Iraq has long been a nation of trouble and tension. This is the land where the Jews were taken into exile and the prophet Daniel served the kings of Babylon. Having once been part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq gradually gained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. While it was officially declared a republic in 1958, it remained under the control of military strongmen. When the latest ruler, Saddam Hussein, came to power in 1979, there was even more turmoil for the people of Iraq. Most of the 1980s were spent at war with Iran over control of the Shatt-al-Arab waterway to the Persian Gulf.

The Persian Gulf War was followed by genocide of select ethnic groups, and many, including Christians, were gassed, shot, or forced to leave their homes. Religions were accepted if they showed loyalty to Saddam's regime. The importing of Christian literature was restricted.

Iraq has undergone significant changes since the U.S. and coalition forces invaded the country in March 2003, leading to the dismantling of the Ba’ath dictatorship of Saddam’s regime. With the fall of Saddam's regime came considerable uncertainty. Some Iraqis continued to push for an Islamic regime similar to Iran while others were looking for a secular and democratic society. The United States has been seeking to assist Iraq in establishing that democracy.

The Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government on June 28, 2004. The IG (Interim Government) was urged to recognize religious freedom for all people, whether they are in the minority or part of the majority Muslim population, even if a Muslim chooses to disagree with traditional Islam. While a new constitution adopted in October 2005 states that religious freedom should be respected, it states that no proposed legislation can in any way be in violation of the “universally agreed upon tenets of Islam.”

Even while democracy is being pursued, there are those who take it upon themselves to personally enforce Islamic control in their area. 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.  Thousands are reported to have fled to neighbouring countries. At the same time, some pastors and Christian workers see this time as an excellent opportunity to share the hope and peace of Jesus. Some western Christian organizations have used the change of regime as an opportunity to minister in Iraq, though they are not welcome by all Iraqis. Christians presently form only 3.3 percent of Iraq's people.

• Pray for a stable, democratic government in Iraq that respects the rights of all Iraqis.
• Pray for protection for Christians during this time of upheaval and danger.
• Pray for ministry opportunities for churches and Christian relief organizations working in Iraq.