Since the ousting of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq has been in a state of turmoil. Commonly, the three main groups, Sunni Muslim Arabs, Shia Muslim Arabs and Kurds have managed to take over one another’s homelands, sometimes bulldozing homes and driving their rivals to becoming Internally Displace Persons (IPPs), or refugees outside their country. Since there is very little willingness to share power for the common good, Iraqi Arabs will face poverty and misery for years to come.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Islam has greatly influenced the lives of the Iraqi Arabs. Most are either Sunni or Shia Muslim, the latter being unusual for Arabs. There has been great strife between the Sunni and Shia Muslims for political control for many years. The Shias are allied with their religious counterparts over the border in Iran. They are in the category of the “Twelvers,” meaning they follow 12 imams (teachers), the 12th being Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, whom they believe will someday return to bring peace and justice to the world. Shia Muslims also stress victimhood and martyrdom, and they commemorate events where their leaders were killed. The latter might be a possible bridge to the death of Christ on the cross. There are also some traditional Christians among the Iraqi Arabs.
Prayer Points
Pray for peace and justice in Baghdad and Iraq in general. Pray for the Iraqi Arabs to have the willingness to cooperate with all factors, allowing their country to rebuild. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead Iraqi Muslims to Jesus Christ as the answer to their spiritual needs. Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among Iraqi Arabs.
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
Read"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Cor. 1:3-4
Read"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Is. 41:10
Read"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps. 34:18
Read"throne of grace with confidence, so that [they] may receive mercy and find grace"
Read"Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:6
ReadJohn 4:14, "whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst again."
ReadPsalm 117:1, "Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth."
ReadPsalm 113:3: "Everywhere—from east to west—praise the name of the Lord."
ReadPsalm 107:8: "Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them."
ReadPsalm 106:1: "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."
ReadPsalm 104:1: "Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty."
ReadPsalm 100:4, "...enter his gates with thanksgiving... and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name."
ReadPsalm 98:4 says, "Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!"
ReadPsalm 96:4, we declare together: "Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods."
ReadPsalm 95:1: "Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation."
ReadPsalm 86:12: "With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever"
ReadPsalm 66:4: "…I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long."
ReadPsalm 66:4 declares: "Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs."
ReadPsalms 63:3 declares, "Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!"
ReadPsalm 48:1, "How great is the Lord, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain!
ReadPsalm 47:6, "Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!"
ReadPsalm 34:1, "I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises."
ReadPsalm 33:1, "Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise Him."
ReadPsalm 30:4, "...sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name."
ReadPsalm 29:2 to "Honor [You] for the glory of [Your] name" and "worship [You] in the splendor of Your holiness."
ReadPsalm 19:1, "...Heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display [Your] craftsmanship."
Read“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them…” Acts 19:6
ReadActs 13:2 records, “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul…’”
Read"Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:17
Read“God anointed Jesus [to bring the Good News]… with the Holy Spirit and power.” Acts 10:38
Read"Jesus…has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:17
Read"Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:17
Read“We are witnesses… and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:32
Read“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:31
Read“...in the last days, [You][ will pour out my Spirit on all people..." Acts 2:17
Read"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:1–4
Read“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” Acts 1:8
Read"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4
Read"I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." 3 John 1:2
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