Violence Targets Iraqi Christians

There has been a recent surge in violence against Christians in northern Iraq. At least three Christians have been killed near the city of Mosul this week.

A gunman opened fire on two university students on Tuesday, killing one Assyrian Christian.

Also, earlier this week, two other believers died in separate attacks.

The attacks have been linked to Iraq's upcoming parliamentary elections.

Christians make up less than three percent of Iraq's population, but radical Muslims want to isolate them and drive them from the country.

"What can we say?" asked Bishop Shlemon Warduni, the second-most-senior Chaldean bishop in Iraq.

"We are very sad. The government is looking at what is going on, it is speaking, but doing nothing," he told AFP.

Roughly half of Iraq's Christian population, about 500,000 people, has fled the country since 2003

Clinton Calls on Muslims to Support Religious Freedom

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is challenging the world's Muslim leaders. She says they should allow freedom of worship, stop religious violence and the oppression of women.

"There is never a justification for violence against women," she said. "It is not cultural. It is criminal." Clinton issued her challenge at the U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Qatar.

Many Islamic countries have called for an international ban on blasphemy. However, Clinton says the U.S. stands for both freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

She has also called on religious leaders to end the practice of honor killings and child marriages.

The Secretary said the U.S. joins many of the world's Muslims in voicing "outrage at those who claim to kill in the name of God."

Many [are] my persecutors and mine enemies; [yet] do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:157

When Shortage of Rain Meets Abundance of Faith

A few years after half the U.S. was plagued by drought, a new survey shows 92 percent of the country is now drought free.

It's the most dramatic turnaround in the nation's drought picture on record. Even the researchers were astounded by the report. But for those who prayed for rain, it's another example of God's love and power.

Three years ago, cities on both coasts were rationing water because of the crippling effects of drought. However, there was not a shortage of prayer.

A few years ago, at Georgia's Lake Lanier, the lake was so low, you could walk out on the bottom. "Lord, let it rain," one Georgia minister prayed.

God answered his prayer and the prayers of many others and, today, there's plenty of water for everyone. In fact, government leaders say there is now too much water.

"Well, we've gotten rain, and more rain, and it kept raining, and now we're full," said Tim Rainey, operations manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A similar phenomenon occurred in Texas one year ago when desperate residents prayed for relief from drought. Once again God answered and the rains poured down in Comal County.

One particular storm last summer appeared to be just the beginning. It was a welcome sight during one of the worst droughts on record in that area.

Hours after the rain stopped, people gathered for a prayer service. Former astronaut Charlie Duke says his wife, dotty, organized the service. She had been praying for rain for several weeks.

"We got a shower, came in and the Lord's showing what he's going to do," Dotty prayed. Charlie joined in, "I pray that God would break the drought not only in Comal County but all over south Texas.

Texas Mayor Bruce Boyer said, "I know one thing that we don't have a drought of and that is faith in this community."

It appears God honored the faith of people all over the country.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8