Friday, April 1, 2016

How did a pack of hungry, starved lions become non-cannibalistic and refuse to eat the prophet Daniel? Read Daniel 6. Daniel said that God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths. They could not hurt him!

The Islamic State (ISIS) intends to establish the rule of Islam all over the world. Their goal is to have the whole world under one State, one religion, one law. For some time they have been using very violent methods: beheading people, burning them alive, raping women and children. Such cruelty is not new.^[2]

We pray that those who commit such atrocities will be transformed by the power of the Spirit of God into docile, gentle, and kind human beings. More than that, we pray that they will become servants of Christ, the merciful and compassionate Lord and Savior.

Prayer

Majestic God and most merciful Father, we bless you. We look around and see that “Every corner of the earth has become a den [or a nest] for violence” (Psalm 74:20, SAB). Enemies of the cross are raising “their flags as a token of their victory” (Psalm 74:4, SAB). Yet, we know that you are the One in control, and you are just.

We pray that you will “defend the weak and fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. …deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4).

Be a stronghold and a fortress for those who are helpless, feeble and abused. Protect them and wrap them in your arms of love.

We pray for those who are bereaved, who have lost loved ones and possessions. Comfort them. Hear and answer their prayers; meet their needs.

We pray that families will be reunited and that they will acknowledge your mercy and love.

Father, bring ISIS members to the cross of Jesus. Manifest your love and sacrifice to them. Transform them into messengers of love, righteousness and compassion. Amen.

Promise

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5).

Footnotes

^[1] This expression is not original to me! Others have used it before.
^[2] Muhammad himself used very cruel methods to take revenge on his enemies. During some wars, Muslims flayed their enemies alive (e.g. Lepanto 1565).

Friday, March 25, 2016

Today, we remember Jesus’ crucifixion, the only means by which we have eternal life. Islam rejects the fact that Jesus died on the cross. The Quran states that he was never crucified, that he never died, and that instead, God lifted him up alive to heaven. Muslims reason that God would not let Jesus, the good prophet, die such an ignominious death on a cross for sins that others committed.

Muslims do not see the seriousness of humans’ sinful nature, so they rule out the need for redemption. For them the cross is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

Prayer

God Almighty, our loving Heavenly Father, we acknowledge you as our eternal Redeemer. We come humbly, awed by your love and Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary. What shame and pain he endured to save us from sin and doom! The Lamb of God died to give us life. Thank you.

My Muslim friends do not understand that Christ’s death on the cross was your supreme gift to sinful humans. Help them realize that they are sinners who need redemption. Show them the power of the cross that saves us from sin and transforms our lives from darkness to light and from the kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God.

Convict them of their serious sin of rejecting the cross. May they believe your Word and accept the Gospel. I plead for Muslims. Help them believe that Jesus died to redeem them from their sins and rose to justify them. Remove the veil from their minds. Open their eyes. Capture their hearts with your love.

All praise and glory to you, crucified and risen Christ, the First and the Last, the Living One who died and who is alive for ever and ever. Amen.

Promise

For the message of the cross is sheer nonsense to those who are lost, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18, SAB).

Friday, March 18, 2016

God has chosen us, believers in Christ, to be priests (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). A priest is a mediator who speaks to God on humans’ behalf and brings them messages from God.

Just imagine what will happen when millions of Muslims come by faith to Christ and fulfill his good purpose in their lives. They too can become his priests, Christ’s representatives to teach people God’s commands and precepts. Accordingly, they can represent their own people in God’s presence and intercede for them.

Lofty hope? God is able to do abundantly far more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20, SAB).

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are our Advocate and Mediator in the presence of God. Blessed be your holy name. We rejoice in you. You sympathize with our weaknesses, you understand our troubles. Thank you.

We bring to you the many millions of Muslims who do not know you. They have no one to plead their cause at God’s throne. You love them. Send your Holy Spirit in a mighty sweep across Muslim lands to bring them in unprecedented large numbers into the Kingdom. Make them the salt of the earth and lights in this world to bring other Muslims to you.

O may many Muslim believers in Christ fulfill their responsibilities as priests for their families, friends, tribes and towns. By faith we claim them as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [they] may declare the praises of him who called [them] out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once [they] were not a people, but now [they] are the people of God” (1 Peter 2:9-10). Hallelujah, amen.

Promise

You will be called God’s priests and ministers of our God (Isaiah 61:6, SAB).

Friday, March 11, 2016

People around us are thirsty. The only water that will truly satisfy them is spiritual.

One day a woman from Samaria came to the well to draw water for her household. Jesus was there. He spoke with her and offered her eternal, living water (read John 4). She accepted and was transformed. She then brought her village to Jesus!

There are many women like her in Muslim societies. Huda, Fadila, Wahiba, Samira, and many others whom I know personally have put their faith in Christ and continue to be faithful to the Lord against all odds. They, like the Samaritan woman, are very active in bringing their own people to the Kingdom.

We need more of these women.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Redeemer and Savior, we bless you and magnify your name. You honored this Samaritan woman and blessed her. We pray that you will speak to many Muslim women this week.

Bring them to the cross through faith in you. Change them and make them new creatures by the power of your Spirit. May they find hope, peace and joy in you. Fill their hearts with your love.

As you transformed the Samaritan woman from an argumentative, religious fanatic into a messenger of the Good News, may many Muslim women put their faith in you and become your emissaries to their own people!

Reveal yourself to many Muslim women this week as you did to the Samaritan woman. May they know you, Jesus Christ, Messiah, King, and Redeemer.

In your mighty name we pray. Amen.

Promise

“To the thirsty I will give water from the spring of life as a gift.” Let them give thanks to the LORD for his love and for the marvelous things he has done for mankind; he has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things (Revelation 21:6; Psalm 107:8-9, REB).

Friday, March 4, 2016

Obadiah’s name means “worshipper of the Lord God.” He was in charge of the king’s palace, possibly equivalent to a chief of staff today. Those were ominous times. The nation had gone totally away from God. The king and queen promoted the worship of false gods, giving Baal particular importance. The king “did more to provoke the anger of the Lord… than all the kings of Israel before him” (1 Kings 16:33).

In spite of all that, Obadiah did not allow his high position in the king’s palace to corrupt him. Hard circumstances did not weaken his resolve to serve God. When the queen persecuted and killed God’s prophets, Obadiah took 100 of them, hid them, and supplied them with food and water (1 Kings 18:3-4). During all that time, he remained very humble (1 Kings 18:7).

Prayer

Father in heaven, blessed be your glorious name. You alone are our God and Master. Worship is due to you alone.

We bring to you the vast world of Islam. What a responsibility you have given us! What honor! We bow down before your majesty to intercede for Muslims. Only you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, can bring them by the millions to your Kingdom. We pray there will be many believers from Muslim backgrounds as devoted to you as Obadiah was.

Lord, let them experience the power of lives transformed by the cross of Christ. Give them the courage and resolve to be always true and loyal to Jesus. During times of persecution and testing, may they have the boldness to serve the community of the faithful.

In the precious name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Promise

He is not afraid of bad news. His heart remains secure, full of confidence in the Lord (Psalm 112:7, GW).