Weekly Watch Focus: Christians in Iraq

FRIDAY, August 1, Christians have thrived in Northern Iraq since biblical times. But no more. The last Christians have fled Mosul, which is ancient Ninevah, after ISIS’ ultimatum: convert or die. ISIS is the extremist Islamic terrorist organization that has conquered most of Northern Iraq, beginning a reign of death and terror seldom seen in history. They plan to set up an Islamic caliphate in Iraq and Syria. ISIS has executed hundreds of innocents. They have removed every Christian cross , blown up the tomb of the prophet Jonah, and turned an ancient orthodox cathedral into a mosque. Any Muslims who have spoken up on behalf of Christians have been executed. Christians in the area have had to flee with only the clothes they word. Thousands have been made homeless and stateless.

Pray for Iraqi Christians. Pray for peace in Iraq and for the evil ISIS to be defeated. Pray for those agencies supplying relief to the refugees. We give thanks that France has been gracious to offer these Christians refuge.

Let us also remember Christians in other Islamic nations such as Pakistan and Sudan that are regularly persecuting their Christian communities. Also lift up other nations targeted by Islamic terrorists with acts of terror and extreme violence such as Nigeria.
Please continue to pray for God’s covering on Israel, another victim of ongoing terror attacks from violent Islamists. May God shield the Israeli’s from daily rocket attacks. May the IDF have swift  victory over the Hamas terror attacks. We intercede for the safety of innocent civilians caught in the middle of this violence.

Ps. 20, “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion;  May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.  We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.  They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.  Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.’

1 Pet. 3:14, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’”

Luke 6:22, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you,and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.”

Matt. 25:31-40, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Heb. 10:32-35, “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.”

2 Thess. 3:2-3, 2 Cor. 10:3-4