What is Iraq like for Christians these days? Here are some excerpts from a believer there:

“Living in the atmosphere of Iraq, those who are controlled by the spirit of fear forced many churches to close their doors and told their members, ‘We will call you when the circumstances get better.’ When churches started to close their doors, people immigrated to Northern Iraq and some to Syria and Jordan. Many Christians did not find an open church to go to.

“One [church] was threatened [so] many times that they had to close their doors or the Muslims would attack them. After seeking the Lord in prayer and fasting, the pastor and some other workers VOM supports decided they would not close, and they would have their regular meetings. We decided to do as Nehemiah did when he resisted the spirit of fear and continued to build Jerusalem. We agreed to take turns spending nights in the church to watch for any attack. Other churches heard about this, and they started to open their doors and do the same. The brother visited other churches in Baghdad and encouraged them to keep their doors open also.

“The brothers also saw that division started to take place between the pastors in Iraq. The brothers invited most of the pastors in Baghdad to pray together for unity and encouragement. Now they have a weekly prayer meeting for their country and the different parts of the world.

“They also started an outreach ministry to Muslims. More than once, Muslims came to the church asking for someone who can talk to them about the peaceful religion, Christianity. The brothers are conducting a weekly Bible study for Muslims. Muslim converts started to tell each other about the meeting and the meeting keeps growing.”

Be encouraged that amidst all the pain the Iraqi people are suffering that we hear about on the new, some are turning to Jesus Christ as a result. Please continue to lift them up in your prayers.