Friday, September 28, 2018

Since ancient times, the Kurds have occupied an area northeast of Mesopotamia known as Kurdistan. However, that area today is divided among Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. When the Church Council of Nicaea was held in A.D. 325, there were Christian representatives from the Kurdish region. That is the council that formulated the Nicene Creed.

Today, there are about 30 million Kurdish people. Most of them live in the countries mentioned above, while the rest are scattered throughout Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world. For many decades, they have been struggling to unify their homeland and gain independence and identity.

While most Kurds are Muslim, there is a religious tolerance among them that is rare among other Muslim groups. In fact, recently many Kurds have abandoned Islam to follow other religions.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I intercede for the Kurdish people. Send the light of your Son, Jesus our Lord, to shine in the hearts of millions of Kurds. Open their hearts to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

O Lord Jesus, Lord of the harvest, I ask you to send Gospel workers to the Kurds. Call many believers to share the Good News with these people. I pray also for the missionaries, pastors and evangelists who are serving there now. Pour out your Holy Spirit on them, and enable them to be effective witnesses. Protect their families and encourage them.

I pray for our fellow believers in Christ among the Kurds, our spiritual brothers and sisters. Guard and keep them. Protect them from the assaults of the enemy that tries to inflict disease, strife, loss, sin and suffering.

Alleviate the suffering of the Kurdish people. As they endure mistreatment and persecution from their fellow humans and coreligionists, reveal yourself to them in your compassion, love and care.

In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Promise

We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it (Numbers 13:30, NIV).

Friday, September 21, 2018

The Sharif Study Bible seeks to help Muslims who come to Christ become grounded in the Word. It contains articles, notes, illustrations, maps, word studies and many other study helps. It does the following:

• Provides helpful cultural, historical and geographical information;
• Presents homiletical notes that help preachers and teachers;
• Challenges readers with applications and questions for a deeper life in Christ;
• Answers the questions Muslims ask as they are exposed to God’s eternal Word.

Work on the Sharif Study Bible has been in progress for some time, and we hope it will be published soon.

Prayer

Lord God our Heavenly Father, throughout history you spoke many times through the prophets. Finally, you spoke to us by your holy Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1). We thank you.

Your Word is vital to our lives as believers. So, we pray for the completion of the Sharif Study Bible. Help all who work on it to be sensitive to your Spirit, handle correctly the Word of God, and declare the truth of the Gospel with integrity.

When this volume is published, may it help all those who work with Muslims and enable them to declare your truth with power, simplicity and clarity. May it be a tool to bring millions of Muslims to the Kingdom of our Savior. Help Muslim believers in Christ understand and value your Word and find life, joy and peace through it. Teach them how to share your Word with others—”Share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared” (Nehemiah 8:10).

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Promise

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach the truth, to rebuke error, to correct wrong, and to guide to righteousness, so that a person who belongs to God will be prepared and equipped to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17, SAB).

Friday, September 14, 2018

Muslims use the Hijra calendar. The word Hijra refers to Muhammad’s escape from the Arabs in Mecca who were trying to kill him. Under cover he fled to Medina where the Jews welcomed him. The Hijra calendar counts years starting with that event. It follows the lunar system, so a year has only 354 days.

Muslims the world over use this calendar to date their religious celebrations and past historic events. It is an important community tie that binds them together.

During this time, the Muslim New Year begins.

Prayer

God of history, of past, present and future, I bring Muslims to you as they celebrate the beginning of their new year. During this time of rejoicing and festivities, show them, O God, that they can find everlasting joy in Christ the Lord.

While they are commemorating the escape of Muhammad from his enemies, bring to their attention the fact that Jesus Christ, who could have escaped from his enemies, refused to do so. He was determined to accomplish what he had come for, and went to the cross where he suffered and died to redeem us.

Change the hearts of many Muslims this week, and transform them by the power of the Holy Spirit to become new creatures in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Promise

If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment (Job 36:11, NIV).

Friday, September 7, 2018

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 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 that, Obadiah did not allow his high position in the king’s palace to corrupt him. Harsh 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 boldness to serve the community of the faithful. Give them courage and resolve to remain true and loyal to Jesus and 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).