The Battle Rages On

The Tempest in the Storm

As I see the headlines every day for the Christians in Iraq going through this terrible tragedy it breaks my heart. So many uprooted from their homes. So many having to flee on foot, pay a large tax, or be killed. Many lives taken for the mere fact of a religious preference. Here in America we do not have this to worry about much. Yes, there are a few instances where Christians are targeted for beliefs about gay marriage, birth control issues and abortion. BUT, they are NOTHING compared to this. NOTHING. That is not persecution, but only a small prick into our faith bubble. These people are going through intense persecution.

Hundreds of thousands of Christians and other religious minorities are being affected and must flee to avoid the inevitable: genocide. To see the pictures breaks my heart. To see the families speak to the news reporters on the TV hurts me inside. What is this coming to? What can I do to help these people? My brothers and sisters in Christ are being killed for their faith! There must be something I can do!

Well there is something we can all do and that is to pray. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Also, there are organizations that are sending supplies to them. Voice of the Martyrs is one of my favorite Christian non-profit organizations that I donate to. Use this link to donate money to help displaced Christian families in Iraq. They will put your monetary donations to great use by putting it exactly where it is needed!

And as I think about all this tragedy I know that it is not a battle between flesh and blood but in the spirit. There is more at work here than different religious groups fighting. It is a battle between the works of the devil and the works of God.

What must we do then!? Well if you continue reading in Ephesians 6 it tells us this:

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." Ephesians 6: 13-18 NIV

Prayer is the key here. We can do other things to help like donating money, but never say you can't do anything for the situation. Pray. Pray for our brothers and sisters who are in chains and being killed for their faith. If you can do nothing else, Pray.