Displaying items by tag: Baghdad

Christians in Iraq remain shaken by the twin suicide bombing in Baghdad. It was the first mass-casualty attack since 2018, killing at least 32 people and wounding more than a hundred. IS took credit, stirring fears of a resurgence. Samuel of Redemptive Stories says believers are shaken, but they’re pressing on to make Christ known. ‘I had the privilege to talk to a pastor on the very night of the suicide attacks and he said, ‘Our spiritual condition as a church is well; our physical condition is well; but our emotional state, as a church, is sad. The church had seen three years of almost peaceable activity. Now suddenly, out of nowhere, there are these significant attacks. The hope of Christ shines brightly amid such tumult.’

There are almost 20,000 ordained ministers in England; in Iraq there is just one, Rev Faez Jirjees, the parish priest at St George's church in Baghdad. Christians make up about 1% of Iraq’s population, but most fled when IS were at their most brutal. Despite being bombed several times, St George's became a hub for interfaith relations, providing healthcare to Christians as well as Shia and Sunni Muslims at its clinic, dentists, pharmacy, laboratories, a nursery, primary school and a 'hope centre' that helps train young people with vocational skills for jobs. Rev Jirjees' parents dedicated him to become a priest as a child, and he served in the Anglican church close to his house as a boy. Pray for the congregation of 300, who worship in a church protected by concrete bollards, security gates, and armed guards. Pray for the Christians fearful of returning to war-torn Iraq.

Our nation has come out of the dark tunnel of ISIS with a heavy burden of mass corruption and many political parties.

The nation is heading for an election mid of May, we need a Divine intervention to choose the right person that will bring the ship to the right shore.

PM EL-Ebady has proven to be a godly person who is clean and sincere to the nation. I have called many to agree with us to pray that he will win the seat for PM for a second term.

Thus, kindly agree with us for this.

Unemployment is very high; education and health services are the lowest in 50 yrs. I am very optimistic that should Mr. El- ebady win, then many positives then take place.

Blessings and thanks,

A Prayer Leader friend in Baghdad