U.S. Prayer Delegation leaves for Iraq

U.S. Prayer Delegation leaves for Iraq ReligionAndSpirituality.com July 24, 2007 The Christian Defense Coalition will lead an historic Christian prayer delegation to Baghdad Tuesday. The delegation, which was officially welcomed by the Iraqi government and will be their guests in Baghdad, will present an engraved stone display of the Ten Commandments as a gift to the Iraqi people from the U.S. Christian community, Christian Newswire reported Tuesday. The CDC worked for months to arrange the trip. In a letter hand-delivered to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, CDC director Rev. Patrick Mahoney said, "What happens in the next few months will have a profound impact on the future course of Iraq, the United States, and the entire region. In response to this critical hour, it is essential that we urgently humble ourselves and look to God for His sovereign grace, blessing and wisdom in all that we do." Upon returning from Baghdad, the group will ask President Bush and Congress to call for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting for the war in Iraq before the September Congressional briefing by General Petraeus. Mahoney told Christian Newswire, "Now is the time for Americans to lay our political differences aside concerning the war in Iraq and humbly seek God for His direction. Although there has been much debate, discussion and disagreement in our country regarding events in Iraq, there are many things Americans are united on — such as justice and mercy which will always triumph over terror and fear. We can also agree that the violence and bloodshed in Iraq must come to an end."