Christians Pray as Iraqi Expatriates Begin Voting

While elated Iraqi expatriates in the United States began voting Friday, in Iraq’s first independent election in more than 50 years, Christian evangelicals urged the faithful to pray vigilantly for the protection of those who are partaking in the historic event overseas.

“On behalf of the Southern Baptist Convention, I would like to call for two days of prayer and fasting on Jan. 30 and 31,” said Rev. Bobby Welch, president of the Southern Baptist Convention in a Jan. 26 statement to Baptist Press. “Due to requests from our chaplains and missionaries in Iraq, we need to dedicate these days to praying that democracy would be realized in Iraq, the people of Iraq will be safe and will vote, and especially for the safety of our troops.”

In the weeks culminating with the historic election, insurgents have upped the violence by attacking polling stations and setting up car bombs. In the last two days alone, at least 60 people have been killed in a spate of attacks across the countries, in addition to the Wednesday helicopter crash that killed 31 US marines in Western Iraq.

In light of such dangers, Welch urged Christians to pray for “spiritual intervention” for the soldiers.

“Our men will be involved in extraordinary dangers, tasks and pressures as they deliver voting ballots and equipment to villages and cities throughout Iraq,” Welch said. “This is a political battle that very much needs spiritual intervention. Our men are in the arena of the enemy. God bless our soldiers.”

Bob Wenz, president of the National Association of Evangelicals’ national ministries agreed that the safety of our soldiers and the Iraqi voters should top the list of prayers for evangelicals in the next few days.

“It’s not a safe world and Iraq is probably one of the least safe places to be,” said Wenz on Friday. “We need to pray that evil will be restrained and will ultimately be overcome by good.”

Wenz added that prayers are necessary at this historic occasion because self-governance is a right ordained by God.

“We believe that the right of self governance is a gift and something that ordained by God, and we believe all people should have the opportunity for self governance,” said Wenz. “Because God ordained it, it is always appropriate to seek God’s favor for protection and self governance by praying.”

In Washington, the Christian Defense Coalition organized a Jan. 28 prayer vigil for freedom and democracy.

“We urge all Christians and people of good will to unite for a time of prayer and fasting concerning God’s protection and blessing over the Iraqi elections,” said Rev. Patrick Mahoney, president of the Christian Defense Coalition. “Regardless of one’s past views of the war, it is essential that differences be put aside as Americans pray for freedom and democracy to take hold in Iraq and for the violence to end.”

President George W. Bush meanwhile declared that “freedom is on the march” on Friday.

“Freedom is on the march, and the world is better for it,” Bush said. “The advent of democracy in Iraq will serve as a powerful example to reformers throughout the entire Middle East,” Bush said.

Bush also applauded the millions of Iraqis who are planning to brave the insurgents’ death threats by voting.

“We applaud the courage of ordinary Iraqis for their refusal to surrender their future to these killers,” Bush said.

The long-awaited Iraqi-election process, which began today with the votes of Iraqi expatriates in 14 countries, will culminate on Sunday when the nation’s Iraqis will come vote at some 5,300 polling centers.

Iraqis are voting for an interim assembly, which is then to write a constitution for the country.

Pauline J. Chang pauline@christianpost.com

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