Friday, December 2, 2016

Muslims are required to obey blindly and follow Islamic religious precepts without questioning or reasoning. Critical reading of religious texts is forbidden. Most Muslim schools rely heavily on rote memorization of the Quran as well as other material.

Mainline Islam discourages questions about religion, believing that “to think is to be an infidel.”^[1] So one should not inquire or argue, but just accept. Rational thinking is said to be like “an ass; you ride it only till you get to the king’s palace. In order to enter, you need to leave it at the gate. Islam is the king’s palace. You need to leave your reasoning [at the gate] in order to enter [Islam] God’s religion!”^[2]

Prayer

Lord God our Maker, majesty, power, glory and honor belong to you. You made us rational beings with amazing brains to reason and think. For that, we thank you and praise you.

You take no pleasure in seeing people die without having hope in Christ (Ezekiel 18:23). I pray for Muslims who think they are betraying God and their society if they question their religion.

Free their minds from such fetters. Give them clear and sharp minds (1 Peter 4:7). Grant them wisdom to decide to live for the One who died to save them. May Christ, the light of the world, shine in their hearts with his unfailing love and enduring mercy. May they receive him as their Lord and know the joy of his forgiveness and love.

In your great compassion, do not abandon Muslims in their desert (Nehemiah 9:19). Guide them with your light to the cross. Help them to love the Lord their God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their mind (Mark 12:30).

In the mighty and glorious name of Jesus. Amen.

Promise

Be transformed by renewing your mind. Then you will know God’s will, for it is good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] In Arabic: alfikru kufron!

^[2] As quoted in The Closing of the Muslim Mind, , p. 116 &

Friday, November 25, 2016

Islamic banks do business according to the guidelines of Islamic law (Sharia). That law does not permit interest of any kind on loans. Investments are to be made only in goods considered permissible by Islam (halal). For example, they do not invest in alcohol or pork products or gambling.

Islamic banks have the same goal as all other banks: they want to make a profit. So, how do they do that? They change words used in the financial industry in order to avoid the prohibitions! Accordingly, instead of lending money and collecting interest on it, they “rent” the money and collect “rent” on it! Instead of collecting interest for credit card purchases, they collect “penalties” for not paying the full balance immediately!

When you plan to buy a home, you need a mortgage. If you go to an Islamic bank, the bank buys the house from the original owner and turns around and sells it to you at a profit. Then they let you pay the price in monthly installments!

Each Islamic bank has a board of Muslim scholars to make sure that transactions comply with the rules of religious law.

Prayer

O the depth of your riches and wisdom and knowledge, Lord God! How unsearchable are your judgments and how inscrutable your ways! (Romans 11:33).

You care for all peoples, tribes and nations. You see from heaven above the exponential growth of the Islamic financial industry around the world. You know that fanatic fundamentalist beliefs initiated these banks, and that the incredible income from oil has nurtured and amplified their success.

I pray for the owners of these banks, for their employees and workers, for shareholders, investors and borrowers. Bless them by leading them to the knowledge of Christ the Lord and Redeemer of all humankind. May they confess Jesus as their Lord and King. Help them dedicate their lives and talents to the cause of the Gospel of grace and love.

I pray for the scholars on the Sharia boards of these banks. Bring them to Calvary to see Jesus who gave himself to save humans from sin. In his name I pray. Amen.

Promise

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones (Proverbs 3:7-8, NLT).

Friday, November 18, 2016

The concept of taqiyah allows Muslims to deceive non-Muslims. This word means to mislead, dissimulate or outwit.^[1] So a Muslim who feels threatened because of his religion can deny anything that might endanger him—even his faith!^[2]

Taqiyah is based on quranic verses such as: “Let not believers take disbelievers as supporters… except if you fear danger from them” (Quran 3:28, Noble Translation, p. 71).

Muslim commentators explain this verse as follows:

1. “If you, Muslims, are under non-Muslim authority, and you fear for your safety, act as if you are loyal to those non-Muslims… while hiding inner hatred for them.”^[3]
2. “When a Muslim fears evil from non-Muslims, he may protect himself through outward show.”^[4]
3. “Let us grin in some people’s faces while our hearts curse them.”^[5]

So Muslims can act like non-Muslims and even claim they are Christians to protect themselves!

Prayer

Lord Christ, Light of the world, the way and the truth and the life, we worship and adore you. Our hearts groan for Muslims who do not know you as the glorious Lord and loving Savior.

We are surprised that this teaching is part of their religion. We are tempted to denounce them for sanctioning deception. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to intercede for Muslims with compassion.

You desire honesty, truth and integrity (Psalm 51:6). We pray for those who deceive others. Draw them to you and cheer their hearts with your divine presence. Lead them by the hand to the cross, shower your mercy upon them and help them experience your grace.

When Muslims who have come to Jesus share the Gospel, fill them with courage they have never known before. In Christ’s name I pray.

Promise

“If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32, GW).

Footnotes

^[1] Hans Weir, p. 1282.
^[2] Taqiyah in Islamic Thought (Arabic), Dr Sayyed Thamer Amidi, Risalah Center, n.d., p.11.
^[3] At-Tabari, d. 923.
^[4] Ibn Kathir, d. 1373.
^[5] Abu Darda, one of Muhammad’s close companions.

Friday, November 11, 2016

This Sunday has been designated as a day of prayer for the persecuted Church worldwide. Christians are suffering severe persecution in many parts of the world. It is estimated that more Christians were martyred in the 20th century than in the prior 19 centuries combined! In Muslim countries, the followers of Christ are often mistreated, imprisoned and murdered.

The Islamic system does not allow freedom of religion. The system’s guardians include the religious, political and social authorities. They have a long arm through the government and police, the mosque and sheikhs, work and family, friends and neighbors, and so forth. The system persecutes and disposes of people who leave Islam. Today untold numbers of our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering persecution.

Prayer

Sovereign God, as Herod, Pilate and other leaders made plans against Jesus (Acts 4: 27), today rulers and common people are persecuting your children!

My brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution do not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (Revelation 12:11). Perhaps I do not know them personally, but I intercede on their behalf. You told us to “bear one another’s burdens,” so I want to stand alongside them. They are members of the Body of Christ, and when one member suffers, the rest of the body suffers.

O God Almighty, be with those who are going through a nightmare of mistreatment, beatings and abuse. I bring their plight to your attention, merciful Father. Visit them. Soothe their pain. Comfort their souls. Encourage their hearts. May your face shine upon them.

I pray that you will wake up the Church around the world to pray for persecuted believers and come to their assistance. Some Christians occupy influential positions and could act to alleviate the pain of our suffering brothers and sisters. Father, help them not to be silent. Move them to respond to the tragedy of the persecuted Church.

Promise

“Your healing will quickly appear… the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. …you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. …your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD… will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” (Isaiah 58:8-11, NIV).

Friday, November 4, 2016

Fatima al-Mutairi lived in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. Although she was raised in a Muslim family of influence and power, she was searching for meaning in life. She read the New Testament on the internet and gave her life to Christ. She started writing poetry to praise the Savior. When her brother found out, he beat her with intense cruelty, broke her bones, cut off her tongue, then dragged her outside the house and burned her alive. She was 26 years old.

Fatima’s story, with different details, is repeated multiple times each day. Every year, close to 100,000 people are martyred for being Christian.^[1]

No price is too high to pay for the sake of him who gave his life to redeem and save us.

Prayer

Most high and majestic God over all the earth (Psalm 83:18), may you be exalted and praised for ever and ever. We thank you for people like Fatima. Only you can give such courage and determination. It is your Holy Spirit who worked in Fatima’s heart to bring her to you and sustain her in the face of horrific and ghastly abuse.

I pray for my Muslim friends who have decided to follow Jesus. They know the price is very high. Threats to their lives are indeed a reality. Strengthen them. Visit them. Set their hearts on fire so they can remain loyal to you, obedient to your Word, and willing to sacrifice all for the sake of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I pray for all who are in authority in Muslim-majority countries. Change their hearts. Bring them to the cross. Change them into vessels of honor and righteousness. Help them bring many of their fellow citizens to your Kingdom.

All hail to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the One True God, amen.

Promise

The Lord is my light and my salvation. I will fear no one (Psalm 27:1).

(These were Fatima’s final words before she was brutally killed.)

Footnotes

^[1] Statistics of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.