(Update: 05-20-08)

Friends, I wrote the article that follows at the outset of the Iraq War, and I just can't put it away. In May of 2003, when our government announced it had "won" this war and unfurled its famous “Mission Accomplished” banner, I said, "Not so fast." It seemed clear to me that Iraqi liberation would involve far more than some military operation.

I believe the following article remains timely. Are we in a quagmire in Iraq, or are our policies finally paying off? Really, it depends upon whom you talk to.  

One thing is for sure, we are still at war, and people are still fighting and dying. Our soldiers deserve our support, most essentially our prayers. In fact, people, we should all see ourselves as soldiers enlisted in God’s end-time prayer army.

War is never easy -- neither on the material nor on the spiritual plane. Nevertheless, we should see ourselves and conduct ourselves as those who are in it for the duration. This is our calling; this moment in history is our own. We each have an assignment; we dare not fail in that assignment; we dare not fail in our mission.

I believe that God has thrown open a unique window of opportunity for the church, and that with our strategic prayers, ruling demonic strongholds over Iraq can be cast down. Perhaps you will totally agree with my perspective; perhaps you will not fully agree; perhaps you will think I am whacky. I certainly don’t claim to walk in the whole counsel of God, and I am certainly open to correction. One thing, however, that I think we can all agree on is that a spiritual battle rages for Iraq's future (now so linked to our own), and that the hour cries for our passionate prayers.

Thanks so much for taking your time to ponder the issues raised in the article below. At the end of this article, you will find prayer points. I hope you will join me in strategic prayer for Iraq. We ALL have to pray this through until we hear our Lord and King say, “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.”

THIS MEANS WAR!

How to Pray for Iraq -- A Strategic "Battle Plan"

(Written 2003 by Cheryl Ford; Updated 07-07-07)

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. . . . For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 3:10 & 6:12

Some time ago, I, along with others in my church, completed a 40-day season of 24/7 prayer and fasting. During this period, at least one person covered each and every hour in our designated church prayer room. It was an exciting time, and we definitely saw increased spiritual intensity in and about us.

Much preferring to focus on our awesome God, I am not the type to look for demons under every bush. However, one day during this 40-day season as I was praying, I felt a jab of pain hit my head. I knew instinctively that this wasn't just physical but some kind of a spiritual dart I was being assaulted with. So I sat up and told the devil to go in Jesus' name. I didn't know what demonic messenger had come to harass me, but -- I know this sounds strange! -- immediately the words "Prince of Persia" popped into my mind. Just as quickly, I remembered the account in the book of Daniel concerning such an entity. I felt strongly that the Holy Spirit was communicating something to me. I also knew it related to my prayers for our country's war with Iraq.

"Where is Persia?" I wondered. I had a rough idea that it meant Iran. Looking it up, though, I learned that at its peak, the Persian empire reached from India to Greece, and from the Caspian Sea to the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. That means it included Iraq.

I went to the book of Daniel to refresh my memory. Let me take you there, too. In Chapter 10, we find Daniel praying and fasting subsequent to a vision he received. After three weeks of seeking God, he stands on the Tigris River, when suddenly an astonishing "man" appears before him. Daniel reports that "his body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude."

Upon seeing this being, Daniel confesses, "I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless" (10:6, 9). Terrified, he collapses with his face to the ground.

The heavenly visitor proceeds to reassure Daniel, saying, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them" (10:12).

Next, he pushes back the curtain and shows Daniel a bit of the behind-the-scenes spiritual action going on in the heavenly places. He explains, "The prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come. . . ." (10:13-14).

Evidently, while Daniel fasted and prayed, a spiritual battle of great magnitude ensued wherein a powerful demonic adversary succeeded in hindering this messenger from God, effectively preventing the answer to Daniel's prayer. Finally, however, the mighty archangel Michael arrived on the scene to help combat the enemy spirit. Together, they had finally broken through the wall of resistance enough for Daniel to receive his revelation.

After this victory, however, the warfare did not end. Daniel's angelic friend further explains, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come. . . . there is no one with me who contends against these princes except Michael, your prince" (10:20-21).

Clear as mud? Although I have little understanding of all that went on here, several things strike me about this account:

First, Daniel had been praying and fasting for 21 days before God's message could reach him. His prayers had precipitated the sending of the messenger, and, no doubt his prayers had helped bring the breakthrough against the demonic strongholds.

Second, this heavenly visitor was no junior angel. In fact, Daniel had met the angel Gabriel before (8:15-17 & 9:21), and though he was terrified at first sight, he still failed to describe him in the magnificent terms we see here in Chapter 10. This particular being is either an angel of superior rank, the likes of the archangel Michael, or possibly even God's Son, Himself.

Third, evidently, various power centers of the world have powerful evil spirits assigned over them to oppose God's forces and to promote evil among the people. Somehow the ruling spirit over the Persian Empire -- "the prince of Persia" -- was powerful enough to withstand God's mighty messenger for 21 days and require the assistance of a second mighty angel, Michael.

Fourth, spiritual warfare is inescapably real. God's Word here describes unrelenting conflict involving the "big guns" of opposing spiritual kingdoms.

Interestingly, Michael is mentioned in scripture in only one context -- that of warfare. We see him later in the same book fighting in the end times: "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. . . ." (Dan 12:1). We also find him warring in the book of Revelation as he leads his angelic battalions against satan and his legions: "And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back" (Rev 12:7).

God's Word calls satan "the god of this world." As such, he has a well-structured kingdom. From Daniel's testimony, we can gather that an evil angel called the "prince of Persia" was a principal angel under satan himself, assigned as a ruling spirit over the Persian provinces. Owning the earthly government, this creature used it to control the people of Persia. Also, he used his influence, as we see in this account, to oppose God's purposes and defeat His people.

So what am I getting at here? This: I believe that whether it takes a short or a long time for our military to complete its work in Iraq, the real war will continue to rage. God wants to emphasize that the current war reflects a much greater cosmic struggle. God's armies and satan's are clashing over Iraq. (Please hear me: I am not saying that America's armies necessarily represent God. I do believe, however, that our cause is a just one and that God can use them to support God's purposes to liberate the oppressed people of Iraq.)

Obviously, there is nothing new about conflicts in this region, whether on earth or in the heavenlies. Here's what I see as new, however: First, our government is bent on seeing this transfer of government through to the end. Second, this comes at a time when perhaps more Christians in our country have been roused to battle in prayer for Iraq ("Persia") than ever before. Third, there are perhaps more Christians than ever before (soldiers, contract and aid workers, and even some reporters) tramping Iraqi soil and, hopefully, praying as they go. Clearly, God has a purpose here!

I wrote the following just after Saddam was toppled from power:

Is Saddam gone now? We can only guess. I do believe that God has sent orders concerning him: "The time has come for this despot's reign of terror to end!" Nevertheless, Saddam's departure can only mean the start of Iraq's deliverance. As brutal as Saddam is (or was!), the wicked prince of Persia is vastly more wicked and is still around. And he did not begin his rule 24 years ago with Saddam. Ending this current regime does NOT spell this spirit's dislodgement.

Our government can claim air supremacy over Iraq, it can declare its tightening grip on the entire country, it can promise a new and just way of governing Iraq. But it does not take into account the prince of Persia. This spirit has had its own brand of air supremacy, its own tight grip, and its own way of governing for thousands of years. And he will continue unabated -- unless, of course, this really is the hour when God's people, having come to understand the spiritual realities over this tragic land, rise to the occasion and pray fervently until God's angelic hosts break through with the necessary spiritual victory.

And this is exactly what God wants! God's Word says, For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves (Col 1:13). Can you see how God wants to rescue the Iraqi people from the dominion of darkness, too? Can you see the spiritual conflict for their hearts and minds? God says He wants to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. . . . (Acts 26:18). I believe God is saying that satan has had the Persian territories for far too long and that it is time for a cataclysmic spiritual regime change! It won't happen without the church getting much more militant in our prayers, both for our country and for Iraq. Several years later, at the expense of thousands of U.S. lives and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives (not to mention tens of thousands of U.S. wounded) we see how true this is.

Of Himself, Christ claimed, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, (Matt 28:18). Of us, He claimed, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (Luke 10:19). We can know that we have authority to pray and fast as Daniel did and to expect results.

If we pray properly, we will strengthen God's warring angels in their battle against evil principalities and powers; we will punch holes in the dark spiritual atmosphere for God's light to penetrate through; and we will help clear the way for the establishment of God's will on earth as it is in heaven. Our prayers literally have power to change history!

Might it be that God is rousing an army of intercessors to pray for the people of Iraq in this hour? Might it be that God is using the evil of war to bring about unspeakable good? Might it be that God has even chosen this time in human history to dislodge the evil prince of Persia's power over that region? Might it be that the precious souls of Iraq will finally be freed to hear and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ without restraint? Might it be that Iraq will be the staging area for God to sweep the entire Middle East with His truth? Might it be that the giant cult of Islam will finally be cast down? Though it seems impossible, we serve an awesome and loving God who will go to any length to reach lost and hurting people.

Christ promised, And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matt 24:14). That word "preached" means "to publish and proclaim openly as a herald." Let's pray for that kind of liberty in Iraq and for the entire Middle East. THEN the end will come -- MARANATHA!

Can we catch a vision, a radical vision, of what our God and His amazing grace can do today? Let's catch the vision and give ourselves to it. Amen!

HOW SHOULD WE THEN PRAY? HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES:

Let's humble ourselves and repent.

We must not pray proud, presumptuous prayers. Daniel was commended for seeking understanding and for humbling himself before God. Let's repent and ask God to forgive our own individual sins. Only cleansed hearts can pray powerful prayers. Let's also repent on behalf of our national sins (see Daniel's example in Daniel 9:3-7). This is hardly a time for nationalistic pride. It is a time for brokenness. We, too, are a sinful nation, guilty of atrocities, including flagrantly killing more than 40,000,000 of our unborn offspring. Only righteousness can prevail against the gates of hell, and we must plead God's cleansing mercy over our nation. Pray that God uses this war to bring spiritual awakening to our nation.

Let's pray for our troops and their commanders.

Pray that God will protect them, not only from bullets but from coming under the aegis of the prince of Persia. Pray that they will act justly and humanely, treating innocent people compassionately and with dignity. Pray that God gives commanders strategic insight into how to complete their task victoriously. Pray that our military will rely on God's grace and guidance, knowing that American technology, armaments, diplomacy, and enterprise cannot resolve Iraq's deep issues. Let's pray, too, for the commander-in-chief (our president), for his protection and that he and his advisers will rely upon God's grace and wisdom and honor Him.

Let's pray for the nation and people of Iraq.

Pray that terrorism will stop. Pray that the Iraqi people will resist anarchy and bloodletting and that a just government will be established. Pray that people will not turn against the Christian community. Pray that the Iraqi people will want to become "free indeed," that they will embrace the Gospel of Christ. Pray for God's grace and mercy to sweep Iraq, breaking the spiritual shackles that have for so long kept her multitudes spiritually imprisoned. Pray that the demonic prince of Persia cannot stick around to usher in a Muslim stronghold to rule post-war Iraq. We must pray against the eventuality of Iraq falling to Islamic Sharia law, something that would bring further spiritual disaster. God wants to see Islam defeated. We must pray that this war will result in freedom, blessing, order, and prosperity for the Iraqi people but most of all that the Gospel of Jesus will advance unhindered.

Let's pray in faith.

Remember that nothing is impossible for our God. Not many years ago, President Reagan, cried, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Little reported was the fact that a multitude of Christians around the world had been crying in God's ear not only for the Berlin wall to come down but the entire Iron Curtain. God did it! We must believe He can tear down the "Muslim Curtain," as well.

Let's pray NOW.

This is an URGENT moment. That the shaping and defining of Iraq's government is taking place right now means that our prayers CANNOT wait. Because of present realities, our government bends over backwards not to offend Muslim sensitivities. We must fight in prayer NOW for an Iraqi government that is friendly to God's purposes. With a population 60% Shiite Muslim, democracy with majority rule is NOT a good enough solution! We want a government where Christians and other minorities are allowed their seat at the table.

Ominous signs: American Muslims, fearing Christian evangelistic efforts in Iraq, have protested the intent of some Christian humanitarian agencies to send relief workers to Iraq. Various nations, not to mention the United Nations, jockey for a stake in this oil-rich land. Institutions are also charting their goals for the new Iraq, including Planned Parenthood, which sees huge need there for their brand of "reproductive health care assistance." Indeed, THIS is the time, church, for us to "bomb" Iraq with our loving and fervent prayers.

Let's pray relentlessly.

There is a human tendency to let our prayers fall off as time drags on. Saddam is gone, our anxiety has passed, we've got to get on with our lives, so let's go back to business as usual. Or: We've prayed hard for spiritual victory in Iraq, things look bad, it's not happening, so let's give up.

No, we have got to keep pressing in! We must keep our goal in sight and pray, pray, pray. If the answers to our prayers fail to come quickly or easily, it may be due to evil forces holding them back. Don't forget the prince of Persia, and, if you want a New Testament example of spiritual resistance, just look at Paul's lament to the Thessalonian church: For we wanted to come to you -- certainly I, Paul, did, again and again -- but Satan stopped us (1 Thes 2:18). How did Paul respond to this problem? He testifies, Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again. . . . (1 Thes 3:10). Like Daniel and like Paul in the face of unseen obstacles, we must persevere in prayer with resolute fervency. I believe that if we do this, the breakthrough will come. We must settle for nothing less than the shattering of Satan's stranglehold over Iraq.

Clearly, the battle rages on, and it must be won on our knees. We cannot expect our government or our military to win a spiritual war. God has called us to be the ones who stand in the gap between two dimensions. Only by our partnership in prayer can the battle be won in the heavenly realm that subsequently impacts the physical one.

To some, my ideas might seem ludicrous, belonging on the fiction shelf along with Peretti's, "This Present Darkness." But perhaps it is time to dig this spiritual warfare classic out again. Church, this is a time of destiny. It is time to actively engage ourselves in battle -- for the people of Iraq; for our troops there; and most especially, for God's eternal kingdom purposes.

The land of Iraq is replete with biblical history, starting with the creation of humankind. God most likely placed Adam and Eve within the Garden of Eden. There, satan tempted them and they fell. There, also, God offered the first hint of a coming Redeemer. The Tower of Babel was built and collapsed there. Abraham was born there. The ancient spectacular city of Babylon was situated there. Queen Esther saved her people there. Not only did Daniel have his visitation on the shore of the Tigris River, but the prophet Jonah preceded him there, preaching to the Assyrian capital, Nineveh. Today, this city's ruins sit on the Tigris River opposite the prominent Iraqi city of Mosul.

Think about it: Who, by any stretch of the imagination, would have dreamed that the Ninevites -- the cruelest people in the world -- would have repented at the preaching of one little prophet of God? Certainly not Jonah! Yet everyone from the least to the greatest did just that, proving that with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Let's believe it! Let's even believe for the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah's ASTONISHING prophecy: In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria [largely Iraq!]. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance" (Isaiah 19:23-25).

Hallelujah! What an awesome prospect for Iraq! May THIS be the glorious hour of fulfillment! Jesus taught us to pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Let's pray that the time has now come for God's will to be done on earth in Iraq. Let's birth this great move of God by crying out for Him to rain down mercy and deliverance on this land, so long wasted by satan's legions.

    Two questions remain: Have you enlisted? Will you persevere?

Perhaps you have heard the phrase "coalition of the willing" applied to the multi-national forces in Iraq. It's interesting to look at the statistics. America, of course, has always had the majority of forces there. Our original deployment was 250,000, followed by Great Britain's 45,000. As of June '07 those numbers had dropped to 165,000 and 5,500 respectively. Many other countries contributed some soldiers, maybe a few thousand, a few hundred, or far less. In the past few years, we've seen country after country either pare back their contribution or withdraw altogether. The "coalition of the willing" keeps shrinking!

Isn't that so much like the church? Don't we get excited about some new program or prayer effort but fizzle quickly? If we expect American soldiers to persevere, then surely we should feel responsibility to persevere for them in our prayers.

Our responsibility is enormous. Will you accept the assignment? Will you join us? Let's dig in together and fight!  

 

MORE STRATEGIC PRAYER POINTS FROM OPEN DOORS

I adapted this prayer list some a couple of years ago. Open Doors sent it out after the war began. I think it still remains applicable to the present situation:

What Iraqi Christians Want You to Pray for . . .

What to pray for:

The swift stabilization of the country. There is so little law and order in the big cities. People have not been paid for three months. Employment is needed so that normality can return. Iraq should be a rich country, with the second largest oil reserves in the world. But oil has been a curse, causing so much trouble. Pray it will become a blessing to the people.

Wise administration. Pray for those in charge of rebuilding Iraq that they will pick the right people for the job. Said an official, "It's so hard to know who to choose because so many are compromised by their previous associations with the Ba'ath Party. But they are often the only ones with experience of running essential services."

Safety for visiting Christians. It is still hazardous to move around the country. Aid teams are often attacked. Some church workers from abroad have already been robbed by gun-toting bandits. Pray that aid will get safely through and that the men of violence will soon be disarmed.

Hope for Iraqi Christians. Many Christians are depressed, despite having survived the war. They do not see any benefits from the change of regime. They barricade themselves in darkness in their homes each evening, fearful of persecution by Muslims.

Revival among the historic churches. Chaldean Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic -- just three of the ancient church traditions in Iraq that have stood though centuries of oppression. Pray that these churches will understand the Gospel in its fullness and be equipped with the power of God's Spirit.

Greater fire among the evangelical churches. Pray for special grace for them. They want God's Spirit to equip them with boldness, courage, and freedom to evangelize their Muslim neighbors. Pray for their protection.

A new moral culture. Christians say that extensive looting reveals that Iraqis are morally damaged from living under the oil embargo and the years of brutality under Saddam. There is a desperate need to re-educate the people in moral virtue.

What to pray against:

A spirit of fear. Many Iraqis have known nothing else than living under a tyrannical regime. Said a pastor, "Saddam Hussein is more than a man for us. He's a mighty demon. Until we see him in handcuffs, many people will live in fear that he will return again."

Shiite extremism. Iraq is 65 percent Shiite, and they were an oppressed group under Saddam. But now they are clamoring for power, and some of their hard-line clerics want sharia law to be imposed on the country. Most Shiites are not extremists, however, and we should remember that more Muslims than Christians suffer from Islamic fundamentalism.