Displaying items by tag: Baghdad
Iraq: IS resurgence with Baghdad bombings
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.’
Iraq: the last church standing
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.
Pray for Iraq and its Elections
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