I live in Mosul, a city still rising from the ashes of war. Once, Iraq stood tall — strong, prosperous, and admired across the Arab world. But decades of conflict have torn at our nation’s soul. In the 1970s, Mosul was a city of culture and coexistence, where Kurds, Arabs, and Christians lived side by side. Then came years of turmoil — bombings, fear, and finally the dark reign of ISIL. In 2014, we watched our city fall into the hands of terror, and many fled for their lives.

When liberation came in 2017, the streets were silent, the churches destroyed, and hope felt like a memory. Yet, amid the rubble, life is returning. Markets are reopening, families are rebuilding, and the faint sound of children’s laughter can once again be heard. But the deepest rebuilding is not of buildings — it’s of hearts. The pain of loss runs deep, and reconciliation is hard, but Jesus is moving quietly here. In small gatherings and whispered prayers, believers are bringing His peace to a weary people.

This is our moment — a window of grace in the heart of suffering. I believe God is calling His followers in Iraq to rise as healers, bridge-builders, and bearers of shalom — the peace only Christ can give. In the very city where violence once reigned, I believe love will take root again, and Mosul will one day be known not for its ruins, but for its restoration.

• Pray for healing over Mosul’s deep wounds — that the peace of Jesus would rebuild hearts as homes and streets are restored. (Isaiah 61:4)

• Pray for believers in Mosul to be courageous peacemakers and agents of reconciliation across ethnic and religious divides. (Matthew 5:9)

• Pray for families displaced by war to find safety, provision, and the hope of Christ as they return home. (Psalm 34:18)

• Pray for the next generation in Mosul to rise free from fear and filled with purpose in God’s kingdom. (Jeremiah 29:11)

• Pray for Mosul to become a testimony of redemption — a city transformed by the shalom of the Prince of Peace. (Habakkuk 2:14)