Iraq: Nation and Church

PRAY FOR THE CRISIS SITUATION IN IRAQ

• Pray that the violence in Iraq stops
• Tens of thousands of families have fled; they’re desperate and afraid
• Give thanks for the churches, monasteries and families that help the refugees
• Pray that there will be enough water, food and medicines
• Pray for refugees who still live on the streets or in the desert
• The handicapped, sick people and elderly couldn’t flee; IS (Islamic State) forces them to convert to Islam
• Thousands of Yazidi refugees and others who are stranded without water or food
• Pray for protection for the vulnerable children
• Pray for people who have lost family members or been injured
• Pray for women who have been raped by IS fighters

  PRAY FOR ISIS, LEADERS AND POLITICIANS

  • Pray for a miracle: that IS fighters realise how much misery they cause and stop their battle

  • Pray that IS will have their eyes opened by God to their actions and to the gospel
  • Pray that the accretion of IS fighters and weapons from abroad stops
  • Children of IS sympathisers are given weapons at a young age and are being exposed to intense hate rhetoric
  • Different parties are influencing the conflict: pray for the Iraqi government and their army, the Kurdish leaders and their troops, the United States
  • Pray that the international community receives wisdom to know how to respond to this crisis
  • A spiritual battle is taking place; pray that Christians around the world join this battle in prayer

    PRAY FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH IN IRAQ

    • Pray for the preservation and the future of the church in Iraq; once there were 1.2 million Christians, now there are around 200,000

• Pray for strength and wisdom for church leaders and pastors in encouraging their church members and providing help to others
• Give thanks the church has the opportunity to love the broken and share the gospel
• The team of Open Doors in Iraq is going through challenging times. Pray for faith, wisdom, endurance and guidance by the Holy Spirit
• Pray Iraqi Christians dare to believe there is a future for them and the gospel in their country
• Give thanks for the support Christians receive from local Islamic and Kurdish leaders
• Pray that Christians in Iraq are proud to be followers of Jesus Christ
• Source: odaustralia@od.org / youthau@od.org www.opendoors.org.au / www.opendoorsyouth.org.au