled with family, decorations carefully hung on the walls, favorite foods, and wishes made in the places they know best. But for Heaven, this birthday looked different. Two years ago, at just four years old, she was displaced from Deir Mimas during the conflict of 2024. Now, at six years old, she finds herself displaced once again, celebrating her birthday far from home at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS).

Every morning, Heaven joins the devotions alongside other displaced families. Her favorite part is the singing. She watches with bright eyes and quiet excitement, smiling at those around her, though her shy nature often keeps her from being the center of attention. There is something deeply moving about seeing such joy remain in a child who has already experienced so much uncertainty.

When we asked Heaven what she wished for on her birthday, she lowered her eyes and smiled shyly, choosing not to tell us. Perhaps it was simply a moment of childhood shyness. Or perhaps some wishes feel too precious to put into words. Maybe she dreams of running freely once again through the fields of Deir Mimas. Maybe she misses the toys left behind, a favorite corner of home, or a bicycle she hopes to ride. We cannot know for certain.

What we do know is that every child deserves more than safety alone. Children deserve the freedom to dream, to play, to celebrate birthdays without the weight of uncertainty, and to grow up believing that tomorrow holds good things for them. As we celebrated Heaven’s sixth birthday, we were reminded that behind every displacement statistic is a child with a name, a smile, and hopes for the future. And while we may not know the wish she carried in her heart yesterday, we pray that one day she will have the opportunity to see it come true.

Heavenly Father,

Today, we lift Lebanon before You with hearts that are both weary and hopeful. You see every family carrying burdens too heavy for words, every parent lying awake at night wondering what tomorrow may bring, and every child trying to make sense of a world that feels uncertain around them. Lord, You know the weight that many have carried for months and years, through conflict, displacement, financial hardship, and the emotional toll of living in a state of constant uncertainty.

We pray especially for those who remain displaced from their homes. For families still waiting to return, and for those who have returned but continue to live with fear and instability. We ask that You would be their refuge and strength. Restore a sense of safety where fear has taken root. Bring comfort to those who feel unsettled, anxious, or overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control.

Father, we pray for the children of Lebanon. Protect their minds and hearts from the lasting effects of trauma. For those who have grown accustomed to hearing drones overhead, who have experienced fear at a young age, and who continue to carry worries that children should never have to bear, surround them with Your peace. Raise up caring adults, teachers, counselors, and ministry workers who can help them heal and discover hope again.

We also remember the many parents struggling beneath the pressures of rising costs, uncertain incomes, and the daily challenge of providing for their families. Grant them wisdom, endurance, and moments of rest amidst their responsibilities. May they know that they are not carrying these burdens alone.

Lord, we ask for wisdom for Lebanon’s leaders and decision-makers. As important discussions and developments continue to unfold, guide every conversation toward peace, justice, stability, and the well-being of the people. Open doors that no one can shut and make a way where there seems to be none.

Even in difficult days, remind us that You remain sovereign. When uncertainty grows louder, help us hold firmly to the truth that our hope is found in You. Teach us to trust You not only when answers are clear, but also when we must walk by faith.

May Lebanon once again become a place where families flourish, children laugh freely, communities rebuild, and people can look toward the future with confidence rather than fear.

And Father, help us remain grateful. In a season where so much feels fragile, remind us to recognize Your faithfulness in both the extraordinary and the ordinary moments. May songs of worship rise from this land as a testimony that Your goodness has not changed. Let praise be stronger than fear, hope stronger than despair, and faith stronger than uncertainty.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Refuge, Provider, and Prince of Peace,

Amen.

The most meaningful impact of humanitarian work cannot be measured by numbers alone. Recently, 150 dairy portions were distributed to vulnerable families through one of our partner churches. As the church team visited neighborhoods and shelters hosting displaced families, the pastor shared something that stayed with us long after the food had been delivered.

“When people see us coming,” he said, “they tell us, ‘We love seeing you. Not just because you help us, but because we feel at ease when we see you. We feel genuine comfort.'”

His words are a reminder that in times of uncertainty, people often need more than practical assistance. They need reassurance that they have not been forgotten. They need familiar faces, listening ears, and the comfort of knowing that someone continues to show up.

Time after time, this pastor faithfully visits families facing difficult circumstances. He enters neighborhoods carrying dairy products, but also something far less visible and equally important: presence. Whether visiting vulnerable households or spending time with displaced families, he goes where the need exists, offering encouragement, prayer, and compassionate companionship alongside the practical support provided through Thimar.

The dairy portions helped meet an immediate need, but the impact extended beyond the food itself. Every visit communicates a simple message: you are seen, you are valued, and you are not walking through this season alone.

In a world where many families continue to carry the weight of displacement, economic hardship, and uncertainty, these moments of connection remind us that hope often arrives through ordinary acts of faithfulness. A shared conversation. A listening ear. A visit that says, “We remembered you.”

Sometimes, the greatest gift is not only what is placed in someone’s hands, but what is restored in their heart.

When the Salt & Light team first began serving displaced children, there were many unknowns. Some of the children came carrying the weight of displacement, uncertainty, and experiences no child should have to face. For Philip, one of the coordinators and worship leaders, there was an additional question on his heart: Would these children connect with the message of God’s love? He wondered what emotions they would bring into the room, whether they would be willing to participate, and even which worship songs would best meet them where they were. Should they sing about joy in the middle of hardship, or about longing for God during difficult days?

In those first weeks, participation was limited. Some children remained quiet during worship, while others hesitated to engage with the lessons and activities. Yet something beautiful began to unfold through simple acts of consistency and care. Leaders sat with the children, listened to them, painted alongside them, and gathered them into small groups where friendships could begin to grow. Slowly, trust started to replace hesitation. Children who once observed from a distance began singing, participating, laughing, and building relationships with one another. They no longer saw the leaders as strangers, but as trusted older friends who genuinely cared for them.

The activities that left the deepest impact were often the simplest. Bible stories helped children see that many people in Scripture also walked through fear, uncertainty, and hardship, yet discovered God’s faithfulness along the way. Puppet shows, games, and short plays filled the room with laughter while teaching lessons about kindness, sharing, and caring for others. The changes became visible not only during the sessions, but in the way the children treated one another afterward.

Yet perhaps the greatest encouragement came from the children themselves. Amid a season marked by uncertainty, their innocence became a reminder of hope. Their joy often made the leaders forget, if only for a moment, the challenges surrounding them. In their faith, their laughter, and their willingness to trust again, they reflected the very truth Jesus spoke of when He pointed to children as examples of faith.

Today, Philip looks at these children with gratitude and hope. The future may still hold many uncertainties, but seeds have been planted. Through the faithfulness of staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters, these children have encountered caring role models, meaningful friendships, and the love of Christ. Those seeds may one day grow into a generation of compassionate, resilient, and faithful leaders who will carry that same hope forward to others.

While Lebanon continues to face economic challenges and rising living costs, families across the country continue to show remarkable resilience, perseverance, and commitment to caring for one another. Parents are working hard to provide stability for their children, communities are finding ways to support each other, and many continue to move forward with determination despite ongoing uncertainty.

Daily life has become more demanding for many households as the cost of education, transportation, food, and other necessities continues to increase. Families are making careful decisions about spending and future planning, while still striving to maintain routines, opportunities, and a sense of normalcy for their children. Even amid these pressures, there remains a strong desire among parents to invest in their children’s growth, education, and well-being.

Children, too, are navigating this season alongside their families. They are growing up in an environment where uncertainty is often present, yet they also continue to display creativity, adaptability, and joy in the midst of difficult circumstances. Moments of encouragement, friendship, and stability can make a profound difference in helping children feel secure and hopeful about the future.

Thimar’s Response

In this context, the Salt and Light ministry continues to create meaningful opportunities for children to experience support, connection, and joy. Recently, the team organized a trust-centered activity and interactive games for children staying at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS).

Through teamwork, shared challenges, and moments of encouragement, the children learned about friendship, supporting one another, and building trust during difficult seasons. The activities also reminded them that God remains present and faithful, even when circumstances feel uncertain.

What stood out most was the joy and engagement of the children as they participated together. Laughter, cooperation, and meaningful conversations filled the space, offering the children a sense of belonging and reassurance. These moments may seem simple, but they play an important role in strengthening emotional resilience and reminding children that they are not alone.

Prayer Requests

Please continue praying for families across Lebanon as they navigate economic pressures and ongoing uncertainty. Pray that parents would have wisdom, strength, and provision as they care for their children and plan for the future. Pray also for children, that they would continue to grow in hope, confidence, and emotional security despite the challenges around them.

Please also pray for the Salt and Light team as they continue serving children and families with compassion and faithfulness. May God continue opening doors for meaningful ministry, providing encouragement to weary hearts, and using these moments of connection to bring hope and stability to the children and families being served.

There is a form of exhaustion that develops not only from physical loss, but from prolonged uncertainty. It is the strain of living in a constant state of alertness, where stability feels temporary and daily life is shaped by unpredictability. Over time, even routine activities such as sleeping, learning, planning, or resting become more difficult when families are continually anticipating disruption.

For many children and families in Lebanon, this has become part of daily reality. Home is no longer experienced solely as a physical space, but as a sense of security that has been significantly disrupted. Even among families who remain in their homes, many continue to live under the pressure of possible escalation, displacement, and ongoing instability. Children in particular are carrying levels of stress that increasingly affect their sleep, concentration, emotional regulation, relationships, and ability to engage fully in school and daily life.

Since the escalation of the war in March 2026, the humanitarian impact across Lebanon has grown rapidly. According to UNICEF, more than one million people have been displaced across the country, including over 370,000 children, with nearly 19,000 children being displaced every single day during the height of the escalation. In less than a month, nearly 20% of Lebanon’s population experienced displacement, while schools, shelters, healthcare systems, and essential infrastructure came under increasing pressure.

Mental health professionals and humanitarian agencies continue to warn about the long-term psychological consequences of prolonged instability on children and adolescents. Many children have now experienced repeated displacement, disrupted education, interrupted routines, exposure to violence, and separation from familiar support systems multiple times within a short period. Humanitarian organizations working across Lebanon report rising levels of anxiety, disrupted sleep, emotional distress, fear, and difficulty coping among both children and adults as communities continue living under ongoing uncertainty.

As a result, the humanitarian concern extends beyond immediate physical needs. Families are facing increasing mental and emotional fatigue after carrying prolonged stress for months at a time. Parents are attempting to maintain stability for their children while simultaneously managing financial pressure, uncertainty, displacement, and emotional strain within their own households.

Thimar’s Response

At Beirut Baptist School, the impact of prolonged instability is visible not only in the classroom, but also across the wider school community. This week, the school counseling team organized a breakfast gathering for parents, providing a supportive environment where families could connect, discuss shared challenges, and receive encouragement during a particularly difficult period. In contexts of ongoing uncertainty, opportunities for community support and open conversation become increasingly important.

The counseling team continues to support both students and caregivers, recognizing that student wellbeing is closely connected to the wellbeing of families at home. Nearly 30% of students at the Beirut Baptist School remain displaced and continue attending school while living away from their homes, placing ongoing emotional, financial, and logistical strain on many households. Counselors are therefore working not only with students experiencing distress, but also alongside parents and guardians seeking to provide consistency and reassurance for their children despite unstable circumstances.

Please continue praying for peace and stability across Lebanon, particularly for families who remain displaced or uncertain about the future. Pray for strength and wisdom for parents carrying significant responsibilities, for resilience and protection for children continuing their education amid instability, and for the counselors, teachers, and staff supporting families throughout this difficult season. May God provide safety, endurance, and renewed hope for households across the country.

The past several days have been exceptionally fragile for Lebanon on political, diplomatic, and security levels. Diplomatic meetings held in Washington resulted in a temporary extension of the ceasefire for an additional 45 days, effectively continuing the April 16 arrangement, with further discussions scheduled later in May and early June. While U.S. officials described the talks as “productive,” Lebanese leaders responded with cautious optimism, noting what they viewed as tangible diplomatic progress amid an increasingly uncertain regional landscape.

Despite these developments, conditions on the ground remain deeply unstable. Military operations continued even after the ceasefire extension was announced, with airstrikes in southern Lebanon within hours of the agreement, resulting in civilian casualties, including paramedics. These incidents have heightened fears that the ceasefire remains highly fragile and that renewed escalation could occur at any moment. Border areas continue to experience instability, many communities remain unsafe for returning residents, and displacement persists across several regions.

At the same time, Lebanon continues to face a severe humanitarian strain. Ongoing displacement, damaged infrastructure, overcrowded schools and shelters, inflation, and worsening food insecurity are compounding an already devastating national crisis. After years marked by economic collapse, political paralysis, the Beirut port explosion, and repeated conflict, many Lebanese families are living under profound emotional, financial, and psychological exhaustion, uncertain about what lies ahead.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza recently emphasized the urgent importance of sustained diplomatic efforts, stressing that Lebanon desperately needs stability, recovery, and safe conditions for civilians to rebuild their lives. UN agencies and UNIFIL have also expressed growing concern over continued violence near peacekeeping areas, rising civilian casualties, and the increasing risks faced by humanitarian workers and peacekeepers.

Thimar’s Response

Many displaced families still cannot return to their homes. For countless households, the question is no longer simply whether their homes remain standing, but whether those homes can once again offer the safety, stability, and peace they once represented.

In response to these continuing challenges, MERATH (Middle East Revive and Thrive), the relief and development arm of Thimar-LSESD, remains actively engaged in supporting displaced individuals and vulnerable families across multiple regions in Lebanon. Through a network of 13 partner churches and local communities, MERATH continues to provide essential assistance and practical support to those living in temporary shelters or unstable conditions.

As the crisis persists, humanitarian needs remain immense and, in many areas, continue to grow. Prolonged displacement is placing increasing pressure on already vulnerable households, particularly families facing financial hardship, emotional fatigue, and deep uncertainty about the future. In light of these escalating needs, MERATH has recently placed additional orders for basic necessities to continue supporting affected communities. Through these ongoing relief efforts, MERATH seeks not only to meet urgent practical needs, but also to remind struggling families and communities that they are not alone during this deeply fragile season in Lebanon.

Heavenly Father,

This Sunday, we lift Lebanon into Your loving hands once again. You see every weary heart, every anxious thought, and every family longing for peace to finally return to this land. Lord, as the country approaches another decisive moment and ongoing developments continue to unfold, we pray that this season would not lead to greater fear or uncertainty, but instead become the beginning of renewed hope for Lebanon and its people.

We pray for displaced families who long to return home. For those separated from the places they love, may they soon return to spaces where peace replaces fear, where homes no longer tremble with uncertainty, and where safety, dignity, and stability can be restored once again. We pray over Lebanon, asking that the constant sounds of drones, strikes, and unrest would quiet down. Let the skies over Lebanon carry peace instead of fear.

Strengthen every family carrying emotional, financial, and physical burdens. Comfort the children who are growing up under the weight of uncertainty and fear. Give wisdom to leaders, protection to civilians, endurance to those serving others, and peace to hearts overwhelmed by anxiety and exhaustion.

May Lebanon once again become a place where laughter fills homes, where communities rebuild together, and where people can dream about tomorrow without fear.

Father, amid the heaviness of war and uncertainty, teach us not to lose sight of gratitude. Remind us that even in seasons of sorrow, You remain worthy of praise. A few weeks ago, Thimar team members came together to translate and record an Arabic worship song declaring “Hallelujah” in the middle of hardship. Through this worship piece, they chose to lift their eyes toward You despite the instability surrounding them, proclaiming that Your goodness and faithfulness remain unchanged even in difficult days.

Help us continue to worship with sincere hearts, trusting that Your presence is never absent in seasons of fear or uncertainty. May songs of faith rise louder than anxiety, and may hope continue to grow in places that feel weary and broken.

In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,
Amen.

We invite you to join us in worship through this special Arabic song recorded by members of the Thimar team. May this worship piece encourage weary hearts to continue fixing their eyes on the Lord, the true source of peace, hope, and strength. Click here to listen to the song and worship alongside us.

Lebanon’s growing mental health crisis cannot be separated from the country’s ongoing economic hardship and security instability. Recent UN updates warn that conflict and displacement are pushing nearly one quarter of the population into acute food insecurity, further deepening the strain on already vulnerable families.

For many households, anxiety is no longer centered solely around physical safety, but also around whether basic daily needs can still be met such as food, rent, electricity, transportation, medication, and healthcare. Under such prolonged pressure, emotional wellbeing is being profoundly affected, particularly among parents, children, displaced families, and individuals already living with limited resources. Recent research on Lebanon’s economic crisis further highlights the strong connection between financial hardship and rising levels of anxiety and depression among Lebanese adults, underscoring how deeply economic instability shapes emotional and mental health.

Thimar’s Response

As mental health concerns continue to rise across Lebanon amid ongoing instability, economic pressure, and the emotional toll of war, Dar Manhal Al Hayat (DMAH), Thimar’s publishing arm, continues to make mental health resources available to individuals and families seeking emotional support, healing, and hope during these difficult times. Through books and awareness initiatives centered on emotional wellbeing and resilience, DMAH seeks to create safe spaces for honest conversations surrounding mental and emotional health.

At a time when many families are navigating fear, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion, DMAH is resharing these resources and encouraging conversations around mental health as a reminder that emotional wellbeing remains deeply important and should not be overlooked during seasons of crisis. One reader reflected on the lasting impact these resources have had on her life and family:

“When I first read the book, I felt as though the author was speaking directly to me. Its message resonated deeply with my personal struggles and encouraged me to share what I was learning with my husband and son. Through it, I began to value myself differently and to care more intentionally for my mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It even inspired our family to pursue healthier habits together. Then, as war broke out again in late February and we entered another difficult season marked by stress, exhaustion, and rejection from our families because of our faith, I often found myself returning to the truths and practices I had learned through these books and trainings. In moments when peace felt distant, they reminded us of the importance of protecting our mental and spiritual health and helped us hold on with hope and resilience through the hardships we continue to face.”

Through this initiative, DMAH hopes to continue reminding individuals and families that they are not alone in their struggles, and that emotional support, healing, and hope remain essential, especially during seasons of crisis and uncertainty.

As emotional exhaustion and uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on families across Lebanon, we invite you to pray for those who may be silently struggling with fear, anxiety, grief, loneliness, and hopelessness during this difficult season. Pray that individuals and families would find strength, support, and renewed hope amid the ongoing instability, and that resources centered on emotional and spiritual healing would continue to reach those who need encouragement most.

Humanitarian concerns across Lebanon continue to intensify as the ongoing conflict further deepens the country’s economic crisis. Rising fuel prices, shortages, inflation, damaged infrastructure, and slowing businesses are placing increasing strain on daily life in Beirut and surrounding areas. At the same time, many displaced families remain unable to return home safely, prolonging uncertainty and instability for thousands of households.

Politically, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reiterated that Lebanon’s position in the current negotiations remains centered on securing a full ceasefire, ensuring withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and addressing detainee and border-related issues.

Concerns are also growing within Lebanon as the current ceasefire period approaches a critical phase. Many analysts warn that failure in ongoing negotiations could once again trigger broader escalation, further increasing fears among families already living under prolonged uncertainty. The drones over Beirut and attacks in the south remind us daily that this is a fragile situation.

Thimar’s Response:

Motherhood has always carried both beauty and burden, but during seasons of crisis, the weight often becomes even heavier. Every mother carries quiet concerns for her children — their safety, emotional wellbeing, and future. In times of instability, mothers often become the steady presence within their families, offering comfort and reassurance while carrying exhaustion and worry themselves. Among them are mothers of children who require inclusive education and specialized support, whose daily lives involve additional layers of advocacy, patience, care, and resilience. Their strength is often quiet, yet deeply profound.

Through the Parent2Parent program at SKILD, we recently held a meaningful and heartfelt gathering with the mothers of our students. Together, we reflected on the many “badges” mothers often carry: responsibility, sacrifice, fear, strength, and perseverance. Yet throughout the discussion, we were reminded of a deeper truth: our identity is not defined by our struggles, but by the way God sees us. Each mother carries unique strengths, challenges, and God-given gifts, and together they reflect remarkable beauty and resilience. We spoke about being deeply loved, fearfully and wonderfully made, and how God continues to sustain and carry us with grace, even in moments of weakness and uncertainty.

As Lebanon continues to navigate ongoing instability, we ask you to keep the mothers of this region in your prayers. Pray for the women who wake each day carrying concern for their families while still finding the strength to offer love, stability, and comfort to their children. Pray especially for mothers of children with special needs, who often face additional emotional, physical, and financial pressures as they work to create safe and nurturing environments for their families. May they be continually reminded that they are seen by God, deeply valued, and never forgotten. And amid the fear, stress, and unpredictability surrounding Lebanon, may they experience renewed hope, peace, strength, and endurance for each new day.

Home is more than walls and ceilings. It is the place where daily life unfolds, where families gather, children grow, conversations happen, and memories are formed over time. It holds routines, challenges, celebrations, and moments of rest. Home provides stability, familiarity, and a sense of belonging.

Yet today in Lebanon, that sense of home has become increasingly fragile for thousands of families. Over 5,300 housing units have reportedly been completely destroyed since the current ceasefire period began, with another 5,200+ damaged. Entire neighborhoods in southern Lebanon have been bulldozed or left uninhabitable, as human rights groups and journalists describe parts of the border region as turning into a “buffer zone” where normal life can no longer resume.

Thimar’s Response:

Although many families remain displaced, students at Beirut Baptist School continue arriving faithfully to school each morning. Yet the stress they carry is visible. For a child, home is not simply a structure that remains standing; it is the feeling of safety connected to it. When nearby streets feel unsafe and uncertainty becomes part of daily life, that sense of security is deeply affected.

The school witnesses the emotional impact this reality has on families and children every day. As part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the school dedicated time to raising awareness, encouraging conversations around emotional well-being, and supporting students as they navigate ongoing stress and uncertainty.

At the same time, another burden weighs heavily on many students, especially 12th graders. Anxiety continues to grow around the uncertainty of the official governmental exams: whether they will proceed on schedule, be postponed, or be canceled altogether. With graduation approaching, many students are carrying the pressure of preparing for their future while living through continued instability.

Please pray with us:

That God may grant wisdom, discernment, and strength to political leaders and decision-makers during this critical time.
That the Lord may restore what has been broken, and that new homes may one day rise again — homes once again filled with peace, stability, and joyful memories.
That the anxiety weighing on students and children may lessen, and that they may find comfort, resilience, and hope in the midst of uncertainty.
Pray that students may continue their education with perseverance, approach their official exams with confidence, and move toward hopeful and promising futures.

As Lebanon approaches the expiration of the current ceasefire period, tensions across the country remain deeply fragile. Today, several strikes were reported once again, with seven vehicles targeted, including attacks along the Jiyyeh highway south of Beirut, as well as in Jiyyeh, Barja, and Saadiyat. These incidents continue to reinforce a painful reality for many families: uncertainty, fear, and instability remain woven into daily life, particularly amid ongoing evacuation threats and continued violence affecting border communities.

At the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS), our guesthouse continues to welcome 80 individuals who are still unable to return home, as several villages in southern border areas remain under attack. In the midst of these challenges, the Salt and Light team continues to serve children staying with their families at the guesthouse through social-emotional activities designed to help them recognize, express, and process their emotions in healthy and supportive ways.

At the same time, national attention is turning toward the negotiations scheduled to begin tomorrow in Washington between Lebanese and Israeli delegations under U.S. mediation. These discussions are expected to address the future of the ceasefire, border and security arrangements, reconstruction efforts, and the safe return of displaced civilians to their homes.

In light of these negotiations, we invite you to pray for wisdom, discernment, and integrity among all leaders and parties involved. Pray that tensions within the country would not escalate further, and that decisions would be guided by responsibility, justice, and a genuine concern for human life and regional stability. Please also continue to pray for the people of Lebanon, many of whom are carrying immense emotional, financial, and physical burdens after months of ongoing uncertainty and conflict.

May this sensitive and pivotal period lead toward greater protection for civilians, restoration for affected communities, and meaningful steps toward a more secure, stable, and peaceful future for Lebanon.

As the situation in Lebanon remains tense, humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations and UNICEF, are raising urgent concerns about the growing mental and emotional toll on children across the country. UNICEF has described the situation as one of “devastating mental and emotional exhaustion,” noting that many children are enduring repeated displacement within very short periods of time. Violence persists and countless children are once again reliving previous trauma while facing renewed airstrikes, uncertainty, and fear about the future.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also reported new waves of displacement in southern Lebanon following renewed airstrikes and evacuation orders. Families are once again being forced to flee their homes in search of safety, while shelters and public schools are increasingly overcrowded and stretched beyond capacity. UN Women has also highlighted the escalating mental health crisis among displaced women and mothers in Lebanon, describing an environment where people “hear, see, and feel pain constantly.” Many mothers are carrying the dual burden of managing their own trauma while trying to emotionally support their children amid ongoing instability and repeated displacement.

Thimar’s Response

In light of the growing emotional and psychological strain affecting families across Lebanon, Dar Manhal al Hayat (DMAH), Thimar’s publishing ministry, continues to prioritize initiatives that bring encouragement, healing, and hope. As part of Thimar’s Lebanon Emergency Relief Response, DMAH is distributing free Christian books and resources to displaced children and parents, offering comfort in a season marked by instability and loss.

We invite you to join us in prayer for the children and families across Lebanon who continue to live under fear, uncertainty, and displacement. Pray that God would bring peace and emotional healing to those carrying trauma, strengthen parents and caregivers, and grant wisdom and endurance to those serving affected communities. We also ask for prayer that these resources become a source of comfort, hope, and restoration in this difficult season.

A wave of drone strikes and air raids across southern Lebanon and areas near Beirut has become part of daily life, deepening fears of further escalation across the country. At the same time, diplomatic attention is turning toward the upcoming U.S.-mediated talks scheduled for May 14–15 in Washington, which many hope could help ease tensions.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Hundreds of thousands of families remain displaced across Lebanon, with many still unable to safely return to their homes. Schools and public shelters are under immense pressure as communities struggle to adapt to ongoing uncertainty. As of April 2026, more than 339 schools across Lebanon remain closed due to the war, while approximately 431 educational institutions, primarily public schools, have been repurposed as shelters for displaced families, disrupting the education of more than 250,000 children. This prolonged disruption has added another layer of instability to children’s lives, especially for those already coping with repeated displacement and trauma.

The economic impact of the crisis is also intensifying. Inflation continues to rise as transportation routes remain disrupted, fuel prices fluctuate, and the cost of imported goods increases. Essential items such as food, medicine, and household necessities are becoming increasingly unaffordable for vulnerable families, further straining those living in temporary shelters or relying on relatives for support.

Thimar’s Response

Amid the ongoing uncertainty, stress, and instability, children continue to carry a heavy emotional burden, including many students at Beirut Baptist School, most of whom have had to evacuate at some point during the war. Several families remain displaced from their homes, forcing students to adjust to new living arrangements with relatives or in temporary apartments. Yet despite these challenges, the students continue to show remarkable resilience by attending school and engaging in daily activities that help restore a sense of normalcy and safety.

As part of their social-emotional learning sessions, students focused on identifying, understanding, and expressing their emotions in healthy ways. Through interactive activities, they explored different feelings by acting them out and translating digital icons into real-life facial expressions and reactions. By putting their acting skills to the test, our preschoolers strengthened their affective communication skills while learning to express themselves clearly and confidently, an especially important skill while living in a high-stress environment.

Beyond the laughter and creativity filling the classroom, these moments serve as important tools for emotional healing, helping children process uncertainty while also allowing them the simple joy of being children again. With each passing day, these sessions become even more essential. The emotional burden carried by children living under uncertainty, displacement, and fear continues to grow, highlighting the urgent need for safe spaces where they can express themselves, regain a sense of stability, and experience childhood with dignity and hope.

Please join us in prayer for Lebanon during this fragile season, that peace would prevail over fear, stability would replace uncertainty, and wisdom would guide those making decisions for the future of the country. We also ask for prayer over the children of Lebanon, that they would continue to find safety, healing, and hope despite the challenges surrounding them. May this generation grow with resilience, compassion, and the opportunity to one day help rebuild a stronger and more peaceful nation.

A Prayer for Lebanon

Heavenly Father, we come this Sunday with heavy hearts, lifting up our beloved Lebanon to Your throne of grace. In a season where peace feels distant and the ground beneath us feels unsteady, we cling to the truth that You are our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

Lord, we bring before You the weary hands and hearts of the teams at Thimar-LSESD. Grant us the wisdom to navigate each day’s logistics with a clarity that only comes from You.

We pray specifically for the internally displaced people scattered across this land, families who have been uprooted, leaving behind the walls that held their memories and the soil that sustained their lives. For those living in makeshift shelters and crowded spaces, we ask for Your divine provision. Lord, meet them in their displacement; be the comfort for the children who are frightened by sounds they should never have to hear, and the strength for the adults carrying the crushing weight of responsibility and loss.

Father, we lay the collective stress and uncertainty of our nation at Your feet. From the youngest child to the eldest among us, the tension has settled deep within our bones. We pray for those who have lost everything, homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. In the void of that loss, may Your presence be a tangible source of solace.

Grant us the grace to face the unknown without being consumed by fear. Steady our hearts when the news is grim and remind us that no matter how loud the world becomes, Your voice still speaks peace. May our work through these ministries be a beacon of Your light, reaching into the darkest corners of this crisis to remind every person that they are seen, they are loved, and they are valued.

In the name of the One who walked through the storm,

Amen.

Click here for a hymn that the Thimar team recorded during the last war. This was the same day the ceasefire was announced back then. It is a powerful reminder that it is Christ who sustains, strengthens, and works through us, despite our shortcomings and the overwhelming needs.    

It has been 22 days since a fragile ceasefire was announced, yet Lebanon’s landscape remains marked by profound loss, lingering tension, and nonstop airstrikes especially in the south. By early May, estimates indicate that approximately 50 to 70 villages across the south of Lebanon have been severely impacted by bombardment. In border villages such as Kfar Kila, the destruction is nearly total with over 90% of the villages demolished, leaving families with no homes, and no businesses, to return to.

In Beirut, the atmosphere remains heavy under the psychological weight of the conflict. The persistent buzz of drones continues day and night, serving as a constant reminder of the fragile security situation.

Thimar’s Response

Our inclusive education ministry, SKILD, continues to provide critical psychological and developmental support to students with special needs, even as the security situation disrupts traditional learning. While one of our partner schools in Beirut has not yet returned to in-person instruction due to security tensions near its campus, our commitment to these students remains unwavering.

The SKILD team is currently providing specialized online support to 32 students from this partner school, with the strong belief of leaving no child behind in this war. Although the absence of a structured, in-person school environment presents a significant challenge, particularly for children who depend on consistency, our therapists and staff have adapted their approaches to ensure that each student continues to receive the care they need. By bridging the gap through virtual sessions, we are maintaining a vital lifeline for these families and helping preserve the progress made in each child’s developmental journey despite the crisis.

We lift up the families in the south who have seen their homes and histories reduced to rubble, especially those from the border villages. We pray for a peace that is not merely the absence of conflict, but a deep, restorative stillness.

We also ask for prayers for the SKILD team and for all the children and families being served online during this difficult season. May God grant these children resilience, peace, and the ability to continue learning despite the ongoing disruptions, and may He equip our therapists and educators with wisdom, compassion, and strength as they provide care, support, and encouragement, even through a screen.

A new round of direct negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli delegations is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on May 14–15, marking a pivotal moment in ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region. These high-level talks aim to transition the current fragile truce into a more sustainable and long-term security arrangement.

As delegations prepare for the sessions in Washington, attention remains focused on whether these discussions can provide the guarantees necessary to prevent further military escalation. The proposed security arrangements are widely seen as essential to restoring a sense of stability and normalcy for civilians across the country. However, the success of the talks will likely depend on the ability of mediators to navigate deep-rooted political and security complexities, while ensuring that the transition from a temporary cessation of hostilities to a formal and enforceable agreement is both comprehensive and sustainable.

Thimar’s Response

A significant humanitarian effort continues as MERATH (Middle East Revive and Thrive), the relief and development arm of Thimar-LSESD, provides essential support to around 12,000 individuals. This support is made possible through 13 partner churches across multiple regions in Lebanon, reaching displaced families who remain unable to return to their homes despite the mid-April ceasefire announcement. While the ceasefire offered a brief window of stability, several southern villages and towns remain under fire forcing families to stay behind in their temporary shelters. Recent security developments have reinforced this caution, gradually replacing the initial hope brought by the ceasefire with a renewed sense of ongoing uncertainty and emotional strain.

For many families, daily life continues to be defined by uncertainty, holding onto hope for a lasting resolution while living with the constant fear of sudden escalation. Recent strikes in the capital and ongoing evacuation orders in the south continue to highlight the fragility of the current situation. In response, partners and local churches are providing not only physical relief, but also a steady and compassionate presence for those navigating life hour by hour under the weight of possible further displacement.

The situation remains deeply difficult. We invite you to join us in prayer for those living through this season of uncertainty and transition:

• For wisdom for world leaders as they pursue a just and lasting peace in the region.
• For protection over families and children, that they may find safety and refuge amidst ongoing unrest.
• For peace for those carrying the heavy burden of uncertainty and fear of the unknown.
• For strength to persevere in the work of relief and care, even when the path ahead remains unclear.
• For the restoration of everyday life, where education, joy, stability, and the comfort of community can flourish once again.

A significant escalation took place in Beirut’s southern suburbs yesterday night, marking the first strike on the capital Beirut since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire began in mid-April. In the aftermath of the explosion, many residents who had cautiously returned to their homes at the start of the ceasefire were once again seen fleeing the area. Several families sought temporary shelter in central Beirut amid growing uncertainty about what daily life will look like in the days ahead. Alongside the Beirut strike, intensified military activity was also reported in southern Lebanon, including evacuation orders for 12 additional villages and separate strikes in other villages. Overall, this strike is being viewed as a major development, signaling a shift in the “rules of engagement” that had largely kept the capital outside the line of fire during the past three weeks.

Thimar’s Response

 During one of the sessions that Salt and Light is hosting with displaced children, we explored the theme “From Broken to Beautiful,” reflecting on how God brings beauty from ashes. We shared with the children how life’s hardships can often leave us feeling broken, yet it is through these very moments that His light shines most clearly. Using glowsticks as an illustration, the children discovered that the snap required to produce light mirrors the way God works through our brokenness, bringing healing, hope, and beauty out of our deepest trials.

Many of these children and their families have been suddenly displaced from their homes and are now finding temporary refuge at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary as they navigate the immense stress and uncertainty caused by the ongoing war. This teaching offered more than a momentary distraction; it provided a meaningful framework through which the children could begin to process their experiences and anchor their identity in a love that remains constant even when everything around them feels unstable. By learning to lean on God’s presence during this season, they are developing a deeper spiritual resilience, discovering how to face hardship not through their own strength alone, but through reliance on the One who restores and sustains them.

We invite you to join us in prayer for the families seeking refuge at the seminary and for the children carrying the heavy burden of displacement. Please pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, would guard their hearts and minds as they endure these sudden and overwhelming trials. We also ask for prayer as we continue our ministry, that we may remain a steady source of comfort, encouragement, and light, and that these children would grow in a deep and unshakable reliance on the Lord through every season of their lives.

The fragile ceasefire continues to be tested by near-daily tactical strikes, even as domestic political leaders attempt to present a rare united front in an effort to prevent further internal instability. At the same time, Lebanon’s economic strain has intensified markedly over recent months, driven by the dual pressures of regional conflict and newly introduced domestic fiscal measures.

The ongoing conflict in the Gulf has further disrupted global supply chains. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced importers to rely on longer, more costly shipping routes, the costs that have inevitably trickled down to consumers. Consequently, prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages have surged by nearly 20%. This sharp increase is largely attributed to Lebanon’s heavy dependence on imports, compounded by rising costs of fertilizers and transportation. Bread prices, in particular, rose by 15% at the beginning of April 2026, placing additional strain on already burdened households.

Thimar’s Response

The halls of Beirut Baptist School (BBS) are once again filled with the voices of students, as the school officially resumes full in-person learning. Following an extended period of hybrid schedules and remote instruction, this transition marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing a stable and nurturing environment for our students.

Teachers and the school leadership are actively working to help students deal with the anxiety and stress caused by the war. Living through heightened tensions in Beirut, particularly for students residing just moments away from the school, has left a lasting impact. For many, returning to school is not simply about catching up academically; it also involves navigating the realities of trauma, including symptoms of PTSD and ongoing stress.

This has been an exceptionally challenging season for the BBS community. Still, amid the uncertainty and distress, there are signs of quiet transformation. Many students are learning to lean on their faith in new and profound ways. While the world around them remains unstable, they are beginning to anchor their hope in something deeper and more enduring.

We humbly ask for your continued prayers for both our staff and students as we navigate this critical transition. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve as a light in Beirut, not only as an educational institution, but as a sanctuary of peace and a source of hope for every child who walks through our doors.

Lebanon Update

Lebanon remains in a difficult and uncertain situation. Heavy fighting continues in South Lebanon, and while Beirut has not seen recent hits, people are living in constant anticipation of what might come next.

The pressure is not only security-related. The economic situation is growing more dire by the day. Inflation is soaring, and many are quickly losing the ability to afford even the most basic necessities.

This instability is affecting every part of daily life. Schools are operating online, but learning has become increasingly difficult. Students are struggling to focus, especially those who have been displaced or are living in overcrowded homes, either hosting others or being hosted themselves.

Teachers, working from home, are facing the same challenges, trying to continue teaching while navigating the same uncertainty.

Parents are carrying a deep sense of uncertainty. Many know that even if the war ends, they may not have homes to return to. Families are being forced to make difficult decisions, often reconsidering education in order to meet basic daily needs.

Focus is fading. Sleep is scarce. Mercy feels distant.

Thimar Update

A heavy message reached Beirut Baptist School recently. A student shared that they would not be able to attend their online classes, not because of connectivity issues, but because they had been told to evacuate their home.

They left in haste, taking only what they could carry. With nowhere else to go, they found themselves sitting in their car, waiting for things to calm down, hoping for a place where they could stay safely. In that moment, attending class was no longer possible. Safety came first.

This story is not an isolated one.

Across our community, families are navigating sudden disruption. Books are left behind. Routines are interrupted. Familiar spaces are exchanged for uncertainty and constant movement. What once felt stable now feels fragile.

Within the BBS community alone, several families have had relatives injured in the most recent strike on Beirut, and many others have had their homes or cars damaged.

The situation is dire.

The partnership between MERATH and the local evangelical Church has long been a pillar of hope, defined by an unwavering presence in every crisis. For years, they have served the community without distinction, managing the logistical weight of massive distributions, and treating every individual with dignity. When families began fleeing the South on that first night of displacement, the Church was the first to respond, and their response was immediate by providing mattresses and blankets before the sun had even risen.