iraq
GOVERNMENT: Federal parliamentary republic
POPULATION: 45 million
RELIGION: Islam (majority Shia, then Sunni), small Christian and Yazidi minorities
LANGUAGE: Arabic and Kurdish
CURRENCY: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
CLIMATE: Mostly arid desert; hot summers and mild winters
Pray with us
Pray for the persecuted and displaced Church in Iraq. Ask God to heal the wounds left by war and the persecution of ancient Christian communities. Pray for strength for the remaining believers, and for widows and lay leaders carrying on ministry work.
Pray for the unreached and marginalized people groups. Lift up the Shia, Sunni, Marsh Arabs, Bedouin, Turkmen, Yazidis, Domari, Mandeans, and others who have little or no access to the Gospel. Pray for workers to be sent and for spiritual, cultural, and political barriers to be broken in Jesus’ name.
Pray for unity, growth, and bold evangelism among the Kurds. Thank God for the growing number of Kurdish believers, and pray for their protection. Ask God to use their openness to strengthen the Church, promote peace among ethnic groups, and create bridges for Gospel opportunities.
THE REALITY
Iraq, once a vibrant center of Christianity dating back to the first century through Thomas the Apostle, has seen its Christian population decline from 1.5 million to less than 1% due to decades of war, persecution, and displacement. The rise of terrorism, especially ISIS, led to the destruction of churches and mass uprooting of believers and other minorities, leaving behind deep trauma. Iraq is also home to many unreached and marginalized people groups, including Sunni Arabs, Marsh Arabs, Bedouin, Turkmen, Yazidis, Domari, and Mandeans—most of whom have little to no exposure to the Gospel and remain spiritually unreached.
Though ISIS has lost most of its territory, its extremist ideology remains through underground groups. Ancient Christian communities like the Assyrians and Nestorians, once known for their missionary legacy, are almost nonexistent. Most churches lie in destruction, and many believers have left the country. Pastors and ministry leaders have been killed which has created a leadership void, although Christian widows stepped in to continue discipleship and pastoral care. Despite denominational and ethnic divisions, a small revival is growing in evangelical communities.
Amid turmoil, over 50,000 Iraqi Arab evangelicals are estimated to have come to Christ, many from Muslim or extremist backgrounds. Through dreams, visions, Gospel media and personal evangelism, they have encountered the truth of the Gospel and the love of Jesus.
In Baghdad, the recent opening of the country’s first skatepark also offers a new opportunity for engaging and discipling the next generation through action sports ministry. The youth is especially looking for purpose and a community to belong. Although many have sought to leave the country, never to return, the Great Commission is still to be carried on in Iraq. As the country and the Church rebuild, there is a great need for lasting hope, selfless love and bold leadership.
