On Sunday, Jan. 30, Iraq will hold an historic and pivotal national election. Not only is the future of the troubled country at stake, so are the lives of Iraq's minority Christian population. An estimated 800,000 believers are being marginalized and many have fled the country because of the increased violence. Dr. Carl Moeller, president/CEO of Open Doors USA, spoke with Crosswalk.com this week about the election and ramifications for Christians in Iraq.

"We really want to mobilize the U.S. to pray," says Moeller. "That's what our brothers and sisters in Iraq are most asking us to do. We can't vote in the Iraqi elections. And really, there's no political process or solution that will be viable in the long run." According to Moeller, only a spiritual solution that will effect lasting change in Iraq.

Unfortunately, due to increased violence in recent months, Christians in Iraq are fleeing the country in droves. Moeller notes that 15 years ago, the Christian population was 1.5 million. Today, he says, it numbers around 700,000. Some 30- to 40,000 Christians are escaping to Syria or Jordan each month.

"Wouldn't you flee if your church was being bombed and you risked your life just by going to church on Sunday morning?" Moeller asks. "Mentally, it's almost impossible to think about. Yet, we know that God has called out a remnant of believers in Iraq to remain, and to remain strong. The Bible says in Revelation 3:2, 'Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die.' That's the Christian's mission."

For those that remain, this Sunday's election will likely spell the difference between freedom and oppression. "The great fear Christians have," explains Moeller, "is that an extreme Muslim leader will be elected. Then what position will the Christians be in?" Turning out to vote is, therefore, crucial for the Christian population.