Two separate bombs struck churches in Mosul, Iraq on the morning of December 23. At approximately 11:00 a.m., a bomb was detonated near the Syrian Orthodox church of St. Thomas. Elsewhere in the city, three people were killed -- one Christian and two Muslims -- when a bomb hidden in a cart of vegetables exploded outside the Chaldean church of St. George. These attacks are the latest in a series of bombings in the city in recent months, including incidents on November 26 (click here for more details) and December 15 (click here for more information on that incident). The recent bombings, just two days before Christmas, have intensified fears among Mosul's Christian community, yet many Iraqi believers remain unshaken in their commitment to serving Christ. "The message of peace and hope announced by angels remains our best wishes for Christmas for the entire country," said Louis Sako, the archbishop of Kirkuk. "We want to work together to build peace and hope in the hearts of all men and women of Iraq." (Sources: AsiaNews, AFP)
Pray for those who have lost loved ones in these attacks. Pray for healing for those injured. Pray that the presence and peace of Jesus will sustain Iraqi believers and compel them to share God's Truth with their Muslim neighbours.
For more information on the suffering of Iraqi Christians, click here.