My friends there has been some progress in Tikrit but it seems to have stalled. It is important that we continue to pray that IS will be overcome in this region. It is crucial because of the placement of this city.

I was reading the news regarding this area last night while eating dinner and last night it seemed as if Iraq was gaining ground against IS. I was prepared to launch a praise blog until I read that the progress had been stalled as of this morning. I am not sure what we are doing to help the Iraqi’s in this effort but it seems as if we should at least be giving air support.

Then this morning I scanned the BBC and I burst into tears because of what happened in Pakistan. In the city of Lahore, 2 Christian churches were bombed by suicide bombers. These people were just going to church. Christians are only 2% of the population in Pakistan, why the Muslims seem to be threatened by them is totally beyond my comprehension.

I have met a Muslim from Pakistan and she became a good friend of mine. I know it is not all Muslims which act like barbarians. She was a very sweet woman and every time I came into her home to take care of her father-in-law she offered me food. At times I accepted and the food was delicious. So for me to consider Muslims as an evil population is impossible, I know they are not all evil.

It is our privilege as Christians to intercede for those which are persecuted and martyred. In Ephesians 6:18 the Word of our God says, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Please pray for Christians in the Middle East. We are so blessed to be able to worship without fear. Pray that they will soon be blessed in the same way.

To those who are in Pakistan, my heart is broken for you and my tears flow freely. It is as if a child of mine has been brutally murdered. I will beg God to protect you and to heal your hearts from your grief. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.