An Emergency
Call to Prayer
for the City
of Mosul
Samaritan’s
Purse is calling on churches across the UK to take part in an emergency call to
prayer for the Iraqi city of Mosul, ahead of the proposed offensive to retake
the city from ISIS.
Mosul is
Iraq’s second largest city and the primary remaining stronghold of ISIS in the
country. As preparations are made for the offensive the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warns that at least 700,000 residents from
Iraq’s second city and surrounding areas will need urgent assistance in the form
of food, shelter, water and medical support.
A recent
report from the UNCHR highlights the
struggle these people will face whilst leaving the city:14-year-old Ali and his
family fled Mosul recently, in a group of 23 people. The group were attacked
and he saw his neighbours shot dead. Only five of the group made it out, the
rest were captured or killed.
This story
is, unfortunately, an increasingly common example of the lengths ISIS are going
to in order to retain their grip on Mosul. The city is becoming increasingly
fortified, with lines of defence consisting of booby traps and suicide bombers
alongside ISIS gunmen. It is also becoming increasingly clear that ISIS intends
to use trafficked women as human shields.
Samaritan’s
Purse teams on the ground have been told to expect up to 200,000 people fleeing
Mosul in need of assistance and protection within the first 24-48 hours. As
such, our teams have been working non-stop to pre-position supplies in order to
respond to the looming humanitarian crisis and provide critical compassionate
and life-saving assistance to families in Jesus’ name.
Please take a
moment to lift up the city of Mosul and the nation of Iraq. Pray for God’s
guiding hand on the offensive and for the safe movement of families fleeing
their homes.
'Let us hold
fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is
faithful' Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)
May God Bless You,
Simon Barrington, Executive Director
Samaritan's Purse UK
