Friday, April 28, 2017

For the past 14 centuries, Islam has opposed Christ. It has proclaimed Muhammad the greatest and last of all prophets, the Quran the final revelation from God to man, and the Sharia the best law for humans.

During all that time, the Church seemed to be at a loss to know what to do regarding Islam.

However, intensive prayers for Muslims have arisen in recent decades. Many God-fearing, Christ-worshipping brothers and sisters around the world are interceding for Muslims. We believe God is answering our prayers, and a great shaking is about to take place. We believe that Muslims will come to Christ in unprecedented numbers. He is the only Lord and Savior. He alone is the one true refuge.

Prayer

Almighty God, our compassionate and merciful Father, we come to you with a sense of awe and responsibility to pray for the vast Muslim world. For too long, Muslims have been under a severe and ruthless taskmaster.

In the past, you caused the earth and mountains to tremble and quake (Judges 5: 4-5; Psalm 114:7; Isaiah 64: 1; Micah 1:3-4). We are asking for a mighty display of your power and majesty. We pray that you will send a great awakening to Muslim nations and societies. May you come down and shake the very foundations of Islam. Let your Holy Spirit convict many Muslims and bring them to Jesus.

Lord, prepare the Church for that great stirring. Give your people the wisdom to know what to do when millions of Muslims move to enter the gates of the Kingdom!

In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Promise

The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

I will shake all the nations, they will bring their treasures, and I will fill this house with glory (Haggai 2:7, SAB).

Friday, April 21, 2017

In reality, the Quran is a jumble of mismatched incidents of history, contradicting teachings and haphazard information. Muslims are not allowed to ask questions that express doubt or incredulity about their religion. Severe punishment is meted out to those who dare challenge their creed. In the past, this put terror in the hearts of thinkers. But not today. There is a ripple of dissatisfaction in today’s generation that lives in a global village and uses computers, cell phones and the internet! Because of technological connectedness, the notion that Muslims are not supposed to ask questions does not play well among the educated of the 21st century. Many of them refuse to parrot their forefathers.

The very foundations of Islam are shaking (see Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6: 47-49)!

Prayer

All-wise and gracious Lord and God, our Father and Redeemer, we thank you for your love and sacrifice at Calvary.

We sense you want to tell Muslims, “The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The oracles they gave you were false and misleading” (Lamentations 2:14). It is true, Muslims have listened to false, worthless and misleading visions. And now they are in a miserable captivity. That is why we are approaching your throne of grace today. Have mercy on them. Lead them to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ, the only Savior from sin, the only One who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

I pray that you will rescue them from the dominion of darkness and bring them into the Kingdom of your beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).

Promise

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28, NLT).

Friday, April 14, 2017

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, April 7, 2017

There are many teachings in Islam that we, believers in Christ, can use as bridges to help Muslims draw near to and enter the Kingdom of God. The Quran states that God created Adam and Eve, that he sent the flood but rescued Noah, that he spoke to Abraham, that he gave the Torah (Pentateuch) to Moses, that he sent Jesus who was born of a virgin.

All these narratives, common to both Muslims and Christians, can be used as bridges to bring Muslims closer to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This does not mean that all the details of these stories in Islam are in full agreement with the biblical accounts, but they can work as starting points. It is also rewarding to establish friendships with Muslims as you seek to share with them the Gospel of Christ. Friends trust each other, depend on each other and desire each other’s wellbeing. Building bridges of common narratives and friendship pays dividends.

Prayer

Great God in heaven, because of your mercy and grace we come into your presence. We bow down in awe and reverence before you, our Creator and Redeemer. We present our needs to you. Anoint me and my fellow prayer warriors with your Spirit and wisdom.

Muslims need to come to Jesus, know his person and work, and receive his grace. Help me declare the message of the Cross with love, clarity and effectiveness. Give me courage to tell Muslims about the measureless love of God at Calvary. Touch their hearts with your grace. Fill their minds with your Word.

Open my eyes to see and understand your plans and purposes for Muslims. Help me follow the example of Jesus who went about teaching, preaching and healing (Matthew 9:35).

In his mighty name I pray. Amen.

Promise

Foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him… these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer (Isaiah 56:6-7, NIV).