Friday, July 27, 2018

How did a pack of hungry, starved lions become non-cannibalistic and refuse to eat the prophet Daniel? Read Daniel 6. Daniel said that God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths. They could not hurt him!

The Islamic State (ISIS) seeks to establish the rule of Islam all over the world. Their goal is to have the whole world under one State, one religion, one law. For some time, they have been using very violent methods: beheading people, burning them alive, raping women and children. Such cruelty is not new.^[2]

We pray that those who commit such atrocities will be transformed by the power of the Spirit of God into docile, gentle, and kind human beings. More than that, we pray that they will become servants of Christ, the merciful and compassionate Lord and Savior.

Prayer

Majestic God and most merciful Father, we bless you. We look around and see that “Every corner of the earth has become a den [or a nest] of violence” (Psalm 74:20). Enemies of the cross are raising “their flags as a token of their victory” (Psalm 74:4). Yet, we know that you are the One in control, and you are just.

We pray that you will “defend the weak and fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. …deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4).

Be a stronghold and a fortress for those who are helpless, feeble and abused. Protect them and wrap them in your arms of love.

We pray for those who are bereaved, who have lost loved ones and possessions. Hear and answer their prayers, comfort them, meet their needs.

We pray that families will be reunited and that they will acknowledge your mercy and love.

Father, bring ISIS members to the cross of Jesus. Manifest your love and sacrifice to them. Transform them into messengers of love, righteousness and compassion. Amen.

Promise

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5).

Footnotes

^[1] This expression is not original to me! Others have used it before.
^[2] Muhammad himself used very cruel methods to take revenge on his enemies. During some wars, Muslims flayed their enemies alive (e.g., in the Battle of Lepanto, 1565).

Friday, July 20, 2018

The Quran says that Jesus was born of a virgin (Surah 19:16-21). The Muslim holy book and Islamic traditions ascribe various miracles to Jesus, such as healing the sick, raising the dead and so forth. However, the Quran states that he was no more than a human being, a prophet like all other prophets (Surah 5:72, 75, 116). Islam thinks that Christians try to elevate Jesus to be God. Yet, the reality is that Jesus is not a man whom we are trying to elevate to be God; rather, he is God who humbled himself and became man.

Islam refuses to ascribe deity to Christ and rejects the doctrine that Jesus is the Son of God.

Prayer

Eternal Christ, Master and Lord of all the universe and of all history, I pray for my Muslim friends today. I ask you to illumine their hearts and minds so they can grasp these divine, spiritual truths that are hard for them to understand. Without your Spirit, they cannot understand them or accept them (1 Corinthians 2:14). And that is what I am asking now: please draw them to you by your Spirit.

O Jesus, our Savior and Lord, come in your love and compassion and reveal yourself to many Muslims this week. May they be saved by your divine power and become participants in the Kingdom of God. May they experience your love and care. May they acknowledge you as the Beginning and the End, the Son of God, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.

Promise

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5, NIV).

Friday, July 13, 2018

There is a Judgment Day coming for all the living and the dead. We will give an account of what we have done with our lives and with Christ’s call to follow him.

The Bible tells us that Jesus will be the Judge on that day: “For [God] has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31, NLT).

“Look, the Lord will come with myriads of his holy ones to judge all people. He will condemn the ungodly for all the evil deeds they have committed, and for every ugly word the godless sinners have spoken against him” (Jude 1:14-15, SAB; see also 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). 

Muslims believe that Jesus is only a prophet and will descend to earth at the end of time to rule over the world and judge all people. But they think he will then be a Muslim and judge according to Islamic precepts!

Prayer

Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Lord, we acknowledge you as the supreme Ruler and just Judge of all. I pray that you will open Muslims’ hearts to accept you. May they believe what you told us in your Word, that the Father “has given the Son absolute authority to judge” (John 5:22).

I plead with you that by the power of your mighty name many Muslims will surrender their lives to you and be spared the perils of Judgment Day. May the Holy Spirit convict them of sin, of righteousness and of the judgment to come (John 16:8).

May they be part of those who in heaven, washed in the blood of the Lamb, will sing everlasting anthems to the glory of our Savior and Redeemer: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13, NIV).

Amen.

Promise

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1, NLT).

Friday, July 6, 2018

If we want Muslims to come to Christ, we have to intercede for them. I am talking here about serious prayers that shake heaven and change hearts, prayers that prevail over the powers of darkness and bring the prodigal home. The Lord has given us the privilege to plead for the lost and ask God to save them.

Prayer

Great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, you who intercede on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14-16), teach me to intercede for Muslims. Give me compassion toward those who do not know you. May I be committed to pray for those who are far from you.

I do not find it easy to dedicate long periods of time to intercede for others, especially for people I do not know or understand.

I do experience what Abraham encountered when the vultures came down upon the animal parts that he had arranged as a symbol of your covenant with him (Genesis 15:11). Cares and thoughts, like vultures, try to tear apart my prayers! Help Lord! Help me drive away these distracting thoughts and concerns and keep my spiritual eyes on the face of my Master and King.

Great God, save Muslims! They have been drawn away from you—the fountain of living water—and have dug for themselves cracked and leaking cisterns that can hold no water at all (Jeremiah 2:13)! Almighty Savior, bring Muslims into sweet fellowship with Jesus their Redeemer, Lord and King.

May this be my daily prayer, my heart’s cry, my continual yearning.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Promise

The Lord will show you favor and answer you when he hears your cry for help…. If you ask anything in my name I will do it (Isaiah 30:19; John 14:14, REB).