Matthew 5: 43-44
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you: Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you.
Dear friends,
In last week's prayer update, we mentioned our forthcoming crisis summit in Copenhagen.
On Monday, participants will journey to Denmark from Iraq, the wider Middle East and across Europe for talks, which start on Tuesday.
The emergency summit will unite Iraq's religious leaders in a bid to end sectarian violence gripping the country.
The High Council of Religious Leaders in Iraq (HCRLI) includes senior religious figures from across Iraq's faith and ethnic groups.
Negotiations will be delicate. But, if the leaders can work together they have the power to bring peace.
Canon Andrew said, "It will be a complex process. There are no clear solutions. But we hope this conference will mean the beginning of a change to the sliding degree of trauma facing Christians in Iraq and the wider Middle East."
These leaders hold great religious and political sway in Iraq. Please pray for each of them, and for the communities and groups they represent.
Fruitful talks will require the patience, grace and wisdom of all involved, including staff from FRRME.
Please pray that God may indeed bless them with the skills and virtures they will need to make this summit a success. Pray that these leaders may discover newfound friendships with one another.
Please pray that the media cover the event with thoughtfulness, accuracy, and a keen sense of responsibility.
FRRME staff are delighted that the summit, which has taken many months of detailed preparation and hard work, is going ahead. Please pray for the team, as it works to ensure that the summit runs smoothly, and for Canon Andrew, as he chairs the talks.
Please pray with us, this coming week, that the outcome will be a blessed one, that talks will be fruitful and ongoing. Thank you.
Iraq and the wider Middle East
Meanwhile, our work, with all its daily blessings and traumas, goes on.
Just this morning, news of further deaths in Baghdad reached us: a family shot dead in their beds, the reason as yet unknown.
In Iraq and the wider Middle East, extremists continue to target Christians at home and at church.
People of other minority groups, including the Yazidis and Mandeans, are also targeted.
Please pray for the persecuted, whether Christian or not. And please pray for those who have lost loved ones.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support and prayer. Every blessing to you.
Jenny Williams
jenny@frrme.org
Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East
www.FRRME.org
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