Robert and Maureen McQuillan share:

Every day the news – whether TV, radio, emails or newspaper – hits hard with the latest bad reports from around the world, especially regarding the Middle East and Iraq in particular.

When current atrocities in Mosul were first announced a few weeks back we were extremely disappointed with the church we happened to be at that Sunday. Not one concerned prayer for Christians facing death by the sword unless they converted to Islam!

Yet the following week when we were ministering in an Assyrian church, prayer for the homeland was sincerely cried, God deeply worshipped and an offering taken up for Christians back in Iraq!

Aware that things were terrible back in the homeland and the future very uncertain for Christians, Jews and even some Muslims alike, we praised them for their prayers, especially for protection for Christians and ministers back there. (See The Buzz re ‘Bishop of Baghdad’ Canon Andrew White‘s refusal to leave despite personal danger and ISIS atrocities).

Thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes leaving only an estimated 200 in the city. Even some Muslims are terrified – ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is known for its harsh interpretation of Wahhabi Islam and its brutal violence directed at Shia Muslims and Christians in particular. (more…)