Friday, September 1, 2017

During this season, Muslims the world over celebrate Id al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice (other names are used in different areas). This celebration commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son (Ishmael, according to Islam) in obedience to God’s command. God provided a ram for Abraham to offer instead.

For the celebration, each family or group of families kills an animal, usually a sheep. Wherever Muslims are, whether in Mecca taking part in the hajj (pilgrimage) or anywhere else in the world, their religion requires that they slaughter an animal.

Prayer

Merciful and redeeming God, I ask you to open Muslims’ eyes during this season to see the Lamb you provided for the atonement of the sin of the world. May they open their hearts to Christ who was led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7), who died on the cross, and who rose again to set us free from sin and condemnation.

Help Muslims realize that Jesus agonized, suffered, and died for them so that they could have joy, peace, and life in him.

May they accept your provision to redeem them “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Let them hear his cry on the cross declaring, “It is finished.” Then they will see how pointless it is to try to gain God’s favor through the millions of sacrifices they slaughter during this season.

Compassionate Father, reveal to Muslims the Lamb of God who now sits upon the throne in heaven. Draw them by your love to join saints and angels in singing the heavenly chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12).

Promise

Where is the lamb for the burnt offering? . . . God himself will provide the lamb (Genesis 22:7-8, NIV). There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, REB).

Friday, August 25, 2017

A true but very subtle and discreet “Jericho march” takes place in Mecca around the Kaaba, the most important Muslim shrine. A few believers in Christ, who have come out of Islam, travel to Mecca during the hajj season. They march around the Kaaba and claim it for the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.

I have a friend, a believer in Jesus, who used to travel weekly from Jeddah to Mecca. During at least one hajj season he toured the Kaaba, praying and pleading with God to declare his glory to Muslims gathered there, to give freedom to the Gospel in Mecca, and to grant that the name of Jesus would be preached freely inside the Kaaba.

Prayer

Almighty God, the only true God, worthy to be worshipped and adored, I tread here very cautiously. These brothers and sisters risk their lives to pray for the glory of Christ to be manifested. Multiply their numbers. Protect them and hedge around them with your angelic guard.

Answer their prayers and the prayers of many others who have been pleading at your throne of grace for decades. Open Mecca to the Gospel; dedicate the Kaaba for the preaching of the Truth. This request may sound like an impossible dream, and for us it seems impossible. But we know that for you, all things are possible.

Father, by your divine power, tear down the walls that Satan has erected to keep people from hearing the Gospel. We look to the cross where Jesus died to redeem all, including Muslims. We draw our victory from Calvary. And we rest at your feet in faith with expectation.

For the glory of Jesus, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Promise

I am about to hand Jericho, its king, and its warriors over to you (Joshua 6:2, GW).

Friday, August 18, 2017

Mecca, birthplace of Muhammad, is the holiest city of Islam. It has a population of over one million and is located in western Saudi Arabia in a dry valley surrounded by barren hills. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter this city.

Mecca is also the site of the Kaaba, the holiest Muslim shrine. It contains the Black Stone which the followers of Islam believe was sent from God. All Muslims face in the direction of the Kaaba when they pray. Annually more than two million Muslims from all over the world visit Mecca to do the hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage.

Prayer

Almighty God, I pray that Mecca will cry out to you for deliverance. Help its people realize that they need you. Let them hear your Word preached clearly. I come against Satan in Jesus’ name and pray for the people of Mecca and for their leaders. Deliver them, O God. Set them free from Satan’s bondage and from the chains of sin. Grant them eternal life. You provide “water in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:20). Please give the water of life to Meccans. Turn that city into holy ground where Christ will be worshipped and adored.

I pray for all Muslims as they face toward Mecca and pray five times a day. May they turn to Jesus and acknowledge him as their only way to approach God.

I pray for the vast numbers of pilgrims thronging toward Mecca during this season. Manifest your eternal love to them. May Christ reveal himself to them through signs, wonders, and miracles.

Promise

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places (Isaiah 45:2-3, NIV).

Friday, August 11, 2017

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. 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. During times of persecution and testing, may they have the boldness to serve the community of the faithful. Give them the courage and resolve to be always true and loyal to Jesus, and ready to practice their faith at great risk to their status and even to their life.

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).

Friday, August 4, 2017

Missionaries to Muslims pay a high price. They face many hardships: differences in culture, customs, language, and so forth, as well as attacks from the powers that hold sway over the Islamic system.

The harvest field in Muslim countries has drawn few workers. For believers who are considering missionary work, Islam appears puzzling, and Muslims seem unresponsive. Sometimes Christians are not willing to support missionaries to Muslim peoples because of preconceived ideas. Lately, however, these attitudes have been changing. The Church is becoming more sensitive to the need of Muslims to hear the Gospel, and more Christians are responding to God’s call to evangelize Muslims.

Prayer

Glorious God our Father, you exemplified missions to us: you sent your Son from heaven and came to our earth to redeem and save us. Our hearts are full of gratitude.

I pray for the missionaries who have left families, security, and comforts of life to go serve among Muslims. Lord God, you are their reward. Fill their lives with your presence, and show them your glory. Empower them with the Holy Spirit. May they speak with boldness and wisdom to proclaim the relevant, eternal message of the Gospel.

Grant them a productive and fruitful ministry. May they lead many Muslims to Christ and plant the Church triumphant in countless communities. Make them valiant as they proclaim the truth. O God, stop Satan from inflicting disease, discord, and disunity among your servants. In prayer, I come against satanic attacks on missionaries to Muslims in interpersonal relationships, morals, finances, family, health, and children. May they not become weary in the work they are doing for you (Galatians 6:9).

Glory, majesty, honor and power belong to you. Amen.

Promise

Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city (Acts 18:9-10, NIV).