The Virginia Tech shotting was indeed a tragedy. The mayhem that this individual cuased is unbearable. I am sure many of us Christians have thought about who are the Cho Seung-Hui’s in our lives that we ought to be reaching out to. I know I have thought this. I wish I went to that school, and I at least hope I would have been faithful enough to show the kindness of Christ to him, and maybe this would have prevented the killing. The deaths in that shooting shook many of us awake here in the states. The reality of the shortness of life and the loss of loved ones. So terrible. But praise the Lord Jesus Christ has made powerless the one who had the power of death (Heb 2:14).

In light of these 33 deaths, and the toll it has played in my heart, I was shocked to realize the numbness that I have to the concept of death. When it is close to home I feel it, but when it is across a small expanse of sea water I strike it up as normal occurances. Up to the last week of April there have been up to 600 deaths in Iraq. Souls who have never had an opportunity or even access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have never had the chance of having the power of death destroyed in their lives. They are forever lost, bound to hell.

Ther is only one hope for Iraq and it is military intervention, not diplomacy. We can talk to people all day long about how they need to quit killing each other, or even to forsake their Islamic fundamentalism, but unless the war for their hearts is won in the spirit there will be no eternal significance. Therefore, brothers and sisters, pray, pray and plead for Iraq. Fast at least once for their lost condition, and let us believe God to tear down strongholds and bring victory and deliverance.

To stir up jealousy: the Dali Lama has prayed for Iraq recently

For tips on praying for Iraq click here.