Muslim Cities

Friday, March 23, 2018

This coming Sunday, Western Christendom celebrates Palm Sunday. What happened on that occasion 20 centuries ago was totally unexpected. It shook the city and caused the authorities to shudder.

An outsider riding into Jerusalem on a donkey to celebrate Passover was not an unusual sight. Yet, on this day, large crowds gathered around a particular rider to give him a royal welcome. Some threw their clothes on the road, while others spread tree branches as welcome mats! They shouted his praises joyfully. They called him Son of David. Yes, the rider was Jesus!

That is how Jesus was welcomed into the capital city on Palm Sunday. It is our prayer that many Muslim capitals will welcome him today.

Prayer

Hosanna to the Son of David! …Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Matthew 21:9; Luke 19: 38). Almighty God, for a million cities, towns and communities teeming with Muslims, I plead with you that they will welcome Christ the King.

You alone are Almighty. You divided the Red Sea before the children of Israel, and they passed through on dry ground (Nehemiah 9:11). By your divine power you direct the hearts of kings as streams of water (Proverbs 21:1). Grant us the freedom to preach the cross in Mecca, the place designated by Muslims as the holiest site on earth. May Jesus Christ reveal his glory there.

I am worshipping at the throne of Almighty God. I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to do far more than I could ever dream (2 Timothy 1:12). This is my hope and my faith.

Praise and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever (Revelation 5:13, SAB). Amen.

Promise

From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One” (Isaiah 24:16, NIV).