Iraq

Praise Points

Lord, we thank You that despite centuries of persecution, the Christian faith in Iraq still stands as a living testimony of Your power. 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned.“

Thank You, God, for rebuilding efforts in once-devastated Christian towns like Qaraqosh and the slow return of families to their homes. Isaiah 58:12 – “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations.“

Father, we thank You for international believers who pray, give, and speak for the Iraqi Church, keeping their struggle known before the world.” Hebrews 13:3 – “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison.“

Prayer Points

Lord, silence the voices of extremism, protect Christians from physical violence, and let Your peace reign over homes filled with fear. Psalm 91:2–3 – “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress… Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare.’”

God, deliver young Christian women from bride kidnapping and forced marriages. Restore their dignity and give them safety under Your wings. Psalm 72:14 – “He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight.”

Lord, strengthen those who face pressure to reconvert. May they stand firm, remembering that You alone are worthy of their faith and worship. Revelation 2:10 – “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”

A Call to Salvation

Holy Spirit, renew Iraq’s Christians with strength to rebuild their faith, families, and churches, declaring Christ’s love even amid opposition. Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Lord, help Christian families to teach their children the Word of God faithfully and to live in unity despite social rejection. Colossians 3:16 – “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.”

Father, raise a generation of bold Iraqi teenagers who will not be ashamed of the Gospel but will lead others into truth and peace.” Joel 2:28 – “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams.”

Iraq, one of the world’s oldest civilizations—ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of writing and early cities—has witnessed empires rise and fall, from Babylon and Assyria to Persia, Greece, and Islam. The land’s culture is richly woven with poetry, hospitality, strong family ties, and deep respect for elders. However, decades of dictatorship, war, sectarian violence, and foreign intervention have deeply scarred its people.

Christianity in Iraq goes all the way back to the Apostle Thomas’s disciples, Addai and Mari, brought the Gospel to Mesopotamia. The Church of the East, one of the world’s oldest, flourished for centuries, sending missionaries as far as China and India. Later, Christian leaders such as Saint Ephrem the Syrian and Patriarch Timothy I shaped the early Church’s theology and learning.

Today, Iraq’s Christian teenagers face immense hardship. In towns and villages, new converts to Christianity are often excluded by local authorities, expelled from families, and subjected to violent attempts to force them back to Islam. Many young Christian women endure bride kidnapping and forced marriages. In contrast, others face physical abuse or intimidation to abandon their faith.

The Church is under threat due to the lingering effects of war, religious extremism, economic collapse, and emigration, which have reduced Iraq’s Christian population from over 1.5 million to a fraction of that today. Amid fear and loss, the faith of Iraq’s Christians risks fading without a firm biblical grounding. To prevent the decline of Christianity, believers in Iraq must return to the roots of Acts 2 fellowship, prioritizing unity, discipleship, and endurance. They must forgive as Christ forgave, resist fear through the Spirit’s power, and rebuild their communities with love and courage, trusting God’s sovereignty even in suffering.