I am not a big fan of the International Churches of Christ. I don’t think that’s a disputable fact. However, while in Rome, I became aware of a tiny church of seventeen ‘disciples’ in Iraq. My understanding is that these are not American servicemen, but Iraqi citizens.

I can only imagine the upheaveal in their lives since the war began, so I am asking for prayers for those 17. My understanding is that the Christians from Jordan and other countries returned home, but that the 17 left stayed at home. It just so happens their home is in Baghdad.

I was given a contact name to send encouragement to them and I am waiting to hear back. It is my hope that there is a way to send them encouragement to have faith in God and trust in Him during their ordeal.

It has also occurrred to me that there are American soldiers that are ICC members (82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, National Guard). I prayed since the war began that somehow two brothers did not shoot each other.

I am not anti-military and I pray for our troops. In the current politcal culture of the US where patriotism is increasingly becoming synonmous with religion, all I ask is What Would Jesus Do? I believe that he would pray for our enemies, the insurgents in Fallujah and Mosul, as well as Usama Bin Laden, himself. I believe he would pray for the Christians in Baghdad. I believe he would pray for the American and coalition servicemen as well.

Like I said, I am not a fan of the ICC. However, I am certain that these 17 souls do not have the luxury to discuss issues of polity and discipling – they are more busy staying alive in a war zone. I do pray that there is a way to stregthen these suffering Christians.