Middle East: Children and the tragic circumstances of war

This is the prayer of one young Egyptian boy, that he prayed when he called on of the Christian television stations’ children programme.

“We thank you for extending your glory to everything in our lives, Lord…

We pray for Iraq and all the Arab countries, they’re in your hand, Lord. Let there be peace and forgiveness, oh Lord, in terms of those who are doing bombings. Watch over the innocent people…

Even those killing others, you love them very much. You wait for them that they may come back to you again, oh Lord.

Lord Jesus, you said, ‘Come to me, you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Yes, Lord. May we come back to you in everything, Lord Jesus.

Whether it be a small problem or a big problem, whether it be among nations or something material, or anything. If it be household problems, you will be glorified, Lord Jesus.

I thank you for hearing and answering us. Amen.”

The prayer, which came at a time when many Christian leaders throughout the world are asking for prayer for the Middle East. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) calls on the global Church to “pray for Christians and other minorities who are being persecuted by militant Islamists in Iraq.”

The WEA also calls on the international community to “intervene in light of the continuous and ever-increasing violent attacks on and targeted killing of Christians and others in recent weeks.”

Station managers report that the takeover of several Iraqi towns by the extremist group ISIS has been devastating in recent weeks. “Children in particular are sensitive to such tragedies,” they said.