Hello and welcome. Thank you for joining us here in our podcast, Elim church. You're joining myself, Reverend Benjamin Leonard Cooper, and today we are so glad that you are with us. And we have Sandra with us this morning. Thank you to all our listeners on buzzsprout, Spotify, Apple Music and the other platforms that we are on. We are studying the world of the persecuted church, the suffering church, and we say good morning, Sondra.
Sandra Robson:Good morning.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Lovely to have you with us today. These weeks are going too fast.
Sandra Robson:Yes,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we hope you're well.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:All is good. Do it again. There we get we are getting there. So let's have a quick recap. Sandra, we thank you for gathering around the mics and the listeners around the world wherever you are. We thank you for sharing everything we do here in Elim church. And we really would appreciate any feedback, any comments that you have in everything that we're doing, but we are going to be just recapping back into Syria just for a few moments to civil war, Islamic extremism. And Sandra's is going to lead us to this. But thank you so much to everybody for wherever you are. And may God bless you and strengthen you, Sandra, let's let's dive into what we have today.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, so we looked at Syria, and we thought about how the Civil War is affected things and how it's displaced people. But how God has birthed new ministries, and you know, the churches have changed the the mother, you know, the makeup of the churches, how many more Muslim back believers there are, and how they're under pressure, and how and, you know, God is, you know, helping them to flourish, and through the support of different groups, like open doors and our prayers. And, you know, they are seeing amazing change. And and, you know, through their testimonies, others are being saved. But we, you know, obviously, they are in a very difficult still very difficult situation, there are still Islamic extremist pits about and as we said, you know, and also the IDPs, the people who've been internally displaced, and then those who have fled to other places. You know, there's some that are in Lebanon and cause things happen there, didn't they, and they happen to be in that poor area where they, you know, when the key side blew up, so some of those people were injured in that. And so there's been a lot of need for the Christian community. But as we said, there's a lot of hope and encouragement as well through what he's doing in the centers of hope. So now we're looking at a rack because these are two places that have got like a link because of what happened with is and yeah, they were, you know, when I've been reading about this, it was, you know, how the Christian population has been reduced, has been, sadly through this ethnic cleansing that occurred in 2014. Through is and again, I found that the Barnabas Fund, and information sort of, you know, gives a good overview of what's been happening, and from that time to last year. So it's saying that the plains, the ethnic cleansing and conquest of Mosul and the plains of Nineveh, the historic center of Iraqi Christianity, by Islamic State militants in 2014, cause huge numbers of Christians to flee to Arab in the east, or Dooku in the north, and two largest cities of Iraqi Kurdistan. And there's very few that actually remain in those, you know, the areas that most of them the plains, and it's very dangerous still, yeah, the country is led by a fragmented Shia government not supported by many minority Sudanese. And many homes were destroyed, they were occupied by is they were fraudulently sold, and so many families have nothing to return to. And there's, you know, because of the occupation, there's an ongoing culture of hate amongst Muslims towards Christians. And so now the Christians are mostly in Iraqi Kurdistan. And then in it says that an estimated 75% of Iraqi Christians population has left the country Yeah, although in the last 30 years, but a lot of them left in this This time of trouble. And it's been due to anti christian hostility. And it was saying about the violence, which began after 19 1991, the Gulf War and intensified after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. So a lot of people left then. And then there's been another Exodus with what happened in 2014. So now, it's a very small amount of Christians got nought point 4% of the population are Christian. In Iraq today.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I do know that the BBC reported, I think it was back in 2019, that had put a bit of a good journalism out there that the Christians in Iraq are almost coming to extinction. Push down such a violent, violent things that are going on. And this is really, really disconcerting, isn't it? When you when you look and read about what's happening, that there almost is no Christianity there, whatsoever. But when you hear what's going on, no wonder that they've been pushed out for what they want to do. And the Civil War and the war torn places where there's nowhere to live? So we Yeah, so we understand why we got so many refugees around, where they've come from Iraq has such a big amount of refugees coming out of there.
Sandra Robson:And IDPs Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:it's just like, when you look at what's going on. But it's it's been oppressed for for 1000s of years. 1000s. This is very historical isn't historical. Yeah, it's very deep, doesn't it's got a lot of deep roots. So there's a lot going on, you know, as you said, about Saddam Hussein in 2003, when he was saying all that stuff to destroy the Christians and get them out, everything went completely. Wow, what a place to live. If you're a believer, that must be so, so difficult. Well, there's there's not many Christians left there at all, really, we sent it for ISIS only what's what's going on. So a lot of prayer is needed for Iraqi Christians that are still living, living there. And when we pray for hope, we pray for hope.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And in June and July, last year, there was the Turkish air campaign against the Kurdish PKK fighters inflicting terror again on civilians. And whether they were Kurdish or a Syrian, a lot of them were Christian. And that affected the Zakho district in daku. province, and around 12,000 Christians in about 220 villages, and the airstrikes, 79 of the 11 Christian villages in the sub district of Dhaka, and left the agricultural land burned, hundreds of Christians were forced to flee many of the people who had already fled from their homes in the Nineveh plains in 2014. So that was another blow that this occurred. But we know again, that that, you know, through this, some hope for the Middle East that there have been campaigns and again, we were very blessed to be part of that house building
Reverend Ben Cooper:projects. Yes.
Sandra Robson:And that boy, and I forgotten his name now. But there was a boy in his family that they particularly highlighted, and he wants to go back to Iraq. And, and, yes, so through all the pennies we did, there was a Lego we had to we built a house for him in Lego, and everybody paid for each bit of Lego. And, and we sent that off, and that was part of building this house because this house was rebuilt. And so we thank the Lord for these small things. And you know, that are going on going on that, that they become a bigger thing and enable people to go back and settle but we can see that it is far from a easy and peaceful place. And so these are a few things from open doors that I picked up and some interesting things I found some blogs that I hadn't looked at that I thought would be good to share and give an idea of how Christians are living there and and and how what they feel and think this time. So it says here that if you're from a Muslim background, again, just like in Syria and all these other places where Islam is a stronghold, you know that is the the main leading authority that they have to keep their faith secret. There's a lot of pressure and threats by family members, clan leaders in the wider society. And Converse risk losing inheritance rights and the right to marry, they're not allowed to marry Christians as the law considers the Muslim and Islamic extremists remain active in Iraq, as I said, kidnapping Christians. And then as we said, through other we were talking about, you know, the persecution of women won't be a couple of weeks ago, and I had this about that declaration and why that's important. Because during that time, in 2014, many women were sexually enslaved, and they are still recovering from that. And there's still things going on, unfortunately, through the COVID. You know, situation in lockdown, many women have been abused. Yeah. Which is very sad. To pray for them. Yeah. So. And also there's discrimination in the workplace and checkpoints. And sometimes the blasphemy law is used against them. Yes. So there is
Reverend Ben Cooper:very strong as it is junk under the watch list,
Sandra Robson:as well has that's what I was going to say that just because of the violence, apparently there's increase in violence.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So there's a lot there's a lot going on. And it seems to be that the women are coming under a real heavy, yeah, heavy attack for sexual violence through lockdown. And yeah, everything is going on through this, this COVID this what's happening around the world, it's, it's impacting them, like never before it as if they haven't got enough to cope with Yeah, not very easy living accommodations and living in a war torn place. I've got the oppression of being caught and put into slavery. Yes, and treated very barbaric. It says that, doesn't it, you can see what it says there. And it's still the Islamic State, and there's so much going on and so much violence and sexual enslavement going on. Goodness for the religious minorities, you know,
Sandra Robson:yeah. Well, I see, you know, the killings have increased, yeah, this ISIS
Reverend Ben Cooper:is still they're still very prominent, even though we don't see so much on the news. It's the blasphemy laws as well, you know, and, and everything that's going on. It's no wonder, statistically, that it looks like Christianity has been pushed out because they've been driven out. Yeah, literally, driven violence to get out. So, okay, so nowhere, where are we? Yeah,
Sandra Robson:so, um, but there are some glimmers of hope. And it is because thank God, that it has been highlighted, like the another thing that happened a couple of years ago, see these things take time to actually bear fruit sometimes? And yes, we don't always see it. You know, it's a bit like with our lockdown, we have preached that we suddenly have the church that, you know, so bright, the church has got to close when they said, you know, the government said they wouldn't do that. And so then lots of Christians and other people said, Look, you know, this is there's religious freedom, and the church should be open. And, and nothing happened at the time did it? And then the next time, this this lockdown, now they've said, okay, you know, you can remain open if you feel able to, and things were different. And so, you know, just, I just feel to highlight, I feel the Lord's prompting me to say that petitions do make a difference, you know, signing, even online, that you're putting, saying, I am in concerned about this, you know, this, this matters. To me, it doesn't take very long to do to just sign your name. But it makes an enormous difference, because there was that big petition that was done, and by open doors that was sent to the government. And as the results of that things were then looked into about, you know, like I said, the house building and things like that. Yeah. And with the launch of the world watch list. They also had Iraqi Christians come the leaders of the church and they talked and said how it is important that they it in this post ISIS time, were able to show how to build community Again. And and it's also interesting how God uses other religious leaders as well, because what has happened, which I didn't notice when I was doing my roundup was that Christmas is now an annual national holiday in Iraq. It really it really is.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I'm surprised considering what's going on.
Sandra Robson:Yes. So this is this is the glimmer of hope. There's two glimmers of hope in this, that God is encouraging his faithful, you know, children. On the 16th of December 2020, Iraqis Parliament passed a bill making Christmas Day an annual national holiday in this country in their in their country. Wow. And yeah, then. And the message is of great value under great hope for Christians as sad, auxiliary bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad. And he said he noted that the decision was clearly connected with the visit of Pope Francis to Iraq in March. And another thing that has happened is that Iraqi politicians are also establishing a committee to return stolen properties today, right for Christian owners. And another open doors partner said their religious and cultural rights must be protected as the country's historic history shows, and they are a major and important part of Iraqis, people, Iraqi people. And the government is now recognizing that. So since 2003, that's forced people to play. And now and so, you know, there's, there's a need for trying to bring these houses back, there's the they will see. So with an increase in tribal and sectarian divisions, we see the seizure of Christian properties in Iraq, especially in the capital, Baghdad, those who sees these properties know very well that a Christian being a minority cannot risk themselves and complaining. And if they, they come to complain, their complaint would not be settled easily, but within the courts. So it is significant that this powerful share cleric and politician and move into our sod has now announced that he is establishing this committee with the aim to redress and restore justice. And that was on the third of January, okay, this year that I happened. And he gave out a list of addresses and contacts of this committee for the Christian leaders to contact. So for, you know, the the pastor or the priest, to gather the information from the families that say they've had property taken and things and documents and then to give it to this committee, and they're going to look into it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So there's a big turn around.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So they're realizing that they are poorer, for not having the Christian community. Yeah. We so the action to resolve this widespread issue with protect Christians rights to property, contribute towards reconciliation. So that was a big thing. filiation conciliation, I got down peace and reconciliation, and enable better living conditions, all of which are essential for Christians to remain and flourish in Iraq. So it says the government is listening to Christian leaders in a good way to incorporate minority Christians in Iraqi society. Local faith leaders have the trust of those in their community and the knowledge and skills built from years of responding to physical and spiritual needs. And that's another of the Christian leaders saying that of Iraqi Christian leader.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So there's a real stripped back isn't there? When you see what kind of they've been stripped right back, but there is hope. Yeah, there is hope for them. There could be reconciliation, there could be rebuilding there could be coming back. But what must it be like to be in a war torn country where you're being oppressed, you're frightened to go out the door. Your life is threatened. You can't carry a Bible. You can't be seen to be a believer, your baby pushed out. Your home has been torn to pieces. Yeah. What must that be like to suddenly be seeing this, this war happening in front of your very eyes? And you know, and you've got caught up, and you're being forced out of your nation, and you suddenly have to flee and you've got nothing? You've got nothing. You've got nothing.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, so do remember about Dahlia, because yeah, she talks about that.
Reverend Ben Cooper:lose everything.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, this, you know, we we talked about this around, I think it was around Christmas time. Thank
Reverend Ben Cooper:you It was.
Sandra Robson:And Dahlia, through the support of open doors, and again, other organizations. They have helped to build up a ministry, they see my, you know, when we pray about these things they've, they've seen there is a need, as we said, because these women have experienced all atrocities. And, and she says that she is still in a state of flight.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Must be
Sandra Robson:she and even what they're listening. They're hearing all this and they're still saying, Is it true? Is it going to happen?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Is it really? Yeah,
Sandra Robson:no, they're not really they said that they are taking it in and taking stock, but they're not getting excited. But praise God and pray and believe that it will happen. It will come today. Yeah. And she there's two things I want to just read about her. And then I want to tell you about the day of the Holy Cross. Okay, celebrate on the 14th of September, which I didn't know about and I just came across but I thought it was quite significant because it shows you know, the deepness and the root, you know rootedness of their belief because it's a very ancient celebration. Okay, but Sam Yeah, she was in 2006. Her uncle was brutally murdered by Islamic extremists. Eight years later, her family's survival was threatened again. When news came the so called Islamic State was approaching dahlias town in the NIV. At Nineveh pray plain, she says, overnight, we had to flee. I remember being so anxious, we left our house that we had spent years building and ran into the unknown, with not much more than the clothes on our back. Now, she decided to return to her village in 2017. She found it a different place, buildings had been burned, walls pulled down her own house had been looted and dogged with is slogans. I felt like a stranger, as if I didn't belong to this place. It was excruciating, Lee painful. So she needed she, you know, with support to get back herself confidence and her faith. And she saw that there were other ladies like her who knit who needed the same. We thought what is a better place to gather than the church? What better place to find hope than the Bible. And so these there's a group of churches, as you said, like the centers of hope in Syria, they're now developing the same thing in Iraq. And these churches meets local needs, whether that's discipleship, leadership training, or trauma care. And they also provide micro loans to help rebuild lives. So that make a small business, they be able to run a small business and do things in the village. Like we said, they had a little bakery, and things like that. So and she said, I feel the Holy Spirit is working as during the meetings is such a joyful feeling when I feel fit here that the women are preparing the Bible study at home, together with their husbands and children. That makes me really happy. And she says that my daughter studies in Mosul where kidnaps and explosions happen often. Our bags are always packed just in case we have to see again, and COVID-19 is added to the uncertainty. But we have moved all our Bible activities online. And we're getting we've got Euston a new normal. And so she says that they're still participating. And yeah, and she said that is great well being to them, and just to pray for them to stand strong to stay strong. So and you know say they're praying that they'll be able to open other centers. They've got 16 centers at the moment there. Wow. And their vision is to open more.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So for those living in a war torn place, going through COVID-19 they've moved stuff online they've still not giving up hope they're still gathering together. But what really triggered something in my heart there Sandra was you said that they've they've got their bags packed, ready to go, they've got their bag, how must that be to be living on tenterhooks my bags packed? Yeah, I'm going to college, I'm going to whatever I'm trying to get study, I'm trying to get learning but in the back of my mind and sitting there, I've got just rest in that. I might have to flee any moment. I might have to flee. Yeah, we might have to run all day long. How do you find rest? We know how you find rest for Christ. But when you really think about that, that our bags are packed that we could leave this place that we've been living for a while. So then you look at that they got no place that they can call home of they know, because they're always looking that we will be leaving this place. At any moment. Our bags are packed, living on edge, living on edge. So we so we're moving on Sondra, to the cross.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, yeah, we've got time for this. Yeah, via
Reverend Ben Cooper:the dive across 14th of September.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So they celebrate this on the 14th of September. And apparently it's quite an ancient tradition for centuries. And there and other places in the Middle East that I didn't know that celebrate their faith by putting illuminated crosses on top of their houses. And then there's a picture of a burnt out church and a pastor looking tired and quite,
Reverend Ben Cooper:quite drawn,
Sandra Robson:drawn. And it was taken in 2016.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Look at that image that we're looking at there. It's so as for the list? Yes. So it's a beautiful stone church that we would imagine, had a lot of people in at one particular point and you can probably put it on a size of a cathedral at the moment. So when you look at the stone structure is still there. But when you look at the pews, they're burned as Ash on the floor. There's smoke stains everywhere. Look at marks and marks, it's ion. Oh my goodness, yeah. stoneworks fracture. And right at the very back, you can see the altar. It's all black and smoke. It's just completely burned out. And this poor pastor, as you look at this image, you can see that the the Heron effect this ad had on him because also, not only are the churches being destroyed and shot and coming under fire, but their lives. Yeah, they're all you're always watching your back. Yeah, as we just said, your bags are packed. This is happening in God's house. This is happening in God's house.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And it's shocking to think what they did there. It says, When ISIS took all of the crosses of the church in 2014, we were reminded once more how important this symbol is for us. The church had been used as a shooting gallery for is that's what they used it for. They used it as a shooting gallery. That's why I commented on all the on the bullet marks there. And but the cross remained or they damaged the cross. And then it shows how in 2017 it was restored, restored. Yeah, historical cross cross. And now today in 2020 21. It says today the Cross has been restored and the church,
Reverend Ben Cooper:praise God. The
Sandra Robson:first thing they restored was the cross
Reverend Ben Cooper:was the cross the center point.
Sandra Robson:And it says we have celebrated the day of the cross for centuries and it is very important to us the cross your minds is that the victory of Jesus over death and pain? Yes, we face many troubles, but we believe one day we will get rid of this pain and be with Jesus said, Father, Mr. And then it goes on to other people who are living who stayed in this this area. And it talks about a few families and 55 year old SM and his family and salah and his son and other others and he says that it's a joyful act activity for us to decorate the cross and put it up on our roof and it's a family thing. And you can see the whole family. Yes. Take constructing it and his wife is helping and his teenage son is there as well. My hope is that the cross of our Lord will bring peace. That was my other thing. Peace to our land, so that we can stay to share the word of Jesus as some shares. Yeah, it's
Reverend Ben Cooper:a very bold thing isn't it? is an award tone nation that is driven by Islamic State, ISIS, using churches as shooting galleries doing absolutely everything they're doing to make a wooden cross to light the cross up. Yeah. And put the cross on your home?
Sandra Robson:Yes. Wow. Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:I think of that text. In Exodus, chapter 12, where it says the blood will be a sign. The blood will be a sign over their house and the cross is a sign over their house.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, but what
Reverend Ben Cooper:a bold statement to make in a nation that is driven by Islamic extremism. Yeah, when they're absolutely crazy.
Sandra Robson:Over the neighborhood, some houses have across others don't. After ISIS, he says many friends and family left the country, their houses empty. It makes me sad to see that still. The cross for me is a sign of victory. victory over oppression. Amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, brilliant
Sandra Robson:lighting of candles, too. And then the last thing said that, and that these, this family said, for the word of the cross, and this is one Corinthians 118. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved is the power of gold. And then this is what they say. There's these families, they say, as Iraqi Christians, we have to stay here, we need the Christians around the world to stand with us and supporters. We are the indigenous people of this land. And when the sunsets There are dozens across is lighting up the CARICOM skyline. Together, they form a symphony of light, a choir of reminders that even in times of persecution, and worldwide pandemic, one thing is sure, the cross winds
Reverend Ben Cooper:are lovely, what a lovely statement that is. And imagine trying to imagine what that's like you got these crosses, just dotted across the skyline and they're lit up, you know, with with these lights that they're putting on there, it must look so powerful on the backdrop of a clear sunset. And as the sun drops down. And as the crosses start to shine in the darkness, how symbolic that is that the cross is so powerful. As darkness forms over the land, the cross is still very prominent and very powerful. And as their last statement, they said the cross winds always, it always wins. Really interesting. It must look so beautiful at night across the skyline of a rack for a few houses, the boldness of them homes to, to lift the cross up to like across up across, make a bold statement that we are believers in Jesus Christ in a nation that is still driving out Christianity, still got oppression still got imprisonment going on for being a believer. And also on top of that he got your bags packed just in case. Yeah, just in case.
Sandra Robson:So I thought that was very well, very powerful. I didn't you know, as I say, I was just I was looking for things and and then yeah, can see that and thought well, that's
Reverend Ben Cooper:it's really, yeah, it's really powerful Sandra. So so how do we pray? What What do we actually how do we pray when in the stillness and I was just thinking and pondering over this at this moment that God will protect the Christians in Iraq, we pray that the believers will increase and they will, the indigenous people will go back and get back to their roots in their belief system. The church is in Iraq to be restored. Yeah. For pastors and leaders and fathers and to get back to rebuild businesses to be rebuilt you know for peace there's so much to pray for isn't there so much to pray for. You can find all this on, on open doors, you can go online and you can find ways of supporting and, and blessing the ministry that's out there and you find some great powerful stories about families in in Iraq. So it's important that we pray into that and we do our homework. So We do some research, but there's so much information on it on iraq war torn Iraq. Okay, so where are we what we got to?
Sandra Robson:Well, I mean, I think there was a couple of things that, you know, stuck out for me. I think one of them was that some of these Muslim leaders in high place authority that God is moving them to see the value of, you know, the church and Christians and, yeah, something, you know,
Reverend Ben Cooper:choice happening.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And you know, that God moves through unexpected people doesn t you know, and, you know, he can change leaders hearts to water, as he says, Go whichever way he pleases. So I pray that, you know, we can pray for the leaders, you know, that God will continue to work through them. Amen. And yes, that we pray for that reconciliation, that people will be seen as people not be seen as religious this or that. But as you know, your neighbor, and loving your neighbor that it could that would come back. And for the, you know, the trauma care, we give thanks for the fact that Christmas is seen as being, you know, important, and it's become a national holiday.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's a big move. Yeah, big shift.
Sandra Robson:I think the Restore enormous, yes.
Reverend Ben Cooper:For Christmas to be recognized. Yeah. And Iraq.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. Restoring homes. So like, yes, restoring home. So leaders, reconciliation, restoring homes, that they will feel that it's safe to go back and that there can be
Reverend Ben Cooper:can be hope in darkness. Yeah. And the cross is displaying that hope, isn't it? The cross is being lifted up on homes. You know, they're not given up as, as that statement said, by that family, the crush always wins. Yeah, for us always wins in darkness. It will prevail. And we thank God for what he's doing. But we we know, we've had a general discussion this morning, just around these mics. As we've been recording this podcast and it does make you think how, how blessed we are in the UK. You know, we sit in this comfortable room. Our bags are not packed, we our homes are safe. And it really makes you makes you think where am I in Christ Jesus. When I see this, week after week, read the story see these pictures? And just look from the outside. In as a Western, westernized Christian, you have to question Where Where am I at this moment? Where is my faith? How would I be in that situation, their bags are always packed. There's always anticipation that we might be running from where we are. We are going to put a cross up tonight on the roof. If we put a cross up tonight, it could be our last night. By putting the cross up and light in the cross up we are making a clear statement to our neighborhood. And to the controlling state that we are we are here. We are a sitting target. And here in the UK. We have churches on there on street corners. And they're empty. Very sad. Very, very sad, very sad. Churches are being blown to pieces used for shooting galleries, pastors, families, are being torn to pieces and the westernized churches worried about the simple thing of Do we have Wi Fi? Are the chairs comfortable? He turns on the lights are on. You know it does make you think it really does make you dig deep into your faith and where am I? Where am I? in all of this? I pray that God will have mercy on the on the church in the UK I pray that God will will will look down on the church in the UK and and look to us and and have mercy. Because when you see what's happening around the world, and you see what's happening in Iraq and other places that we've been to, Lord have mercy on the UK. Please God have mercy. No wonder that whisper actually thing. No wonder Sandra has been a great morning just discussing around the mics. Have you got anything to finish off to pour through this morning? Or are we there?
Sandra Robson:I think we're I think we're there just thank the Lord for His Church's resilience in in Iraq how they have, you know, remain and stood and their resilience as you say like with the cross that we've done this, we are going to continue to do this now. He's gonna stop us from doing this. This is important to us. Yeah. And we're carrying on. Yeah, we're carrying on, and we're carrying off, we have to have our bags packed we are carrying on. And that that's a real thing. Only God can do that grace, that insurance and only talking about, yeah, you know, having insurance
Reverend Ben Cooper:and think we can you can't find that in a flow we
Sandra Robson:only comes by the grace of God. And these people have found that
Reverend Ben Cooper:they have, they've got an inner struggle is not the carnal nature that is not of the flesh. But it's very spiritual.
Sandra Robson:And I think as it just says, you know that we need Christians around the world to stand with us and support us as what they want. So we need we just lift them up in prayer, Lord, and say thank you for them. Thank you for our brothers and sisters. And we pray that you will help them and strengthen them and equip them and provide for their needs and work through the different things and men of war and hate. Will will see these the the love that they have, and that they will turn from their violence. And there are no wicked ways that you know that we pray, Lord God that their eyes will be open to the truth, Lord, and yeah, that they will come to know you as and Jesus, the the Prince of Peace, hallelujah, and the God reconciliation. So we do pray for that in Jesus name.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. We thank you so much for all our listeners around the world. And we just pray that God will keep you safe, and God will open our hearts to stand with the persecuted Christians around the world. And as we lift them up before I got this morning, this hour this afternoon, wherever you may be, may God strengthen you. And thank you so much for spending time with us. And thank you for listening to us. And may God bless you. You've been listening to Sandra Robson, mys lf, Reverend Ben Cooper, you can find us on buzzsprout, Spot fy, Apple Music and all the o her platforms. We thank you so m ch. And also Facebook as w ll. Please share everything we do. Stay safe. Stay under the ord of God, stay in the bloo of Jesus never give up hope. nd, you know, a great statement and that family said that will s ick with me for such a long t me. The cross always wins. T ank you. Bye