(Photo by Asia News)
Iraq (MNN) ― On Wednesday December 9, a three-member presidential council in Iraq approved amendments to a 2005 election law. National Parliamentary elections originally scheduled for January have been pushed to March 7.
Meanwhile, a power struggle in Iraq revealed itself with a wave of bombings that killed 127 on Tuesday. Police said the attacks were apparently aimed at sensitive Iraqi government buildings.
It may signal more to come as elections draw near. One question looms: will this violence eventually target the minority Christians?
Adele Konyndyk of Voice of the Martyrs Canada is troubled. "The message to Christians seems to be, 'Get out.' It seems to be a control issue. The Muslim population does want to maintain control. In that case, they either want the Christians to convert to Islam, or to leave the country."
Bombings of Christian religious institutions have been common throughout the process, particularly in the Mosul area of northern Iraq. With the volatile situation and continuing violence, Christians in Iraq are increasingly fearful of violence directed at them by militant Islamic groups active in Iraq.
Hundreds of thousands have already fled, which is not good news for ministry. "There's a concern also that more Christians will be forced to leave the area, leaving the Christians that are remaining with more specific challenges as to how to continue to serve Christ."
Konyndyk asks you to pray for evangelists and church workers. "Even in times of growing violence, we have seen the church continue to grow, and actually people in Iraq have become receptive to the message of the hope and peace of Jesus."
According to Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Christians presently form only 3.3 percent of Iraq's people. Continue to pray for ministry opportunities for churches and Christian relief organizations working in Iraq.
