Open Doors continues its work in Iraq despite dangers.

Iraq (MNN) — This week in Iraq, several different car bombs have killed more than 50 people and injured more than 100 people.

Many regions have become scenes of violence, hate and oppression. While the violence continues, Open Doors remains committed to doing ministry and helping churches in that hostile country.

It’s especially dangerous for Christians, who are a minority and targeted for persecution in that Muslim-dominated country. With the increase in persecution and terrorism, more than 100,000 Christians have fled from Iraq to countries like Syria, Jordan and Turkey since the start of the war in March of 2003. More than 250,000 Iraqi Christians have fled to Syria since the first Gulf War.

But for those believers who remain in Iraq, it’s a tough situation. There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 Christians in Iraq. The Open Doors team working in Iraq is made up of only local Christians. They’re working hard and doing well despite the tumultuous condition of the country. Mahmud is Open Doors’ field coordinator in Iraq. He says that life and work in Iraq are not easy. “We are grateful for the prayers of Open Doors’ supporters and the funds made available by them for Iraq,” Mahmud emphasizes.

Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller asks prayer for the Iraqi Christians facing this dilemma. “They are caught in the middle — do they stay and risk the lives of their families or do they flee to another country away from their churches and friends? Pray for these brave Christians.”

Pray for Christians in Iraq, for those who have experienced trauma and fled because of the violence, for those who want to leave but can’t, and for those who have chosen to stay and be a light in the midst of the darkness.