Today Iraqi Assyrian Christians Request Prayer

http://www.assyrianchristians.com ^ | 5/11/2004 | Rev. Ken Joseph

[Lily Renew]

Worldwide Day of Prayer for the Assyrian Christians of Iraq, Sunday, May 16, 2004

A Worldwide Day of Prayer for the 2.5 Million Assyrian Christians of Iraq has been set.

Christians worldwide are asked to pray for the long persecuted Assyrian Christian Community in Iraq. As the original people of Iraq and the first nation to accept Christianity following the death of Christ and the greatest missionary sending nation in history having brought the gospel to China, Japan and Asia.

Prayer is being asked for the following:

1. Delay of the proposed June 30 handover in Iraq until a secular constitution, elections and government can be established as the only way to protect Christians.

2. Autonomy and special rights as the indigenous people of Iraq for all Assyrian Christians.

3. Removal of the words `Islam is the official religion of the state` from the Iraqi constitution.

4. Prayer for spiritual revival and awakening in the Assyrian Christian Community worldwide.

[Lily Renew]

I have been asked by some FR prayer warriors for a reminder that today is the day of prayer that Rev. Ken Joseph has requested for persecuted Christians in Iraq.

You may want to visit the assyrianchristians.com website, although there have been some link problems recently. You can view photos from Iraqi relief missions in 2003 and 2004 and read some of Ken Joseph's articles about the Assyrian people.

It is a great encouragement to the Iraqi Assyrians to know that Christians around the world are aware of their existence and persecution and are praying for them. My husband, assyrianamerican, will make sure that Rev. Ken gets your FR comments and prayers, even if the website links are problematic.

Thank you to those of you who have already joined with us in prayer.

Lily

[Piranha]

I feel for these people. There was an AFP report today that Powell anounced US willingness to accept an Islamic theocracy in Iraq. This cannot be good for the Assyrians.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1136594/posts

[sgtbono2002]

Christians in America today are being persecuted, laughed at for their moral standings on Queer marriages and anti-abortion standings. I too hope the Christians in Iraq are helped , but it isnt likely the June 30th. date will be put off. The Dems would be on Bush like a hip pocket.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Thanks for the post! ...But it's excerpted (why?) and I can't find it on the page you've linked. Any guidance on how to find the complete page would be appreciated.

[Lily Renew]

My apologies--My husband's screen name is backwards. It is americanassyrian, not assyrianamerican.

He has dealt with questions from other Assyrians about why he has placed American first. He is very specific in his response. He is an American citizen and thankful for the freedom he has to work on behalf of his Assyrian people. He also speaks out to keep that freedom from being eroded for Americans of other heritage.

And before either of these descriptives, like the Assyrian leadership he identifies himself as Christian.

Lily, Christian by God's grace and the sacrifice of One, American by birth and the sacrifice of many, Assyrian by marriage and the determination of two that what God has joined nothing can drive apart

[Paul_B]

My prayers, Lily. These people are on the front lines of a very difficult and important battle. This whole region needs a major breakthrough so the Gospel can be preached and people live in dignity.

Paul

[Lily Renew]

I had posted the full announcement earlier this week on FR under the title "Day of Prayer for the Assyrian Christians of Iraq." At that time I received a request to repost today.

Since then I checked the www.assyrianchristians.com website and saw there were some technical problems going on. I then eliminated the end of the announcement asking for comments to be mailed to Rev. Ken Joseph at the website, thus the "excerpt" status.

The original announcement came directly to my husband, AmericanAssyrian, from Rev. Ken in an e-mail to be distributed. I thought it was supposed to be posted on the website but something must have happened--possibly limited time or perhaps a security reason. At any rate, the Assyrians in Iraq need on-going prayer and the list in the announcement is very specific about their current needs.

Thank you for your interest and encouragement. I am new at posting after reading FR for many years and am still learning the most effective way to post.

Lily (My apologies for any confusion.)

[freedom44]

BUMP!