The following is a prayer request from Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). GCI is an NAE member.
Dear fellow Christian,
In the last few weeks, thousands of Christians have been forced by militant rule to flee their homes in northern Iraq. The United States has authorized air strikes and humanitarian aid airdrops in Iraq. The United Nations has condemned militant actions and is urging a coordinated response. Stories of the persecution of Christians and other minorities in Iraq, Egypt, Syria and other areas in the Middle East continue to fill the media. Please join me and other Christians around the world in praying for peaceful resolution and relief for those caught in the violence and persecution.
Prayer Events
- The World Evangelical Alliance is organizing a prayer gathering for the Middle East at the International Salvation Army Headquarters in New York City at 5:30 pm on August 14.
- Encourage your church to set aside time in this Sunday’s service to pray as a congregation for Iraq.
Prayer Points
- Pray for President Obama and his advisors as they consider where and how to provide humanitarian assistance and military intervention in Iraq.
- Pray for safety for Christians and other minorities in Iraq who are fleeing violence and persecution. Pray that they would find safe harbor.
- Pray for comfort for those across the Middle East who have lost loved ones and have suffered traumatic violence.
- Pray for missionaries and humanitarian aid workers who serve in difficult and violent corners of the world, that they will be kept safe, and that their efforts will contribute to a fuller realization of the peace and prosperity that God intends for all.
For a few more resources, visit http://www.nae.net/prayforiraq.
Here in Europe many are dismayed and furious about what is happening in Iraq. Anger abounds every time another report is heard or seen about the many innocent children being murdered by ruthless fanatics that can scarcely be called humans. The world community cannot stand idle. The butchering masking as religious zeal must be stopped and the blood drenched perpetrators need to be swiftly brought to justice. Unfortunately, more lives will be sacrificed before any realistic hope for peace is on the horizon. I pray that sensible and loving Muslims all around the world will also loudly raise their voices against this sickening brutality and bring their influence to bear. Man’s inhumanity against man makes us want the more the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Thy Kingdom, come, O God!
a sad fact in all this is that these extrmeists are always being described as being “well armed and well financed. One has to wonder, where is all that support coming from? My heart and prayers go out to those poor victims of this senseless brutality.
Here is a podcast that provides related prayer points: https://www.joshuafund.com/learn/audio/update_on_iraq_from_an_iraqi_pastor