Friday, September 27, 2019

He lived A.D. 1232-1316. He was part of the Spanish nobility. In his youth, he lived a life of immorality and dissipation. He boasted that no woman could resist his advances. Finally, his pious wife took the children and left him. He followed her, and during that pursuit, he saw a vision of Jesus. He abandoned his sins and started following the crucified Savior.

Later, he decided to launch an appeal to Muslims to come to Christ through love, using dialogue and reasoning. His strategy was to prepare men of God in large numbers to be knowledgeable in Christian doctrine, fluent in Arabic, and skilled in Muslim culture and beliefs. For nine years he studied Islam, its religion, culture and traditions, and immersed himself in studying the Arabic language. Finally, he went to Tunisia to the famed Zaytuna Mosque. There he had serious discussions with the local leaders and offered them the message of Christ’s love and sacrifice. Although his witness for Christ caused him to be arrested and deported, he returned to North Africa two more times. On his last visit there, he was tortured and gave his life for the sake of his Savior.

He was the first intentional missionary to Muslims, and he carried out his task with commitment and sacrifice.

Prayer

Merciful and redeeming Lord, you are worthy of every sacrifice we make for your sake. Thank you for calling Raymond Lull to go to North Africa. You still call people today.

I pray that many of your children will take the message of the cross to Muslims as Lull did. Give them a passion for the lost. May they never stop hearing the cries of the Christless, hurting world. May their hearts beat with your love for those who do not know you. Fill their minds with the eternal consequence of Calvary. Help them as they study new languages, cultures and ways of life. May their motto be as that of Lull’s, “He who loves not lives not; he who lives by the Life cannot die.”^[1]

May they see miracles happen as lives are changed. Glory and honor and praise to you, our God. Amen.

Promise

Please sir, do you remember me? I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I asked him to give me this boy, and he has granted my request (1 Samuel 1:26-27, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] Raymund Lull, by Samuel Zwemer, 1902, p.45.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Muslims believe that God exists; but for them he is far off, remote. In recent years there has been a wave of widespread violence, killings and massacres—perpetrated, condoned and defended by Muslims. Seeing such atrocities, many Muslims are shocked and disappointed with their own religion. They reason, “If Islam is like this, we want nothing to do with it.” So, many have turned away from Islam to atheism. If they talk openly about that decision in their own Muslim countries, they risk losing their lives.

Muslim atheists are now a phenomenon in Islam! May the Church reach out to minister Christ, the Prince of Peace, to these disheartened souls.

Prayer

Maker of the universe, Creator of all things, thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility to pray for the Muslims who have turned to atheism.

Savior of sinners, bring them to the cross of Christ to see and feel the agony the Son of God endured for their sake. Lead them to surrender their lives to you and accept your forgiveness.

Turn their hearts and minds to “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable … excellent or praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8). Be their portion (Lamentations 3:24), their strength and shield (Psalm 28:7), that they may serve you with joy and integrity.

Help your Church know how to minister with love and compassion to those who no longer believe. “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

I will free the prisoner from the hand of the mighty one. I will recover the loot from the hand of the tyrant. I will fight your enemies, and I will rescue your children from them (Isaiah 49:25, SAB).

Friday, September 13, 2019

For the past two decades, Muslim terrorists have been launching major attacks against the United States and Europe. Examples include: New York, London, Madrid, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and Manchester. Western governments, scrambling to ward off further attacks, attempt to distance Muslims from terrorism. Many have described Islam as a peaceful religion, supported its inclusion in church ecumenical relations, and described it as one of the three Abrahamic religions!

Granted, not all Muslims are terrorists, not even most of them. But terrorism has been ingrained in the Islamic faith since its inception. Instead of letting this trigger negative feelings toward Muslims, we should see them as Jesus sees them: sinners in need of his salvation. Only God’s love manifested at Calvary can transform terrorists into saints.

 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are meek and humble and full of love and compassion. You refused to allow your disciples to use any kind of violence (Matthew 26:51-54; Luke 9:51-56).

Almighty God, I ask you to change Islam’s violence into Christ-centered acts of mercy and sacrificial love. Please draw Muslims to yourself, Redeemer and Savior of all mankind. Cover them with the atoning power of your cross. Fill their minds with your kindness and their beings with your gentleness. Let your peace rule in their hearts. May the Word of Christ dwell richly in them (Colossians 3:15-16). In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

Promise

May the Lord bless you and guard you. May the Lord’s face shine upon you and give you mercy. May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26, SAB).

 

Who Travel to Muslim Lands

Friday, September 6, 2019

At any given time, some 10,000 commercial airplanes are in the air around our globe. People are constantly traveling as tourists, professionals, students, or relatives visiting families. Travel destinations include Muslim countries as well as countries with sizeable Muslim populations.

This week we are praying for believers in Jesus who travel in and out of Muslim lands. As they meet, make friends, and interact with Muslims every day, we pray for them to have open doors to share the Gospel. Often, the doors are already wide open. May their meetings and interactions become occasions for sharing Christ. They could simply share a personal story of faith or give a copy of the Scriptures. Or they could direct their Muslim friend to a Christian television show or a radio program. Whatever means is available, Christians who travel to Muslim lands have opportunities to share Christ.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Christians travel into Muslims lands every day. They have professional associations, friendships, and other opportunities to meet Muslims. Transform those everyday meetings into occasions for sharing the Gospel.

Give your servants the vision, courage and love to overcome obstacles that make sharing their faith risky. Whether the Christian visitors are on tours, in universities, or engaging in some business endeavor, we ask you, Holy Spirit, to direct their conversations to Jesus. Open Muslim hearts to realize their need of you. Anoint your servants to address their Muslim friends with power as they share their testimony and the truth of the Gospel. Amen.

Promise

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7 NIV).

Footnotes

^[1] Written by Tom Belt.