Friday, April 26, 2019

Paul was an extraordinary missionary, but he also had a secular profession. He was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Whenever it was needed, he was ready to work with his own hands to support himself as well as others who worked in the ministry with him (Acts 2:34; 1 Corinthians 4:12). He worked hard to make a living so as not to be a financial burden on others (1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9). He wanted to be a model and example for others.

Today, there are many believers in Christ who intentionally do the same. While working in their own profession and trade, they take the message of hope and joy to the lost world.

Prayer

God, our Father in heaven, glory and honor and majesty belong to you. Thank you for calling us to serve you and be your ambassadors to the nations.

I pray that you will manifest your awesome power through those who carry the burden of working in their professions to support themselves while trying to bring the lost to your Kingdom.

Remind them always of who they are, children of the King; of what they are, saved by grace; and where they are, on an errand for the Master to save the lost and bring glory to the Lord.

Grant them endurance and strength. Bless them with quality time in your presence, with their families and with those whom they seek to bring to you. Reward their labor with abundant fruit—people who will hear the call of God and follow Jesus the Lord.

We ask all this for the sake of our Master and Lord, Christ our Redeemer, Savior and God. Amen.

Promise

The LORD who appeared in the burning bush wants to give you the best the land can produce, and it will be a princely crown on Joseph’s head (Deuteronomy 33:16, CEV).

Friday, April 19, 2019

Today we remember Jesus’ crucifixion, the only means by which we have eternal life. Islam rejects the fact that Jesus died on the cross. The Quran states that he was never crucified, that he never died, and that instead, God lifted him up alive to heaven. Muslims reason that God would not let Jesus, the good prophet, die such an ignominious death on a cross for sins that others committed.

Muslims do not see the seriousness of humans’ sinful nature, so they rule out the need for redemption. For them the cross is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

Prayer

God Almighty, our loving Heavenly Father, we acknowledge you as our eternal Redeemer. We come humbly, awed by your love and Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary. What shame and pain he endured to save us from sin and doom! The Lamb of God died to give us life. Thank you.

My Muslim friends do not understand that Christ’s death on the cross was your supreme gift to sinful humans. Help them realize that they are sinners who need redemption. Show them the power of the cross that saves us from sin and transforms our lives from darkness to light and from the kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God.

Convict them of their serious sin of rejecting the cross. May they believe your Word and accept the Gospel. I plead for Muslims. Help them believe that Jesus died to redeem them from their sins and rose to justify them. Remove the veil from their minds. Open their eyes. Capture their hearts with your love.

All praise and glory to you, crucified and risen Christ, the First and the Last, the Living One who died and who is alive for ever and ever. Amen.

Promise

For the message of the cross is sheer nonsense to those who are lost, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18, SAB).

Will Welcome Christ

Friday, April 12, 2019

This coming Sunday, Western Christendom celebrates Palm Sunday. We remember that Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly, yet humbly; he came riding on a donkey. The crowds wanted to express their joy. They went out to receive him, carrying palm branches and spreading their clothes on the road. They lifted their voices in adoration and praise. That was the way conquerors and kings were welcomed home from their victories.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Majestic and Almighty Savior, you humbled yourself to be gracious to us. You stooped down to be our Redeemer. We worship you. You alone are God. You alone are our Master. You are the visible image of the invisible God. Everything was created by you and for your glory: cities and nations, kings and kingdoms, rulers and authorities. You could have entered Jerusalem in a gold chariot studded with pearls and precious stones, but instead you rode in on a donkey. What humility!

I pray that you will enter triumphantly into cities and towns that are presently labeled as Muslim fortresses.

May you enter people’s hearts and change them. May many Muslims this week own you, Jesus Christ, as their Deliverer, Redeemer and King eternal. I pray that they will experience your love, compassion and tenderness. May they, in throngs, shout from the depths of their souls, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! … Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come…. Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Matthew 21:9; Revelation 4:8; 5:12, NIV).

Promise

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth (Psalm 67:4, NIV).

Friday, April 5, 2019

Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, claimed that one night he traveled on the back of a winged donkey from the mosque in Mecca to the mosque in Jerusalem. From there he reportedly ascended to heaven, where he saw several prophets and had an audience with God. Afterwards all the prophets came to him, and he led them in prayer. Finally, he returned to Mecca—all in the same night (Quran 17:1).

It is interesting to note that there were no mosques in either Mecca or Jerusalem at that time!

Prayer

Majestic God in heaven, blessed be your holy name. I bow down in your presence and worship you. Thank you for entrusting me with the task of praying for others. I bring Muslims before you. I intercede on their behalf and appeal to you to set them free.

Lord God, Muslims have sat in darkness and gloom for so long. Show them your mercy and grace, O God. Give them wisdom, intelligence and sharp insight to realize that it is pointless to build their belief system on fables and traditions of humans. Rescue them from the grip of a merciless enemy that is plotting their ruin and doom.

Help them run to Jesus and live in the light of his Word. Grant them freedom through the cross of Calvary. As a fellow prayer warrior has prayed, give them “a desire for what is true, a hunger for what is righteous, and a determination to refuse all substitutes, no matter how attractively presented.”^[1]

In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Promise

The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!… The pastures will soon be green. The trees will again be filled with luscious fruit; fig trees and grapevines will flourish once more (Psalm 118:16; Joel 2:22, NLT).

Footnotes

^[1] Eugene Peterson, Praying with the Prophets, January 31.