Praying for Iraq: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - July 18

Today we conclude prayers for Iraq. Please review pages 469-474.

If your heart has been stirred, like mine, toward Muslims such as those in Iraq, I want to encourage you to take part in a global prayer initiative that starts tomorrow. Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims - a month where they fast throughout daylight hours as a way of reaching God. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam and almost every Muslim will be fasting during this month. Many are more spiritually sensitive during this time as well. For more than two decades, Christians have been praying for Muslims during Ramadan to experience the power and presence of Isa (Jesus) al-Misah (the Messiah). If your heart is stirred, please visit 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World and prepare to start praying tomorrow!

My prayer for today: Lord, on this eve of Ramadan, we lift up the Muslims in Iraq. We pray that those who are sincerely seeking You will find You during this upcoming month. We pray that tonight You will prepare their hearts to learn from You in a new way. Send dreams and visions, messengers with Your Word, radio and TV broadcasts - whatever resources You choose, Lord, to draw them to hear the message of salvation through those who proclaim the Gospel. We pray for the ministries and missionaries who are serving in Iraq. Strengthen them as they go through this season which is filled with spiritual opportunities and spiritual warfare. For those who are fasting along with Muslims to pray for the Muslim world during this season, we pray for physical strength and spiritual awareness and sensitivity. Oh Lord, let this Ramadan be a powerful season of harvest in the Muslim world and specifically in Iraq. Reveal Your glory to them! In the precious, holy, powerful name of Jesus, amen.

Praying for Iraq: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - July 17

Today and tomorrow we pray for a country that many of us know best from two wars over the past two decades. Today's Iraq, though, is far from a war-torn country struggling to survive. While it still has a long way to go, Iraq has a burgeoning democracy and people who are proud, hard-working, and eager to move their country forward. There are many prayers needed, though, for long-term change to be a reality in Iraq. Please learn about this country on pages 469-474.

My prayer for today: Lord, thank You so much for the work that You have accomplished in Iraq over the past two decades. We are excited to see the substantial growth among Iraqi Arab evangelicals and the people movement to Christ among the Kurds. We know that they remain a tiny minority and face real persecution, but Lord these believers reflect Your heart for Iraq, Your desire to bring people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to You for Your glory. The successful elections and emergence of self-government is encouraging, and Lord we pray that You will repeatedly raise up men and women who will serve their country with integrity and righteousness. We pray for wisdom in balancing the needs of the different religious and ethnic communities. We ask You to bring the healing balm of Gilead to those hurt from the decades of suffering, two wars, and the aftermath. Lord we pray for the power of the Gospel to tear down the walls between people. We pray for true freedom to emerge as more and more Iraqi people come to know Jesus as their Messiah. In His name we pray for them, Amen.