There have been a number of bomb attacks against churches in Iraq.

On Saturday 11 July a church in western Baghdad was bombed. On Sunday 12 July five further churches in Baghdad were bombed. On Monday 13 July a church in Mosul was also bombed. In the deadliest of these bombings, in Baghdad on Sunday evening, four have been confirmed dead including three Christians. One source in Baghdad mentioned as many as 14 may have been killed. There are reports of many injuries, and of damage to the church buildings.

Also on Sunday, a senior provincial government official in Kirkuk, a Christian, was shot and killed while driving to work. It is not yet known whether or not his murder was religiously motivated.

Christians in Iraq are concerned that this latest upsurge in sectarian violence demonstrates the continuing inability of government and security forces to quell such acts. They are also concerned that the continuing violence will dissuade Iraqi Christians who have relocated elsewhere in the Middle East from returning to Iraq in the near future.

Iraqi Christians request our prayers that:

a. This latest wave of sectarian violence will not escalate further, and that the security forces will act effectively to prevent further attacks

b. All believers will be able to meet for worship without fear of persecution and violence

c. All believers will know the Spirit's daily guiding and the Son's inner peace as they live amidst the violence in the area

d. The perpetrators of the attacks and bombings will be convicted by the Spirit

e. All officials involved will act justly, ensuring effective investigation and fair prosecution of the perpetrators

From a friend. July 2009.