As Elections Near, Graham Urges Prayer for Iraqi Church

by Allie Martin
December 9, 2004

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(AgapePress) - The founder of the Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse says believers in Iraq are thriving in spite of intense danger, but recent terrorist attacks have resulted in an exodus of believers from the war-torn nation.

Samaritan's Purse recently organized a medical airlift and relief convoy in Iraq, and has also helped establish and supply several Iraqi hospitals since the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime. The ministry is working to relieve suffering, and to offer as much support and assistance as possible to the Iraqi Church. Franklin Graham, founder and president of Samaritan's Purse, says there is a strong remnant of believers in the Middle Eastern country.

Franklin Graham

"Churches are being targeted right now, being blown up by these Muslim radical fanatics," Graham says. "It's a very dangerous place." Still, he acknowledges, "God's got His people there. There's a growing church in Baghdad."

Samaritan's Purse currently provides food parcels to hundreds of families in Iraq on a monthly basis, and has also helped refurbish one of Baghdad's largest hospitals and establish a church. The ministry spokesman says although the violence perpetuated by Iraqi insurgents and Islamic terrorists has had ongoing and devastating impact on the Christian community in Iraq, the Church is still seeing increase and carrying out its ministry in the midst of conflict.

"Even with this persecution and this threat, the Church continues to grow," Graham says, "so we need to pray for the Church. We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in faith in Jesus Christ who live in that part of the world. It's extremely dangerous, but we just need to pray that God will watch over them and protect them."

The ministry leader is also encouraging Christians in the U.S. to remember to pray fervently for believers in Iraq next month as the country prepares for its first democratic elections since the fall of Saddam's dictatorship. Meanwhile, relief efforts continue.