Iraqi Christians Ask for Prayer amid Jihad Rampage

ERBIL, Iraq -- As the terror group identifying itself as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) sets its sights on Baghdad to the south, thousands of Iraqi families have fled to the Kurdish area of Iraq -- just 65 miles from Mosul.

These families, fleeing the bloodbath left in the wake of the ISIS lightning strike across northern and central Iraq, have come here to Irbil.

It's unlikely that ISIS will venture further north because they face a formidable foe in the Kurdish military, which calls itself the "Peshmerga," literally, "those who face death."

It's a key time for the region and especially here for the Kurdish people. They face an historic crossroads and the very real possibility they could declare themselves an independent state.

But like the rest of Iraq, the Kurds face an uncertain future.

With the United States seeking to disengage from the international arena and the rest of the international community unwilling to intervene, Iraq could face some of its most difficult days ahead.

These are the lands of the Bible -- the land of Ninevah and the prophet Jonah. And many here also believe this land has a future prophetic promise.

In Isaiah 19, it says "Assyria is the work of my hands." Because of the turmoil and fighting, Iraqi Christians are sending out an urgent prayer request to Christians around the world to pray for peace to come to these lands.