Friday, July 29, 2016

What does Islam mean? In Arabic, the word applies to a soldier who gives up. The verb means “to surrender.” Hence, Islam, as a religion, means surrendering to God; and a Muslim is someone who has surrendered his life to practice the religion of Islam.

Islam was started by Muhammad in AD 610 and is based on the Quran and the Hadith. The Quran is comprised of one volume that contains the revelations Muhammad reportedly received. The Hadith is comprised of several volumes that contain stories about Muhammad and what he did and said.

There are two major groups in Islam: Sunnis (roughly 90% of the followers), and Shias (roughly 10%). Add to that a large number of sects and sub-sects. All of them believe in Muhammad, all believe in the Quran. The differences are historical and political more than doctrinal.

Prayer

Father in heaven, from one man you created all the nations throughout the whole earth. You purposed that they would seek after you, in the hope that they might find you, though indeed you are not far from each one of us (Acts 17:26-27). And in spite of our waywardness, you love us all.

When I hear or read the word Islam, help me remember it is a system that appears so near, while it is actually so far from the Kingdom of God. It seems close to Christianity, but it is far from Christ!^[1] Whenever I see or hear of a Muslim, please help me see him as a precious soul for whom Jesus died, a person whom God loves and wants to bring to his Kingdom.

Help me be an intercessor who brings Muslims to your attention. Remember them in your mercy and grace. Help them repent and confess Christ as their only Lord and Savior.

Fill them with the Holy Spirit to be your witnesses to others.

Blessed are you, our only Sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords, immortal, invisible. To you be honor and power and glory and majesty. Amen.

Promise

“I will search for the lost, bring back those that strayed away, put bandages on those that were hurt, and make the weak strong….” “The Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost” (Ezekiel 34:16, NCV; Luke 19:10).

Footnotes

^[1] Samuel Zwemer, paraphrased.

Friday, July 22, 2016

There are about 40 to 60 million Muslims in China. The range is wide because no definite census has been taken for some time. The highest concentration of Chinese Muslim population is found in the northwest of the country bordering the Central Asian Republics, all of which are Muslim.

While China has seen tens of millions of its citizens come to Christ in the last 30 years, the Muslim population remains virtually untouched by this move of the Spirit. Only a few scattered individual Muslims have placed their faith in Christ. There are no known churches comprised of Muslim- background believers. Muslims, along with Tibetans, are the least of the least-reached people in China.

Prayer

I fall to my knees and pray to you, Father, Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from your glorious, unlimited resources you will empower the Chinese church with inner strength by your Spirit (Ephesians 3: 14-16). We do believe that “A Christianized China is poised to change the face not just of Christendom worldwide, but potentially of the world of Islam.”^[1]

Thank you for the “Back to Jerusalem” movement^[2] and their vision to go to various nations to evangelize Muslims. May they also bring their Muslim neighbors to you! Deliver your children in China from reticence and fear. Ignite their faith that the followers of Muhammad can be brought to the Kingdom by the power of your Holy Spirit. Yes, help Chinese believers bring Muslims to Christ.

Give the Chinese church the vision and the ability to translate and publish the Bible in all languages that Chinese Muslims speak.

I pray for workers. Call, prepare, anoint and send workers to the Uyghur, Hui, Dongxiang, Salar, and Utsat. Nor will we forget the Tajiks, Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Afghans, and Pakistanis among the Chinese. 

Lord, help Muslims in China to see and feel the difference in the lives of Jesus’ followers. May they become eager to know Christ and be filled with his presence. May they experience the power of Jesus living in them. In his precious name I pray, amen.

Promise

“I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank” (Isaiah 44:3-4, REB).

Footnotes

^[1] David Aikman, Jesus in Beijing, p. 13.
^[2] See the Prayer about Back to Jerusalem

Friday, July 15, 2016

Al-Azhar, the most prestigious Islamic center of learning in the world, is located in the city of Cairo, Egypt. Established more than 1000 years ago, it is the brain that shapes Islam worldwide. Its published decisions and rulings serve as decrees for other institutions and groups. Any Islamic scholar of esteem and stature is expected to have studied at Al-Azhar.

As a center of education, its main goal is to serve as a guardian of Islam and to spread that religion, both creed and culture, all over the world.

Prayer

Almighty and most holy God, there is no one equal to you. You are faithful to your Word. You have promised that when we ask you will answer, when we seek we will find, and when we knock you will open the door (Matthew 7:7). We are here, Lord, asking, seeking and knocking at your door!

We pray that you will reveal yourself to many people at Al-Azhar: the Grand Imam and all officials, heads of departments, professors, students, workers and others. Only you can move in this situation, O God. Open their eyes to see the love of God in Christ the Lord. Open their hearts to receive the truth. Take captive all opposition to your Word.

Inside that huge institution, there are people who are thirsty for the truth. Their tongues are parched, their hearts are aching, and only Jesus can quench their thirst (Isaiah 41:17; Revelation 21:6). Only he can fill their hearts with peace. I entreat you, O merciful God, to reveal Jesus to them.

The prodigal has been away for too long. Bring him home, my Lord and my God.

In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Promise

The LORD… will comfort all those who live among its ruins. He will make its desert like Eden. He will make its wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the sound of singing (Isaiah 51:3, GW).

Friday, July 8, 2016

Unfathomable! Beyond any expectations! Yet, it is true: If you are living for Jesus, God rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

Can this become the story of many Muslims who come to God through the cross of Jesus? Can God rejoice as Muslims put their faith in Jesus? Can God sing because of Muslims who receive eternal life in Christ? Yes! When we pray, God answers.

Prayer

Almighty God in heaven above, glory and honor, majesty and power belong to you. Indeed, we rejoice and delight greatly in you because you are our Savior. You saved us and dressed us in righteousness (Psalm 66:6; Isaiah 61:10; Luke 1:47; Philippians 4:4). You have written our names in heaven (Luke 10: 20).

We are humbled to know that you are happy with us. That is what your Word tells us, and we believe it.

May Muslims who have put their faith in Christ realize that they are children of the King. May their faith grow to know that God rejoices over them with joyful songs (Luke 15:10).

You, O Lord, rejoice and celebrate with loud singing, because Muslims are coming to Christ from east and west, north and south. They are putting their faith in the One who died for them and rose again victoriously.

That is overwhelming joy! Thank you. Amen.

Promise

“The Lord your God is with you…. He will take great delight in you… he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV).