Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August

cortanyfish
Senior Delegate

Posts: 64

Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 9, 2014 14:32:56 GMT

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Post by cortanyfish on Aug 9, 2014 14:32:56 GMT

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for suggestions and ideas on ways to make it possible to organise an event (or a number of simultaneous smaller events) in Toowoomba to support the Christians and other minority groups in Iraq. Their pleas for help have fallen on deaf ears while enduring the most unspeakable and deplorable acts of violence and persecution at the hands of IS ( Islamic State). The Christian group " Open Doors" have announced they'll be holding an event on the 23rd, August. I would love to take part in this or something similar here in Toowoomba as I feel strongly compelled to take the opportunity to participate.
This Tether forum has been set up to allow for people to share thoughts and ideas in order to formulate and combine these thoughts and ideas. So can I encourage you to add your ideas and thoughts here for later reference. Or if you know of an event please add it here.
Cort

The post below is from Open Doors

This is a link to their Facebook page

Iraq is in urgent need of prayer.

We invite you join Open Doors in sending a Shockwave of Prayer from Australia to Iraq. We will stand united as the body of Christ and raise up our suffering brothers and sisters.

Christians in Iraq are facing severe persecution, with a mass exodus from cities and towns as the extremist group IS (Islamic State – formerly known as ISIS) increasingly taking control of areas in the north and north-west of the country. IS are clear about their aim - they want to make Iraq an Islamic State, governed by strict Sharia (Islamic) Law.

The major city of Mosul is now empty of Christians. Christian houses were marked with the symbol N (for Nazarene, or Christian in Arabic) as a sign of their occupants’ faith. IS told Christians to leave, convert to Islam, pay a protection tax or face death. On 8th August, news came that the town of Qaraqosh – Iraq’s largest Christian city – has also been seized by IS, along with a number of other towns, forcing thousands of Christians to flee. Once again, vast numbers of believers are on the move.

Now, in this intense hour of need, we must continue to pray and stand firm with our brothers and sisters in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.

How You Can Get Involved:
- We encourage you to organize a prayer event in your area, and share any public event on this event page so others can join.
- We will have prayer resources available closer to the day for you to download.
- On the 23rd August, Open Doors Australia Youth will be holding a Sydney prayer event at Epping Baptist Church, starting from 4pm. People of all ages are welcome to attend. Youth Event: www.facebook.com/events/259570570906053

Please tell us about your meetings! You can share your photos and stories with: #WeAreN #OpenDoorsAU #PersecutedChurch

Open Doors has been on the ground in Iraq and Syria for many years – and we will continue to “strengthen what remains.” Together, we are working with local churches in Iraq and Syria, to provide practical support to stand with them and empower Christians as they stay and share with others the love of Christ. Please join with us as we pray!

www.opendoors.org.au

Last Edit: Aug 12, 2014 0:21:32 GMT by cortanyfish

Thanks for your thoughts

cortanyfish
Senior Delegate

Posts: 64

Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 12, 2014 0:16:44 GMT anna likes this

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Post by cortanyfish on Aug 12, 2014 0:16:44 GMT

The following link is to a news article from the Open Doors website. It gives some terrible accounts of the suffering endured. Please don't let this suffering go unnoticed. We need to show our support and lift up our voices.

Qaraqosh falls, thousands flee

Thanks for your thoughts

Tennistoe Administrator Posts: 48	Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 12, 2014 1:41:11 GMT anna likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tennistoe on Aug 12, 2014 1:41:11 GMT This is the latest from Day of Prayer for Iraq, Facebook page. Lets put some ideas together and hold an event here Facebook link
	Thanks for your thoughts

cortanyfish Senior Delegate Posts: 64	Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 13, 2014 0:37:46 GMT anna likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by cortanyfish on Aug 13, 2014 0:37:46 GMT St Luke's Toowoomba have notified that they are considering this event. Thank you, The Revd. Dr Jonathan Inkpin for your interest
	Thanks for your thoughts

Tennistoe Administrator Posts: 48	Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 14, 2014 0:51:42 GMT anna likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tennistoe on Aug 14, 2014 0:51:42 GMT I have the greatest news. St Luke's has confirmed that they are willing to host the event. ATM I'm floored and overwhelmed as there is much to do.
	Thanks for your thoughts

anna
Junior Delegate

Posts: 48

Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 14, 2014 7:40:14 GMT

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Post by anna on Aug 14, 2014 7:40:14 GMT

Wonderful news re: St Luke's being willing to host the event. God is good.

I am sure as you link in with others you will find it all will happen. Just need to get the dialogue going with them.

It is great to see people reaching out to each other and to pray together for His persecuted church.

cortanyfish
Senior Delegate

Posts: 64

Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 14, 2014 13:14:37 GMT anna likes this

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Post by cortanyfish on Aug 14, 2014 13:14:37 GMT

Here is the latest, by tomorrow there will be a Facebook event page that people can join. Yay!! Also I have submitted the final draft email to Jonathan for his approval. This email will be sent out to Christian church organisations and prayer groups around the entire Toowoomba district. So much has happened in a very short space of time, and I can feel Gods presents and his guidance that is opening doors and hearts. I believe that God has given me something that he gives to all of us, it's called an opportunity to grab onto God and never let go. As a Christian I will always be humble, always be listening and always seek his works.
Matthew 5:3-12

Jesus said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Amen

Thanks for your thoughts

cortanyfish
Senior Delegate

Posts: 64

Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 20, 2014 3:07:09 GMT anna likes this

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Post by cortanyfish on Aug 20, 2014 3:07:09 GMT

It's been a busy few day trying to organise things, but it's all worth it. Music is done, PowerPoint and posters nearly done, radio interview tomorrow @ 10:00 and then it's fine tuning and set up for the big day. I'm so very glad I have had the opportunity to be involved in something that is very close to my heart.

Thanks for your thoughts

cortanyfish Senior Delegate Posts: 64	Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 24, 2014 2:20:44 GMT anna likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by cortanyfish on Aug 24, 2014 2:20:44 GMT Thank you all for your support of this day. It's a privilege for us to live in this great country.
	Thanks for your thoughts

cortanyfish
Senior Delegate

Posts: 64

Day of prayer for Iraq, 23 August Aug 26, 2014 12:10:18 GMT anna likes this

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Post by cortanyfish on Aug 26, 2014 12:10:18 GMT

Fellow greetings,

I've been given an opportunity to write an article for OneChurch News about the Day of Prayer. It took some time and with some fine tuning from close family, I can now reveal to you in Tether Tether Land.

Iraq is in Urgent Need of Prayer
by Cort Hepworth

"Iraq is in urgent need of prayer". These are the words that initiated an Australian wide 'Day of Prayer for Iraq', where people from many faiths across our nation united together in prayer.

It has been estimated that 1.2 million people (about half the population of Brisbane) from Iraq and Syria have been displaced since the Islamic State (IS) aka ISIS, ISIL started their efforts to establish a caliphate. A caliphate works as a governing body or region over the entire Islamic religion. The caliph is the supreme ruler and dictates to all Muslims. This IS movement has led to the death of thousands of people, mainly Christians and other minority groups, that have been murdered or have perished while fleeing to try and find safe refuge.

When I heard about this, I felt deeply troubled and compelled to do something to raise its awareness within our community. One day I read about Open Doors, an international Christian organisation that had created an event called 'Day of Prayer for Iraq', at the Epping Baptist Church, NSW. Realising the potential I sent out one email to 25 local churches hoping to find a venue for the Day of Prayer for Iraq in Toowoomba. Revd Dr. Jonathan Inkpin of St Luke's Anglican Church responded, stating he would gladly donate his time and use of the church to this cause. He also added that his heart is heavy for the people of Iraq as he had also received testimony of horrific reports from churches in Iraq.

"Our hearts are torn by their pain & sorrow. We pray that Gods love and power will transform that situation for the good". - Revd Dr. Jonathan Inkpin.

Saturday 23/8/2014, Day of Prayer for Iraq. Twenty people from different churches in Toowoomba gathered together at St Luke's church to pray for the people of Iraq.

On entering the church people were offered a leaflet and a small prayer stone to hold during prayer. The service began with the reminder that if one part suffers every part suffers with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). Music was played gently in the background while we prayed either on our own or with others near us. Pictures also scrolled on the screens showing scenes of Iraqi people, culture, country, providing a visual aide to focus our prayers.

Revd Jonathan directed the meeting with particular prayer points provided by Open Doors. We prayed firstly with thanksgiving to God for the church in Iraq. Our prayers continued with focus on the crisis situation, for the Islamic state militants and their sympathisers, for the leaders and the wider community and for the future of the church in Iraq. The scriptural readings chosen to lead each prayer point included Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes, Psalm 13, Psalm 62, Matthew 25:34-46, and Romans 12.

Towards the end of the meeting we were invited to place our stones at the foot of the cross to symbolically leave our prayers with Jesus. The meeting concluded with photos taken that would be forwarded to Iraq through Open Doors.

"It was a time to mourn with those that mourn and I could feel the pain of those who are suffering, our brothers & sisters in Iraq". - Molly Joshi

"It was particularly moving, I think, just to see the faces of a few people from that region to see them receiving aid and how important that is to them".- Revd Penny Inkpin

The Iraqi people still needs our support, there are many things that you can do.
Pray- As Christians this is one of our most powerful tools.
Be Informed- Find and read information about what's happening, better understanding leads to praying more specifically and compassionately.
Give- Donations have a direct impact. Open Doors & Anglican Overseas Aid have specific funds and people on the ground right now.
Tell Their Story- Help break the silence, share stories, talk about it with your friends and your community. Visit the Open Doors website and purchase a t-shirt #WeAreN, (see photo) or change your Facebook profile picture to the Nazarene symbol (see photo)

These desperate people need to hear our voices, to know that they are not forgotten and they need to know they are on our hearts and in our prayers.

"If we would understand the potential power of our prayers, we would be on our knees a hundred times a day and ask Him things that would turn the world upside down."- Brother Andrew, founder Open Doors.