Pray for Libya
The ruins of a great Roman city on the coast of Libya.
Photo: joepyrek from Richmond, Va, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Libya
The capital is Tripoli. People speak Arabic, with Amazigh (Berber) languages also spoken. The largest faith is Islam.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Libya
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
On 30 August UN-backed talks between the rival bodies of the west and east agreed to rebuild the national elections commission and to hold elections within 24 months. The House of Representatives endorsed it on 14 September, while the High Council of State reportedly rejected it. Clashes in Zawiya and Sorman in early August killed civilians, and in September an armed group closed a valve on the Sharara oil pipeline, cutting output. Reports say heavy rain in Tripoli in mid October killed two people.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Libya remains divided between rival authorities in the west and the east. The head of the Presidential Council is Mohamed al-Menfi. In Tripoli, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh leads the Government of National Unity, which the UN recognises as interim, while Osama Hammad leads the eastern Government of National Stability. National elections have still not been held. In August the two sides reached an initial agreement on the electoral system, and on 7 October the House of Representatives voted to end Aguila Saleh's role as speaker.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
Oil and gas make up about 65% of the economy and about 93% of exports. After a rebound of about 13% in 2025, the World Bank expects growth of about 4.5% in 2026. The UN reports a fiscal deficit, cash shortages and pressure on the dinar, and oil output dipped in early 2026 because of disruptions. Only about 14% of workers are in the private sector.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
Most Libyans are of Arab or Berber (Amazigh) descent, and society is shaped by tribe and family. The UN counts about 749,000 migrants in Libya, many from sub-Saharan Africa, who face detention, abuse and extortion. About 566,000 Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers are also in the country, many with little freedom to move or work.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About 97% of people in Libya are Muslim, almost all Sunni, with some Ibadi Muslims among the Amazigh. Christians were about 3% in 2020. Most Christians are migrants and foreign workers, including Egyptian Copts and sub-Saharan Africans, and Libyan believers from a Muslim background are very few and mostly worship in secret.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
Islam is the state religion and Sharia is the main source of law. Open Doors ranked Libya fourth on its 2025 World Watch List and reports that Libyans may not attend the official churches, bringing in Arabic Bibles is forbidden, and Christians have been arrested on blasphemy charges for sharing material online. Migrant Christians face added danger from armed and criminal groups.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
Italy invaded in 1911, and its campaign in Cyrenaica cost many lives. Libya became independent in 1951 under King Idris, and Muammar Gaddafi ruled from 1969 until he was overthrown and killed in 2011. Civil war followed in 2011 and again from 2014 to a ceasefire in 2020. In 2015 militants killed 21 Christian workers, most of them Egyptian Copts, and about 30 Ethiopian Christians, and in 2023 the Derna flood killed thousands.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Libya. Bring safety to those living with violence, power cuts and floods, and rescue those at sea. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to every leader in the west and the east, and lead them to agree on a peaceful way forward. Provide for every family, and grant honest stewardship of the nation's oil wealth. Protect migrants and refugees, and heal divisions between tribes and regions. Let the hope and truth of Your love reach every home. Keep believers safe and give them courage and freedom to worship. Heal the wounds of colonial rule, the Gaddafi years, war and disaster, and lead Libya in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Security Council Report: Libya, October 2026 monthly forecast (Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia: 2026 in Libya (Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia: Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (Oct 2026)
- UN Secretary-General: report on UNSMIL, Libya (Aug 2026)
- World Bank: Libya overview and outlook (2026)
- Open Doors: Libya advocacy dossier, World Watch List 2025
- Wikipedia: Libya, people, religion and history (Oct 2026)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Libya and pray along.
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