So far away from the situation, it’s easy to feel helpless. But there are some things you CAN do. Here’s 5 things you can do to help Iraq’s persecuted Christians:

1. Stay informed

The situation in Iraq is changing quickly, as The Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) seizes more and more territory every day. To support Christians in Iraq through prayer and letting others know what’s going on, it’s a good idea to stay on top of the news coming out of the area. Eternity is regularly updating its stories on the situation, pulling news from a variety of mainstream media sources so if you don’t have time to scan the many news outlets, you can read the most recent Eternity summary, here. It’s also got links to other stories so you can stay informed.

2. Be active on social media

Arabic symbol for ‘n’ Facebook

Many Christians have already changed their profile picture to the arabic letter for “N” in solidarity with Christians who’ve had the letter painted on their homes in Mosul.

On the use of the “n” symbol, one Islamic expert wrote recently on Facebook:

“I think for many years now Christians have seen the treatment of their brothers and sisters in various places around the world and not known how to express themselves. ISIS has inadvertently given us a symbol of solidarity for Christians who are suffering.”

Changing your profile picture to the “n” symbol is one way to show solidarity. Christianity Today published a letter from a Christian based in Iraqi Kurdistan, in the north of the country, where many of the Christians from Mosul have fled. She said “It’s encouraging to see that around the world people are supporting us. We are still proud to be Christians. We will always be Christians.”

Another thing you can do is share articles, photos and statuses about Iraq’s persecuted Christians to build public awareness, because the mainstream media isn’t giving it much attention.

3. Write to your MP

What’s the point? We’re so far away from Iraq, how could talking to our Government help? There are a few ways it can help. Firstly, just by talking to them about it, you are raising awareness. Secondly, you can call on the Government to use its position on the UN Security Council to get the international community to pay more attention to the suffering of Iraqi Christians. Some have called what’s happening a genocide. It’s worth raising it with your local MP as a matter needing attention. Don’t know who your MP is? Find out here via your electorate.

4. Pray

The first and perhaps most powerful thing you can do is: pray. Bible Society Australia has some suggested prayers:

• Please pray for the Iraqi Christians forced from their homes in Mosul under threat of death.
• Pray for God’s protecting hand to be with them and his provision for them is plentiful in this time of urgent need.
• Pray that the Bible Society team in Iraq is safe amongst the crisis and are able to carry out their work to reach families in desperate need.
• Pray that others would recognise the plight of their brethren and provide support for them.

5. Give

The Iraq appeal is now finished. Thank you for your support.

NOTE: This story was updated on Friday 8 August, with updated information about the advance of The Islamic State across northern Iraq, and changing Point 1 to ‘Stay informed’, replacing ‘Attend a Solidarity March’ — the solidarity marches for Christians in Iraq were held on the first weekend in August. No others were planned at the time of this update.