Eastern Bedawi Bedouin in Egypt
The Bedouin fall into two basic social classes. One class is known as the “true” Bedouin, and they live as nomadic shepherds. The other group has embraced farming and is known as the fellahin. The fellahin lead a more settled life on the edge of the desert. In contrast, the “true” Bedouin have been known for raiding any caravans that cross their path while journeying across barren deserts. They move into the desert during the rainy winter seasons and back to the desert’s edge during the hot, dry summers. They speak Badawi, or as it is more commonly called, Bedouin Arabic.
Islam has greatly influenced the lives of the Bedouin. For example, to preserve their people, the Bedouin are only allowed to marry those inside their own group. Also, the society is patrilineal, which means that inheritances are passed down through the males.
What Are Their Needs?
According to Islamic law, a Muslim who professes faith in Jesus Christ could be put to death. Perhaps this explains why there are so few known Bedouin believers in Israel at the present time.
Evangelization efforts among the Bedouin are challenging due to the harsh and unsettled nature of their lifestyle. Missionaries who are able to endure the severe conditions of the Negev Desert are needed.
Prayer Points
Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to reach out and share the love of Christ with them.
Pray that God will raise up faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Bedouin.
Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the few known Christian Bedouin living in Israel.
Pray that their traditional Muslim culture will soften, creating open doors for the Gospel to be preached among them.
Ask the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of the Bedouin Arabs towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local fellowships of believers among the Bedouin.
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.
According to Your Word in Psalm 56:8: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book,”
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Read“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:38)
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ReadYour Word says, “The greatest among you must be a servant.” (Matthew 23:11).
Read“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you.” (Isaiah 60:1)
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ReadIn Malachi 4:2 it declares, “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.”
ReadIn Malachi 3:1, You have declared, “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.
ReadIn Zechariah 6:12 You speak of Your Son Jesus, saying, “Here is the man whose name is the Branch; He will branch out from His place and build the temple of the Lord.”
ReadIn Zechariah 3:8, You said, “I am going to bring my servant.” Fulfill this in our day, we pray, through “Titus.”
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ReadWe thank You for Isaiah 53:2, which declares that You “grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.”
ReadThe prophet Isaiah declares in Isaiah 42:1: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.”
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ReadYou promised in Isaiah 11:1 that “a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit,” and so we ask for generational fruit to begin with the labor of “Dorcas.”
ReadWe remember the words from Isaiah 9:6–7: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.”
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ReadPsalm 22:9–10 declares, “You brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust You at my mother’s breast.”
ReadAccording to Psalm 8:4–6, “What are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?
ReadPsalm 2:7 says, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father,” and this beautifully describes the relationship that You have as a Heavenly Father with Your Son Jesus, our Messiah.
ReadIn 2 Samuel 7:12–13, You said, “I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong.”
ReadAccording to Your Word in Deuteronomy 18:15, You have promised to raise up a prophet from among the people—from among their fellow Israelites.
ReadIn Numbers 24:17, we read that “a star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.”
ReadIn Genesis 22:18, You declared to Abraham that “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
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ReadIn Revelation 5:12, we learn this phrase: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and honor and glory.”
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