A mosque in Iraq
A mosque in Iraq
Oct. 26, 2023 | Iraq

Christian Student Murdered by Former Friends

[159] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Christians in Iraq.

One day in May 2023, an Iraqi pastor answered his phone, not knowing it would be the last call he would receive from a young Christian friend. On the line was a university student who had recently converted from Islam. Some of the student’s former friends had arrived at his home, saying, “We know about your new faith. We are going to give you a chance to come back.” The group told him he could claim not to believe in any god, but he could not remain a Christian. The assailants gave him 24 hours to recant, or they would kill him. They allowed him one phone call, so he called his pastor, who prayed for him and told him the decision was his alone. The pastor also reminded him of the eternal hope and home awaiting all followers of Christ. The young man said he would share the good news of Christ with his former friends and remain faithful. He was executed for his faith the next day.

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Write your own prayer for Christians in Iraq

  • Dear LORD, i pray the last day of this man's life was full of hope & the joy of knowing your redeeming love for him, & that he saw eternity with you. May these men not have peace till they come to the cross of salvation. May they know forgiveness of all their sins, so that satan would be thwarted in their lives. We wait for you, Lord Jesus! Amen.
    Shelly D - USA
  • Lord reward this great saint and let us aspire to be like him in his courage and love.
    Margaret D - USA
  • Heavenly Father, Glory and Honor all belongs to You. We praise You and worship You. For who You are. Thank You Lord Jesus for blessing us with their testimony and obedience to the faith. We pray for the salvation of all those involved in this believers persecution. In Jesus Precious name, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit Amen.
    Alvin A - USA
  • DEAR ABBA FATHER, JESUS CHRIST AND PRECIOUS HOLY SPIRIT we Intercede protection and spreading the Gospel for the students at the University who are Christians and Salvation for the ones who murdered the Christian student to be saved , they would come to know YOU as THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD. We Intercede for the pastor's protection when helping others.
    Carolyn A - USA
  • Father, thank you for the witness of this young man. May the gospel seeds he planted in those who killed him take root and grow so others come to faith in Jesus. Give courage and strength to those who follow Jesus in Iraq. Thank you. Amen.
    Vicki Y - USA
  • Thank You Father God and Lord Jesus Christ for seeing to the needs of Your people.
    christine s - USA
  • In the powerful name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, God of Love, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You that Iraqi Christians contend for the faith. We ask for provision, for a hedge of protection, angels direct from heaven to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Lord I weep with this student who lost his life because of his faith, but I praise You for his courage and his strength. I don't even know what to pray Lord but I pray that You would hold his family and that You would somehow comfort them. I pray for the pastor who talked with him and for the mental and emotional weight of that conversation
    Joy H - USA
  • Lord,
    We thank You for this brother in Iraq and his courage in the face of death threats to follow Christ no matter what. We know that he is with You and entered the eternal, everlasting gift of salvation in Jesus. Death is swallowed up in victory! You have already won the battle and we look forward to Your return. May others have the same courage.
    Lysander S - USA
  • In the comforting name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, God of all Comfort, as brothers and sisters in Christ we praise You for faithfulness of Christians in Iraq. We ask for provision, for a hedge or protection, angels direct from heaven to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Thank You Lord for this day that You've given us. I pray that Christians in Iraq such as this student would be safe and that we are grateful that they have started to believe in You and that they will always be persecuted but You, Lord, keep them safe. I pray that You'd keep them safe. Amen (6th grade).
    Jessica L - Peru
  • God, I pray that the family of the student who was killed will also believe in You. I also pray for his friends that killed him, that they would believe in You too (5th grade).
    Jessica L - Peru
  • Dear God, thank You for this day. Today I pray for Iraq and for the young man who was killed. May he rest in Heaven and I hope that that situation never happens again. Amen (8th grade)
    Jessica L - Peru
  • Dear God, I pray that more people would start believing and having faith in Jesus in Iraq. Give them food and everything they need and the best that You have for them. Amen (7th grade)
    Jessica L - Peru
  • Dear Father, Thank You for this dear young man's persistent faith and obedience. I pray that his courage and faithfulness to You will touch the hearts of his killers, and that Your Holy Spirit will convict each of them with the truth of Jesus Christ as the one true God. In Jesus' name, amen.
    Lynne W - USA
  • Dear God. I believe this young man in now in Your presence. It still is difficult to hear this news. I pray for his family that they will see that his faith was true. I pray his loss of life on earth will result in saved souls. I pray that a massive revival will result from his death. In Jesus name. Amen.
    John S - USA
  • Jesus, please have mercy. My heart breaks to hear this. Thank you that you did recieve him to your kingdom, but we pray for those who killed him to be convicted by your Holy Spirit, reminded of the words spoken, and to come to faith in you. For the sake of this brother who lost his life, I pray for you to do whatever it takes for them to know you.
    Heather H - USA
  • Lord Jesus, have mercy on those who killed this young man and save them for Your name's sake and the love of the Holy Ghost. Save the people of Iraq because You do not want any to perish. In Your name and by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
    Sarah A - USA
  • Wow, may we all learn to have this kind of faith always. Praise God for this young man. I know he is at rest with you Lord. I pray for those who executed him, speak to them Lord, help them find their way to you, the only place of peace, rest, hope and eternal life. In Jesus name, amen.
    Nancy H - USA
  • In the intercessory name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, El Shema, Lord of prayers, as brothers and sisters in Christ we praise You for faithfulness of Christians in Iraq. We ask for prayer for, a hedge of protection, and angels direct from heaven to be with them. Amen.
    Gary F - USA
  • Merciful loving Father, Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ for the hope that is in You Forgive those who murdered their friend for loving You & refusing to recant his faith. Soothe his loved ones in their loss. Help other Christians in Iraq to stand firm in their faith & find favor despite persecution they might face in their community In Jesus name Amen
    Robert C - Canada
  • Our Father, may the death of our brother be a witness to those who need Jesus as their savior. May those who killed him be filled with shame, and seek forgiveness for what they have done. In Jesus' name, Amen
    Elizabeth S - USA
  • Thank You for the faithfulness of this young man and his desire to follow You no matter the cost. Help his witness to his friends eventually bring them to follow You. Help his family and pastor find comfort in the grief of losing him and help this testimony of his faith bring strength and encouragement to follow You no matter the cost of our lives.
    Cynthia H - USA
  • Dear Father, who is above all and merciful, I know this young man is with You now. I pray for All Your children in Iraq and all other Muslim countries. Protect them and please by Your Holy Spirit keep them safe physically and spiritually in Jesus name Amen
    Peggy A - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Iraq: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Open the hearts of those around them to the Gospel, including radicalized Islamists. I praise You for the young, martyred man & for all like him! Amen.

    Lisa D - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for Christians in Iraq: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Open the hearts of those around them to the Gospel, including radical Islamists. I praise You for the young, martyred man & for all those like him! Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Iraq: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Bring those around them, including radicalized Islamists, to repentance & faith. I praise You for the young, martyred man & for all like him! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Use our brother's total commitment of loving not his life, even unto death, to speak to his former friends. To those who knew him, who watched him, who understood his dreams and plans. And saw his willingness to abandon all of those things for the pearl of great price. Cause his final words to ring in their ears and bring the conviction of the Spirit.
    Toni D - USA
  • Father, I thank You that this young man stayed faithful to You and is in Heaven with You now and forever. Comfort his family and this pastor and may his death and witness bring many to You. I pray that the young people who did this will repent and believe in You because of this man's courage and devotion to You. In Jesus' Name.
    Margaret H - USA
  • Father God, Please comfort the family, friends, and Pastor of this young martyr. Thank You for the faith, strength, and courage You gave him and that he is now with You. Please bring his killers to realization and repentance for what they have done. May they too seek to serve You in truth. In Jesus' name, Amen
    Rena B - USA
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