Friday, March 31, 2017

Sharia is an Arabic word that means “a path to be followed.” In its most common use, it refers to Islamic law. The inference here is that Islamic law is the path that should be followed in various decisions. That law covers the whole of religious, social, economic, political, domestic and private life for all who profess Islam. There are two primary sources for the Sharia: the Quran (the holy book of Islam), and the sunna (what Muhammad said and did).

Punishments according to the Sharia include lashes for drinking alcohol, amputation of a limb for theft, stoning for adultery and homosexuality, and so forth.

In some places (such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, parts of Indonesia, and the Gaza Strip), government-appointed religious police regularly patrol public places to enforce Sharia law.

One goal of fundamentalist Muslims is to impose Sharia law wherever there are Muslim populations. They have even succeeded in having it used in the legal system in Great Britain.^[1]

Prayer

Eternal Father, Holy Son, Life-Giving Spirit, blessed be your majesty in heaven, O God (Ezekiel 3:12, SAB). I pray that you will help Muslims understand that although the Sharia allows them to kill sinners, that will never uproot sin. Help them repent of their self-righteousness and come to Christ, the only true Savior.

May your light shine on them and give them a glimpse of your immeasurable and unfathomable love (Ephesians 3:18-19).

By the power of the cross, may they receive eternal life and be transformed to experience your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Instead of declarations of blame, judgment, condemnation, and verdicts of death, may their vocabulary be transformed into expressions of redemption, forgiveness, cleansed hearts, pure minds, grace, victory, crucified self, songs of joy, and eternal life!

May your holy name be praised for ever and ever. In Jesus Christ, your Son, my Lord, amen.

Promise

We know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law (Galatians 2:16, NLT).

Footnotes

^[1] “The Telegraph”, March 22, 2014.

Friday, March 24, 2017

The most important foundations for violence in Islam are found in the teachings of the Quran and the example of the life of Muhammad.

Muhammad waged wars, used violence, carried off booty from conquered enemies, established a state and a government, used the sword, killed people, and promised his followers gain.^[1]

The Jews in Medina^[2] were subjected to Muhammad’s fury and rage. They pleaded with him to allow them to leave Medina, but he refused. They surrendered to him without any resistance. He then ordered trenches to be dug in the marketplace in Medina. About 600-900 Jewish men were beheaded and dumped in the trenches. The women and children were sold as slaves. The story of the prophet’s life is replete with many such atrocious and infamous acts.

Prayer

Our Father, the only true God, we thank you for the chance to pray to you on behalf of Muslims. They are in dire need of Jesus. Some of us may find it difficult to ask you to help people who are wreaking havoc through acts of terrorism. But we remember that you are forgiving and compassionate, and you have taught us to be the same.

I pray that through the power of the blood of Jesus and his sacrificial love, you bring Muslims to know you and live in fellowship with you. Help them repent. May they forget and put behind them Muhammad’s haunting legacy. Save them from going to eternity without Christ. Deal with them according to your grace and mercy, not as all of us fallen human beings deserve.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7).

Promise

By his blood, Christ redeemed us and forgave our sins. This is God’s abundant grace that he lavished on us (Ephesians 1:7-8, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] Quran 4:94; 48:19.
^[2] The tribe of Quraiza.

Friday, March 17, 2017

The missionary to Africa loved the people he was ministering to. He gave his life to help them. They too loved him. They came every day to his place—with their sores and sicknesses. He was not a doctor, but he would bind up their wounds and treat them. Then he would tell them about Jesus and pray for them. Miracles happened. People were healed. The crowds increased. So the missionary worked even harder from sunrise to dark. Then his health reached the breaking point, and he was forced to go back home to recover. A medical doctor was sent to replace him. He too was a missionary. But fewer people came. They knew he did not love them as the other man did. This doctor was simply performing a duty.^[1]

Do you love the people you minister to, or is your ministry mere duty? When you love Muslims with the love of Christ, you will be surprised at how open they are to come to Jesus.

Prayer

Loving and self-sacrificing God, I worship and bless you. You poured out your love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Roman 5:5). Thank you. I pray that by the same Spirit, you will put in my heart a special love for Muslims. They are lost, and they desperately need Jesus.

Grant me to tell them about the greatest love ever known and the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary. Anoint me with the Holy Spirit as I share the Good News with them. Fill my heart with compassion for the lost. May I see hard hearts melt and those who are utterly lost come to Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior!

In his precious name I pray. Amen.

Promise

The poor and the needy look for water and find none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD shall provide for their wants; I, the God of Israel, shall not forsake them (Isaiah 41:17, REB).

Footnotes

^[1] The Story of Teddy Hodgson as told in A Man Called Mr. Pentecost, Logos, Plainfield, NJ, 1977, pp. 159-161.

Friday, March 10, 2017

One of the most important ways to bring Muslims to Christ is to love them. Nothing can replace genuine love for the lost. It touches people’s hearts and attracts them to the Savior. Love should be the driving force in reaching out to people with the Gospel. God loves them, and so should I.

Some Christians may find Muslims hard to understand and love. Or perhaps their impression of Muslims is unfavorable, based on fear or lack of information. Even if Muslims do not love Christ’s followers or appreciate our kindness and love for them, even if some intend evil for us, Jesus told us to love, bless and pray for such people.

Prayer

Lord God, our loving and compassionate Heavenly Father, Jesus’ blood that was shed on Calvary is the foundation of our victory over the powers of darkness. Fill my heart with deep, genuine, sacrificial love for Muslims, and help me to take up my cross and reach out to them with the Good News of salvation through Christ. Help me be willing and ready to sacrifice anything for you. May I look to Jesus as my example. He loved me and paid the ultimate price to save me. He died for me.

May Muslims find in me the sweet fragrance of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).. I pray that my attitude toward them will manifest God’s transforming power and undying love. May my life be a page that expresses what the loving Father wants to say to lost Muslims.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Promise

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your

heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26, NIV).

Friday, March 3, 2017

Muslim missionaries and various Islamic agencies give away money, housing, wives and medical help in an effort to gain converts to Islam. They are backed by governments, the petroleum industry and mammoth budgets. They use enticements to lure people to their religion. Yet the one thing they cannot offer is what Christ gives us: salvation from sin, freedom from satanic power, and peace, joy and love.

No matter how many millions of dollars Muslims spend to promote and spread Islam around the world, they cannot give their converts the one thing men and women need: a conscience free from the guilt of sin (Hebrews 9:9). Jesus is the only Redeemer and Savior of humankind.

Prayer

Lord God, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath (1 Kings 8:23)! I bring Muslims to your attention today. Their rulers and princes, their religious leaders and forefathers have not kept your law; they have paid no attention to your Word. While Muslims are enjoying great material prosperity in the petrol-producing countries, they show no interest in Christ and his precepts (Nehemiah 9:34-35).

God of Peniel, you granted Jacob a divine face to face encounter (Genesis 32:22-30). Reveal yourself to Muslims this week. Wake them from their slumber, Lord God Almighty! Free them from the nightmare of their Christless life. Turn their sadness and mourning into joy and dancing! Deliver them from the religion that does not recognize you as our Father. Put new words in their hearts and a new song on their lips, words and songs they have never known before. May they come to you and start calling you “Our heavenly Father”!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Promise

I will rescue the captive from the warrior’s grip, and will retrieve the plunder from the hand of the oppressor (Isaiah 49:25, SAB).