The young daughter of an Iraqi Christian family burned alive by ISIS used her final moments in her mother's arms to beg forgiveness for her killers.

Jihadists reportedly arrived at the family's home in Mosul seeking to collect a fine that the Muslims charge Christians called "Jaziya." They told the mother that the family must pay instantly or evacuate the home. The mother simply begged for a few moments as her 12 year old daughter was in the shower. They did not wait. Instead, they immediately set the house ablaze.

The girl was severely burned in the fire. Her mother did get her outside the house but the girl died just a few hours later in a local hospital. The little girl died in her mother's arms. Her last words were "forgive them."

The plight of Christians in the Middle East has long been ignored. This should not be. Especially by Christians. I pray for the family of this little girl. I pray for her soul. I pray for those committing violence against Christians. I also can't help but wonder if, as a parent, I would have the strength to forgive. I do not know that I would.

The world seems to be darkening, especially for Christians. Violence against Christians is rampant worldwide. Religious freedom is disappearing in the U.S. and Europe. Ruthlessness seems to be the hallmark of our world. Forgiveness must be the at the center of any world we try to rebuild.

HT Independent: