Friday, January 26, 2018

At the cross, Jesus triumphed over Satan. Christ died to save us, then rose again and ascended to heaven. From there, he sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to his Church (Acts 2). Through the Spirit, Jesus provides us with many gifts (Ephesians 4:8). These are part of the glorious blessings he equips us with to minister, to build up the Church, the body of Christ, to be strong and mature and reach the complete measure of spiritual life he intended for us (Ephesians 4:12-13).

We have faith in God that his Church among Muslims will be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city on a hill (Matthew 5:13-14). Whether it is a church meeting in secret or in public, whether the assembly has two or three believers or hundreds and thousands, God will equip it with the gifts of the Spirit. And that is our prayer this week (read 1 Corinthians 12-14).

Prayer

Almighty God, draw Muslims to yourself, and manifest in them your deep sacrificial love and mighty power. Help me pray for them according to your will.

Your name is holy. You do great things; your mercy is from generation to generation toward those who fear you. You manifest the strength of your arm…. You fill the hungry with good things (Luke 1:49-53). I pray that you will put in the hearts of millions of Muslims a hunger and a thirst to seek you, to open their souls to Christ the Lord and receive the treasures you have for them. Fill them with your Holy Spirit. Grant them powerful manifestations and workings of the Spirit.

May your great glory be manifested in churches made up of Muslims who have been set free from Islam through the power of Jesus.

Glory, splendor, majesty and power belong to you, dear Father. I ask all this, not in my own authority; I have none. Rather, I come before you in the authority of Jesus, your Son, who gives me access to your throne through his cross. Amen.

Promise

To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV).

Friday, January 19, 2018

He was from the royal family in Judah. When the Babylonian king defeated Jerusalem, Daniel was taken to Babylon as a captive (Daniel 1:1-6)^[1]. There, he served in the royal court (2:49). When the Persians took over that kingdom, he was promoted to a very high position, second only to the king (6:3).

Even in his high position, he continued to be faithful to the Lord. His courageous testimony about his God to various kings indicates his commitment and determination. As he studied the Scriptures carefully (9:2), he realized his need to humble himself and seek God’s face in prayer and fasting. He pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his people and country (9:3ff).

This week we pray that the Lord will give his Church in Muslim lands men and women of God like Daniel—courageous, committed to the Lord, and ready to shoulder their responsibility.

Prayer

Lord of all the universe, Master of history, God of the impossible, we dare to come into your throne room, because Jesus died and opened up the way for us.

O God of measureless grace, grant leaders like Daniel to your Church among Muslims. Teach them knowledge and good judgment as they learn your commands. Guide their steps by your Word, so they will not be intimidated by the enemy or give in to evil. Give them discernment and courage to challenge kings and rulers and bring honor to your name.

Fulfill your promise to them. Reveal your gracious plans to them.

Father, I stand in your holy presence and ask by faith, because Jesus my Lord sacrificed his blood for me. Amen.

Promise

The Lord… will grant you the desire of your heart, and fulfill all your purposes. We will shout, for you are victorious, and in the name of our God, we will raise our banner. God will give you your every request (Psalm 20:4-5, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] All the references in this section are from the Book of Daniel.

Friday, January 12, 2018

Communities and gatherings of Muslims who have come to faith in Christ can now be found all over the world. While in some places, such as in the West, they enjoy freedom to worship, in countries where religious freedoms are less secure they face harsh persecution. Some believers even give their lives for Christ.

As the Church is planted and grows in difficult cultures, believers need to develop in strongly biblical ways. Their forms of worship should reflect their own background and identity as they:

• develop vocabulary for prayer and worship and for preaching and teaching in their own languages;
• compose songs from their hearts that represent the redeeming power of Christ; and
• work toward having the Bible in their own languages.

These are signs that the Spirit is alive and present in the Body of Christ. Vibrant faith and worship will help empower believers as they sacrifice for the cause of Christ.

Prayer

Wonderful God of saving power and love, we stand in prayer for your Church in Muslim lands. They are the Body of Christ, your sons and daughters, and you desire that they shine brightly for you (Philippians 2:15). Your Spirit has brought them into your Kingdom and lives in them to deepen their faith in you.

Bless them, O Lord. Unite them and make them one. Fill their gatherings with inspired worship and prayer, with anointed preaching and teaching. Holy Spirit, flow freely among our brothers and sisters through the power of your gifts. Encourage them as they face challenges and opposition to love not their own lives, but to speak boldly and wisely for you.

Amen.

Promise

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18, NIV).

Footnotes

^[1] Written by Tom Belt.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Man’s technological advances can be either a blessing or a curse. Cars, trains, planes, radio, television, computers, the Internet and many other inventions have both good and bad aspects.

A Saudi man was driving home from work and was listening to a Christian radio program for the first time in his life. He liked what he was hearing. At home, he went to the Internet and found the email address of an Arabic Christian site. When he contacted the managers of that site, they led him to the Lord; and he started to live for Christ with great joy. Yes, in the middle of that Muslim land, technology proved to be a great blessing!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the intelligence you have given humans and the creative abilities with which you have endowed them. You have given us the ability to invent and be creative. From the dawn of creation, people have been able to build cities, make musical instruments and forge bronze and iron (Genesis 4:17-22). Now technology is making its mark in human societies!

You are the God of trains, cars, airplanes, mammoth ships and spacecraft. You are the God of telegraph, telephone and the Internet. You are the God of radio, television and satellite dishes. You are the God of computers, email and web pages.

We bring before you, Lord God, hundreds of millions of Muslims. May technological progress prove to be for them a means to receive and know the Truth. Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. As they travel around the world, surf the Internet, use their cell phones, receive email and watch television, may they hear the message of Christ’s sacrificial love presented very clearly and powerfully, and may they receive it with joy. May they come to know Jesus Christ and yield their lives to him. May they crown him King and Lord over their lives.

For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Promise

Man’s hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains. He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures. He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light….The fear of the Lord–that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding (Job 28:9-11, 28).