Ben Arous is a district of the nation and also a suburb of the capital, Tunis. Like Manouba and Ariana, it extends a little beyond the city limits, but it is not so distinct an area as some of the other districts. It is not a coveted place to live, and the residents have no sense of superiority; if anything, it is the opposite. As the part of the city with many factories and industrial plants, Ben Arous is populated with lower income residents. Many have moved here from areas in the country where the economy is under stress, and are in search of jobs.

Without really knowing it, these people may be “seekers.” They may not realize what they are seeking, because the good life of affluence looks like the answer… but what they seek is joy. We can pray for them to find the one who is The Way… it is only when we find and follow His Paths of Righteousness that we find that deeply satisfying joy.

Though our hearts are filled with sins, you forgive them all. What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What joys await us inside your holy Temple. You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our Savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas (Psalm 65:3-5).

Pray for the poor and marginalized. Jesus took great interest in their needs and offered them the treasure of eternal hope. Pray that His Spirit will reach into lives and draw many into the Kingdom. This is not a country with much obvious poverty, but if you scratch the surface you will find a surplus of “barely-making-it,” which results in an abundance of hopelessness.

Pray for the poor and marginalized. Jesus took great interest in their needs and offered them the treasure of eternal hope. Pray that His Spirit will reach into lives and draw many into the Kingdom. This is not a country with much obvious poverty, but if you scratch the surface you will find a surplus of “barely-making-it,” which results in an abundance of hopelessness.