Iraq
Christian-Owned Businesses Attacked
This December in the Kurdistan region of IRAQ, an imam’s Friday sermon reportedly inspired Muslims to attack local businesses, many of which were owned by Christians. Muslims chanted jihad and anti-Christian slogans during the attacks. Some area residents retaliated. Hundreds of Christian families are now afraid because of the volatile situation.
Ask God to encourage the believers and give them wisdom in how to respond. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.”
Family Threatened
An Iranian believer from a Muslim background living in IRAQ says that he and his wife receive numerous death threats. His son was beaten and called an “infidel” by a teacher. Last year his daughter was so frightened by a teacher that she stopped attending for the rest of the year. The siblings are beaten, scorned, and robbed by other children.
Ask God to give the family courage and wisdom. “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”
Convert Threatened by Landlord
A Muslim background believer in IRAQ has been threatened with increased rent and eviction by his Muslim landlord, who discovered his faith. The believer has also had to pull his daughter out of a Christian school because her government ID labels her as “Muslim.”
Ask God to encourage the family and provide a home. “And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Christians Kidnapped, Released
Three Christians were ambushed and kidnapped by Muslim gunmen on September 21 in IRAQ. They were released on September 30 after a ransom was paid.
Praise God that they have been reunited with their families! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Converts in Iraq
In Iraq, being a Christian is dangerous—but being a Christian convert from Islam takes even more courage. Compass Direct News writes, “Whereas Assyrian Iraqis are accepted as Christians by ethnic identity, Iraqi Muslims believe Arabs have no business becoming Christians; it is not possible, according to society and the constitution.”
Listen to their stories:
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Christian’s Children Discriminated Against
A pastor from a Muslim background in IRAQ is struggling because he cannot register his children with the government as Christians. In the eyes of the state, the children do not exist, and are not eligible for medical treatment or education.
Pray for wisdom for this family. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
Church bombed
A bomb exploded at a church on August 15 in IRAQ. This is the third attack against the congregation in 5 years. The pastor says, “For the sake of Jesus, even if we don’t have a building, we will keep praying.”
Pray that their love and perseverance will lead many to Christ. “And a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”
Pastor Kidnapped, Convert Attacked
A house church pastor in IRAQ was recently kidnapped by Muslims. He had helped to lead many former Muslims to Christ. Recently one of these new converts was also attacked. The Muslim background believers home was sprayed with machine gun bullets.
Pray for the release of the pastor. Ask God to give him, his family, and the Muslim background believers' courage to persevere. “Yet when they turned and cried to You, You heard from heaven, and many times You delivered them according to Your mercies.”
Car Bomb Outside Church
On August 2 in IRAQ, a car bomb exploded outside a church. Area residents and a pastor were wounded. Two other bombs targeting churches were disarmed. In the disarming process a smaller explosion broke a church’s windows. A church leader said, “We continue to witness to Jesus Christ and our Christian values; we are not afraid.”
Pray that believers will persevere. “In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I called.”
Family Forced to Flee
A nine-year-old girl in IRAQ had to flee with her family when they received a death threat in their mailbox. The letter called them “Christian dogs” and ordered them to leave in 24 hours. The family took with them what little they could. The young girl was willing to give up her toys as long as she could pack her Bible.
Praise God that the family is now in a region that is relatively safer. “...He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Christian Tortured, Beheaded
A Christian in IRAQ was kidnapped and beheaded in May by suspected Islamic terrorists. His body showed signs of gruesome torture. Before his death, his employer was reportedly told to fire him because he was a Christian.
Ask God to comfort his widow and three children. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
A Young Girl’s Courageous Decision
Recently I read a story published by Open Doors about a 9-year-old girl in Iraq whose family was forced to flee from their home after receiving a death threat in their mailbox. The letter called them “Christian dogs” and told them they had to leave in 24 hours or else their house would be bombed.
Church Bombed
On April 11 in IRAQ, a religious edict declared, “It is permissible to spill the blood of the Iraqi Christians and a duty to wage jihad against them.” On Easter Sunday, a bomb outside a church injured seven people.
Ask God to protect Iraqi Christians and guard the church from fear. “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the stead- fastness of Christ.”
Believers Return to Dangerous Home
Hundreds of thousands of Christians have fled IRAQ, where they face persecution from Muslims. Worsening conditions in Libya, Syria, and Jordan have forced some refugees to flee back to Iraq, despite the danger in their homeland. Ask God to encourage and protect them.
Pray that He will provide the food and resources that the Church in Iraq needs. “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling.”
Believer Stabbed to Death
In IRAQ, armed men broke into the home of a 70-year old Christian and stabbed him to death. They belong to an extremist group that targets Christians. After murdering him, they stole nothing and left. Believers fear continued violence in Baghdad, the city where the attack occurred.
Ask God to encourage Iraqi Christians and calm their fears. “Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail…”
Christian Shot at Work
In IRAQ, where Islamic violence frequently targets Christians, a believer was shot at work on January 15. He survived, but with serious injuries.
Pray for his recovery and for strength for him and his family. “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death."
Families Threatened, Killed
A Christian family in IRAQ heard a knock on their door in the night, and when they opened it they found a dead bird nailed to the door. When another Christian couple answered their door, a bomb left on their doorstep killed them instantly. Other homes of believers have also been targeted. Christians in Iraq face continual threats from Muslims.
Ask God to comfort these families and many others like them. “...for I am with you…”
Church Bombed
Early on New Years’ Day in EGYPT, a car bomb exploded outside a church, killing 21 and injuring more than 90. After the explosion, Muslims recited Islamic chants while stepping on human remains. Police reportedly prevented some of the injured from going to the hospital and called the Christians “a bunch of dogs.”
Ask God to comfort the grieving and heal the wounded. “...care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”
Believers Forced into Exile
UPDATE: Believers continue to be driven out of IRAQ, leaving some regions almost empty of Christians. Those who remain often cannot go to work, church, or school. Those who leave cannot sell or rent their houses because Islamic terrorists will claim the property and steal the rent or threaten any buyers.
Ask God to comfort and provide for our brethren in Iraq. “...but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions…”
Amazing Story of Iraqi Pastor
If you follow along with the daily prayer request in the prayer guide, you may remember that a Baghdad congregation was held hostage on November 1st of last year. Forty-one Christians were killed, and many more injured. Since then, many believers have fled Iraq. But what is happening to those who remain?
How a pastor in Baghdad responds to persecution
This story is....wow. Lord, give me a heart to pray for boldness. Open my eyes to your Sovereign nature. Teach me to trust your Word.
Amen.
excerpt from Ron Brackin's story "A Pastor in Baghdad"
Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
Christian and Daughter Killed
In Mosul, IRAQ, where Islamic violence is targeting Christians, a car bomb killed a believer and his 6-year-old daughter.
Ask God to comfort their family. “...be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus…”
Christian Brothers Shot
Muslims continue their effort to drive Christians out of IRAQ. On November 22, gunmen broke into a shop in Mosul owned by Christian brothers and shot them to death.
Ask God to shield Christians in Iraq from the continued waves of violence. “If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him….”
Christians' Homes Attacked
UPDATE: Violence against Christians continues in Baghdad, IRAQ. Explosives targeting Christians’ homes killed 5 believers and injured at least 30. Another was shot outside his apartment. Many have fled the city.
Ask God for provision for refugees and protection for believers who remain. “...the grace of our Lord overflowed for me...”
Christmas Threat in Iraq
During the week of Christmas, Islamic groups repeated their threats against churches in Iraq. Congregations in Baghdad, Mosul, and Kirkuk canceled all services after dark during the Christmas season and have decided not to put up Christmas decorations. Some have resorted to airport-style security at their entrances. Since the October 31 attack on a church in Baghdad, an estimated 1,000 Christian families have fled from the cities of Baghdad and Mosul alone.
