Mecca

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).