During the first two weeks of September, one of our colleagues whose name is Sam (last name not included for security reasons) was able to facilitate two prayer seminars for Iraqi believers in Erbil, Kurdistan and in Baghdad. Here is his account of what happened and some continuing prayer concerns:

"It  has  not  been  easy  for  the  believers  to  raise  up  in  faith  to  pray  for  their  nation. One  night  a  believer - lady  and  her  family  were  robbed  at  gun-point through  8  gunmen,  during  those  days  of  prayer.  This  really discouraged  believers  again,  after  the  major  bomb-blast  I  mentioned  before,  the  evening  before  I  arrived. Anyway, I kept  encouraging  them,  challenging  the  inner  -  circle  of  the  church to  increase  their  prayer -  commitment  and  taught  them  with  plenty  of  testimonies, how  prayer  changes  cities  &  nations.

We finished well with  several  active  prayer-times,  standing  in  cross  -  formation,  facing  in  the  directions  of  IS  etc.  and  once  for  the  young  generation  &  their  future. Prayed  against  evil  and  corrupt  &  wicked  politicians  to  be  removed,  for  God to  tear  down  the  wicked  high  places  and  for  the  march  of  death  by  Shias  to  stop  etc.

In the final meeting, I challenged them on bringing  a  real  expression  of  their  faith  into society  by  worship,  intercession,  prayer-walking  and  blessing  the  nation  and  the  majority  people. We  finished  with  a  ministry time  for  many,  many  individuals,  where  God  touched  some people  very  deeply  and  they  couldn't  stand  anymore. One lady was shaking for hours  through  the  power  of  God.  

Praise  God  for these things:

• France  has  started  their  air campaign  in  Iraq  against  IS. Note from editor: 5 Arab nations have also joined with about 60 nations willing to assist now.
• Kurdish  forces  have advanced against  IS  in  Northern  Iraq  and  Syria.
• Believers  in  Baghdad  have  started  praying  for  their  neighborhoods  and  see  positive  changes.
• One  lady doctor  is  committed  to  lay  her  hands  on  the  hearts  of  her  patients  while  doing check - ups  and  praying  for  them,  blessing  Muslims  etc.   

Please keep  praying  for  the  following for Iraq (and Syria). Here are some requests from Sam with some addtions from the editor:

• Iraqi  believers  to  take  responsibility  for  their  nation  in  prayer  and  to  receive  a  fresh  boldness  instead  of  fear   (many  struggle  with  depression,  fear,  hopelessness).
• Church  leaders  to  get  a  strong  burden  &  love  for  their  country  and  lead  the  believers  into prayer instead  of  leaving   (quite  a  number  of  churches  are  already  been  closed  down).
• The  international alliance  of  nations  against  IS  to  effectively fight  IS  and  to  continue  a  successful  campaign  against  the  terrorists. Formation of an international expeditionary force to be rapidly deployed wherever radical Islam and terrorists operate.
• The  government  in  Baghdad  to  be  strengthened  and  the  old  revengeful  politicians to  be  stopped since they cause  havoc  through  sponsoring  bomb-blasts  and killings. Pray for Prime Minister Haider to be strong, honest, non-sectarian. He recently received prayer by a friend in Baghdad. So did some Peshmerga military leaders for their actions against IS in the north. May many political leaders in the nation come to know and pray to the Lord for the healing and transformation of their nation!
• For peace  for  Iraq,  development,  foreign  investment,  rebuilding  of  the  infrastructure  etc.
• That all  places  that  have  been  conquered  by  IS  /  ISIS  /  ISIL  /  Al  Qaida   will be   taken  back  by  the Iraqi  &  Kurdish  forces.
• For Christians in Iraq and Syria and other places affected to faithfully persevere; for their protection, provision for their basic needs and that they will boldly proclaim Jesus
• For the influence of the demonic forces and evil alliances to be broken and destroyed.
• For extremists/jihadists to meet Jesus Christ as their Saviour and as the Prince of Peace. (Percentage wise more radical/jihadist Muslims are coming to the Lord than any other group amongst Muslims.) Remember the man Saul a radical Jew who became Paul the greatest missionary of all time.