Churches around the world are bring invited to sign up to a new initiative to pray for an end to the violence in Iraq.

The London based www.iraqprayer.org has been established in partnership with prayer leaders from various nations, including Christians living in the Middle East.

Each church is asked to commit to praying at least three minutes a week for the violence to end in Iraq.

The prayer focus is on the 10 most violent cities of Iraq, including the nine districts of Baghdad. Churches can sign up to pray for one of these cities or districts. The website also contains background information on Iraq and related details to help churches pray.

More than two million Iraqi refugees are scattered across the Middle East due to the continuous violence in Iraq, with the majority flocking at Jordan and Syria.

World Vision is currently aiding the 750,000 refugees in Jordan, with one of their partner organisations finding ways to work with young Iraqi refugees in the country.

One organisation now operates day programmes for 200 children, whereby which Iraqi youth are able to learn leadership skills and resilience.