IS TRUMP’S LOOMING WAR THE ANSWER FOR IRAQ?

Is President Trump’s looming war with Iran the answer for Iraq? As we went to press, the large, dark shadow of war loomed over the Middle East. I was with our team in Iraq earlier this month preparing them with a war plan for themselves and for the ministry; not entirely pleasant. This is a unique group of people; each experienced in war and most have lost everything before. I admire the strength, courage and steadfast faith in the Lord each one has. The Iran Iraq war impact on the region, on families and communities will be far-reaching, and our involvement with prayers, I believe, will weigh into the outcomes.

So will this war help? Perhaps. Things at stake are education, medical care, security and economic well-being, just to begin with. The proxy militias and armies in the region are controlled by Tehran and impose varying degrees of oppression. For example, Iraq’s sporadic payment of salaries to public employees to the Kurdish Region is an ongoing conflict that has caused school closings, shortages of police, and near-starvation in some remote villages. In pockets of the Middle East, Iranian-controlled militias are in full control over local governments, education, security and economic trade. The threat of a new 30% tax on the people of Iraq beginning in March is an unthinkable next-level tightening of the already tight economic noose – and with a war on the horizon, it’s not difficult to trace where these monies will be used. A loss of funding from Tehran for proxies would enable local governments to reorganize.

The sad truth of the Iran Iraq war impact is that Iranians and Iraqis, desperate for relief, are actually willing to go through this war to purchase a redemption of any sort – a dangerous answer to the hopeless future before them.

Prayer points:

With the turmoil in Iran, much is at stake, and because Baghdad is essentially controlled by Iran, this spills over into Iraq. Then, the possibility that former Iraq President, Nouri al-Maliki might be elected as Prime Minister, is a huge concern, especially for Christians, as it was under his presidency that ISIS was allowed to establish a strong foothold and cause massive upheaval, destruction and persecution of the Christian. Others who suffered were Yazidis and Shia Muslim populations. Join me in praying that factions like ISIS in Syria, Iran, Iraq would not get another foothold. Pray against spiritual strongholds, pray for the Christians in Iraq to deepen their faith in Christ and stand.