Iraq 'Day of Rage' - please pray
Jesus [said]: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'
Dear friends, At least five people have been killed as thousands of demonstrators have flooded Iraq's streets for a 'Day of Rage' today. The nation-wide rally aims to highlight political corruption, unemployment and a shortage of basic facilities including food, electricity and water. Earlier today, Canon Andrew, who is in Kurdistan, northern Iraq, called the scale of the protests "unprecedented," adding: "We urgently need your prayers. Iraq is under total shutdown. A curfew has been imposed, no vehicles are allowed on the roads and no one is allowed into work other than security personnel." The protests mirror a wave of demonstrations across the Middle East, and have led to a virtual lockdown of many parts of Iraq - including in the relatively peaceful north. The threat of escalating violence is real. There are concerns also that extremist groups may use the opportunity to strike on crowded streets, or target religious buildings. Churches have been closed, services cancelled, and staff asked to stay away. We urgently need your prayers today. Please pray for a peaceful outcome to demonstrations, and for the safety of people throughout Iraq. Prayers for St George's Faiz, our lay pastor at St George's Church in Baghdad, has asked that you pray for the congregation and staff at this time, and for the building itself, that it will not come under attack during the demonstrations. He asked also that you pray for the safety of Andrew, his wife Caroline and two children, and for J.John and his wife Killy who have joined them. They are enjoying a break in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. Please pray for God's protection over them, and that they will be able to have a peaceful end to a very rare break. Lent reflections Please do remember us in your prayers this Lent. For some reflections, images and points to bear in mind, click here for our Lent poster. We'd be very grateful if you could display it in your churches, and share with others the work we're doing. To recieve further resources, email me at jenny@frrme.org Thank you, so much, for your continued prayers. If you have a prayer for our work which you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at jenny@frrme.org Every blessing
Jenny Williams jenny@frrme.org
Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East
www.FRRME.org
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