[Today's Prayer] Iraqi Government "Encourages Overseas Christians to Return"… Local Christian Leaders Remain Skeptical Due to Unresolved Security and Discrimination Issues

Following the 2003 U.S.-led coalition invasion of Iraq and the violence that followed from militant groups, many Christians left the country. Recently, the Iraqi government has encouraged Christians living abroad to return. However, local Christian leaders remain deeply skeptical because the fundamental issues of insecurity and social discrimination have not been resolved.

(Article excerpt omitted)

Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, Iraq has become a major target for extremist militant groups, including the notorious ISIS. Due to decades of conflict and persecution, the number of Christians in Iraq, which once reached approximately 1.5 million, has now drastically declined to fewer than 250,000.

Recently, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi urged Christians living abroad to return, promising various incentives, including investments in healthcare and education as well as land distribution programs.

(Article excerpt omitted)

However, according to a report released by the media organization Nirij, these promises from the Iraqi government have not been enough to convince Christians to return. The fundamental causes that forced Christians to flee—such as the government's lack of security and rule of law, as well as continued political marginalization—have not been addressed.

Christian activists interviewed by Nirij demanded not only protection from violent extremists but also the immediate return of property and land that had been illegally confiscated or occupied. They also identified widespread discrimination against Christians in the Muslim-majority society and the lack of meaningful political representation as major concerns.

Mor Nicodemus Daoud Matti Sharaf, the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, and the Kurdistan region, stated in an interview with Nirij, "Calling for Christians to return without addressing the fundamental reasons they were forced to leave will not bring any results."

(Article excerpt omitted)

Source: Christian Today

"The Lord said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.'" (Judges 7:7)

We hear the news that the Iraqi government has encouraged Iraqi diaspora Christians, who left Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003 due to violence from Islamic extremist militant groups, to return to their homeland.

May the Iraqi government take action to resolve the causes that forced Iraqi diaspora Christians to flee, including threats to their lives from ISIS and the return of illegally confiscated lands and properties.

Lord, have mercy on Iraqi diaspora Christians who have lived amid discrimination in a Muslim-majority society and without true representation or leadership.

Just as You gave Midian into the hands of the 300 men who prepared for battle with Gideon, anoint the Iraqi church and prepare them amid this spiritual battle where the number of Christians has fallen from 1.5 million to 250,000. May they inherit Iraq and the Arab world for Your kingdom.

May the global church share the situation in Iraq, intercede in prayer, and seek the peace of Iraq, giving their utmost effort to help Iraqi diaspora Christians return to their homes.

Therefore, may Iraq become a nation that fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 19 and prepares the way for the return of the Lord!