Iraq is a Muslim nation with almost the entirety of the nation identifying as  Muslim. Christians are persecuted in Iraq and the movement of ISIS in Iraq has displaced them from their homes where they have fled to Northern Iraq[1]. The economy of Iraq is dominated by the oil sector, providing over 90% of government earnings and 80% of foreign exchange earnings[2]. Therefore, Iraq’s economy is directly dependent on the global oil prices. Due to internal violence, Iraq has nearly 4 million internally displaced persons since 2006[3]. Iraq is also home to around 273,000 refugees and another 48,000 stateless persons[4]. Finally, Iraq is a source and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude[5]. Let’s Pray…

-God, we lift up each Iraqi citizen to you. We pray that each individual would come to know our Lord Yeshua HaMashiach through evangelists, visions & dreams, churches, and any resources you desire to utilize. Let them receive your atoning blood, that their sins may be washed away and have their name written in your book of life. Open their eyes to the truth of your gospel Jesus, and lead them towards paths of righteousness. Jesus, let salvation continue to break out in Iraq. Let the chains of bondage fall off millions each day, and let your name be proclaimed Jesus! 

-God, we lift up the division amongst people groups in Iraq. As you Holy Spirit move and change hearts in Iraq, we pray that would you change the animosity between these people groups. God we pray for your peace to flow through all of Iraq. We pray for hate to be removed from hearts and replace it with peace. Holy Spirit, we pray that you would infuse society with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.* Jesus, we pray that these Iraqis could learn to love one another and be united through the son, Jesus Christ.            

-God, help this nation train children in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not turn from it.** Help them to know their Savior-Jesus Christ. 

-God, we ask for angelic assignments to be placed over each trafficking victim or potential victim in Iraq. Yeshua, we pray for your divine protection over each individual. God, we ask for a release for these victims in Iraq. We pray that you would set free the oppressed in this nation. We press forward in your grace and ask for mental, emotional, and physical healing over the captives through the blood of your son Yeshua. We ask that the captive would hear your word and accept your saving grace Jesus. Help the victims enter into healing and life breathing communities. Holy Spirit, we ask that you would convict the guilty of their sins and lead them to repentance, salvation, and the plans you have for them.       

-We pray over the Iraqi refugees living in surrounding nations and the internally displaced population in Iraq. Father, help them to adjust to their new home and help them to know the goodness of the Lord our God in their new home. We pray for protection for these refugees and that they would come to know you Jesus, that they would repent of their sins, and that they would glorify your name God. We also lift up the stateless persons and the refugees living in Iraq and we ask for your blessing and provision over them as they establish their identity and homes in Iraq. We pray for Christian fellowship to comfort them and lead them towards knowing you God.  Amen.  

Image Credit: Saad Salim

[1] The Voice of the Martyrs. “Global report on where Christians are persecuted today.” Bartlesville: Persecution.com. 2017.   

[2] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2014).

[3] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2014).

[4] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2014).

[5] Patt, Professor Martin, (Date Accessed January 2015).

*Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Galatians 5:22-23, (1984).

**Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Proverbs 22:6, (2011).