Faith Under Fire By Canon Andrew White

Andrew White, the self-styled ‘Vicar of Baghdad’ encounters daily tragedy alongside a troubled congregation midst a city in turmoil. The book searches for what he has found about God in such circumstances. What happens to his faith when a young girl in his congregation dies, after much hope and prayer? Every time he returns to Iraq he may be saying goodbye to his family for the last time. What do they think? He suffers from MS. How does he remain cheerful despite his physical weakness, and its progression? He meets regularly with men who wish to use him. What has kept him free from cynicism? What does he say to God, alone in his study, late at night? Can he see the hand of God? Looking ahead, can he be optimistic about the future? Where are his sources of spiritual energy? These are the questions he asks himself and shares with readers. The book won the ‘Ultimate Christian Library Award’ for 2012.

Canon White is now limiting his engagements. He is curtailing his fund raising activities which have frequently taken him to America and many other places outside Iraq. His mobility is now restricted. “I cannot do what I once did. I hate letting people down, but I have got to be aware of my own limitations and leave the funding to the Almighty.” Readers of this book will understand the toll of stress.