Prayer Vigil for Iraq 29 Jan 6-9pm

Dear Friends in Christ

The situation in Iraq, with the hope of democratic elections on the 30th balanced against the murderous attacks of the insurgents, is one which I know is in many people's prayers.  The main UK congregation of Syriac Orthodox (who are mostly from Iraq) worships at St Andrew's Fulham Fields (W14 9SX) on Sunday evenings, and in conjunction with them we're planning a prayer vigil for the Iraqui elections on the 29th Jan. The schedule planned is as follows:

6pm Evening Prayer.... meditation ... 7pm Prayers in Aramaic ... meditation ... 8pm Night Prayer ... meditation ... 9pm Blessing and Dismissal

9pm here is of course midnight Iraqui time.

The Prayers in Aramaic will be led by Fr Thoma from the Syriac Orthodox. There will be an English text of the Aramaic Prayers, and we hope that Fr Thoma will give a brief talk about the situation on the ground, based on his contacts there.

Do look in, even for a few minutes. Together, our prayers can make a difference, both to Iraq and in this country as a powerful witness to growth and cooperation in Christ.

This Vigil dovetails with the 48 Hours of Prayer at St Paul's Hammersmith. Simon Downham tells me that they will be praying for us, and more importantly for Iraq, during the night, and we for them.

YIC

Nicholas

PS In addition to the well-known story of general violence in Iraq, there is considerable anti-Christian persecution, see eg here.

During the course of the vigil we plan to pray:
  1. by name for all the 76 UK  troops killed in Iraq
  2. For all others killed, both coalition troops and Iraqis
  3. For peace and reconciliation between the various ethnic and religious groups
  4. For all the 18 provinces of Iraq. 
  5. for the civillians who have lost their lives,
  6. for all those who are subject to violence and intimidation
  7. for the perpetrators of such violence (that they may turn away from their wicked ways and repent)
  8. for all the candidates in the elections
  9. for all the election officials
  10. for all the security forces, both coalition and Iraqui and their families.
  11. for the Interim Government of Iraq.
  12. for all Christians in Iraq
  13. for all other communities in Iraq
  14. for all involved in the Media who are in Iraq or who are reporting on Iraq
If you have any further ideas please email me nb@sciteb.com. Also if you have any specific prayers that you would like to be read at the Vigil do email and we'll look at them.

I'm told by Simon Downham that the 48 Hours of Prayer at St Paul's Hammersmith will also include prayers for this Vigil and, more importantly, prayers for Iraq.  Thanks v much Simon.

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Names of UK Troops killed in Iraq

(NH means not killed by hostile action - about 40% of the deaths were accidental)  Source icasualties.org

  1. Sergeant Paul "Billy" Connolly NH

  2. Acting Chief Petty Officer Simon Roger Owen NH

  3. Private Pita Tukutukuwaqa

  4. Sergeant Stuart Robert Gray

  5. Private Paul Aitken Lowe

  6. Private Scott William McArdle

  7. Staff Sergeant Denise Michelle Rose NH

  8. Private Kevin Thomas McHale NH

  9. Corporal Marc "Spud" Taylor

  10. Gunner David Lawrence

  11. Fusilier Stephen Jones NH

  12. Lance Corporal Paul David Trevor Thomas

  13. Private Marc Ferns

  14. Private Christopher Gordon Rayment NH

  15. Private Lee Martin O'Callaghan

  16. Flight Lieutenant Kristian Michel Alexander Gover NH

  17. Fusilier Gordon Campbell Gentle

  18. Corporal Richard Thomas David Ivell NH

  19. Sapper Robert Thompson NH

  20. Rifleman Vincent Calvin Windsor NH

  21. Lance Corporal Andrew Jason Craw NH

  22. Major James Stenner NH

  23. Sergeant Norman Patterson NH

  24. Private Ryan Lloyd Thomas NH

  25. Corporal Ian Plank

  26. Sergeant John Nightingale NH

  27. Fusilier Russell Beeston

  28. Major Matthew Titchener

  29. Warrant Officer Colin Wall

  30. Corporal Dewi Pritchard

  31. Captain David Martyn Jones

  32. Private Jason Smith NH

  33. Captain James Linton NH

  34. Lance Corporal Thomas Richard Keys

  35. Sergeant Simon A. Hamilton-Jewell

  36. Corporal Russell Aston

  37. Corporal Paul Graham Long

  38. Corporal Simon Miller

  39. Lance Corporal Benjamin John M. Hyde

  40. Corporal David Shepherd NH

  1. Civilian Leonard Harvey NH

  2. Gunner Duncan Pritchard NH

  3. Private Andrew Kelly NH

  4. Lieutenant Alexander Tweedie NH

  5. Lance Corporal James McCue NH

  6. Lance Corporal Ian Keith Malone

  7. Piper Christopher Muzvuru

  8. Fusilier Kelan John Turrington

  9. Lance Corporal Karl Shearer NH

  10. Staff Sergeant Chris Muir NH

  11. Major Steve Alexis Ballard NH

  12. Lance Corporal Shaun Andrew Brierley NH

  13. Royal Navy Marine Christopher R. Maddison

  14. Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull

  15. Corporal Stephen John Allbutt FF

  16. Trooper David Jeffrey Clarke FF

  17. Sergeant Steven Mark Roberts FF

  18. Lance Corporal Barry Stephen

  19. Flight Lieutenant., Pilot Kevin Barry Main FF

  20. Flight Lieut., Navigator David Rhys Williams FF

  21. Sapper Luke Allsopp

  22. Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth

  23. Lieutenant Philip D. Green

  24. Lieutenant Anthony King

  25. Lieutenant Marc A. Lawrence

  26. Lieutenant Philip West

  27. Lieutenant James Williams

  28. Lieutenant Andrew S. Wilson

  29. Colour Sergeant John Cecil

  30. Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Karl Evans

  31. Captain Philip Stuart Guy

  32. Royal Navy Marine Sholto Hedenskog

  33. Sergeant Les Hehir

  34. Oper. Mech. 2nd Class Ian Seymour

  35. Warrant Off. 2nd Class Mark Stratford

  36. Major Jason Ward