Friday, February 28, 2020

Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! That is the modern name for what the Bible calls Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word “Mesopotamia” means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name “Iraq” means country with deep roots.

Indeed, Iraq is a country with deep roots and is very significant in the Bible. No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated with it than does Iraq. Here are a few examples: the Garden of Eden was in Iraq; the Tower of Babel was in Iraq; Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq (today it is called Al Nasriya); Isaac’s wife Rebecca was from a town in Iraq; Jacob met Rachel in Iraq; Jonah preached in Nineveh, which is in Iraq (now called Mosul); and so forth.

Prayer

Eternal God, our Father, Savior, and Lord, blessed be your holy name for ever and ever. I bring to your attention the 40 million people in the Republic of Iraq. They need Jesus. They are lost without him. Open their hearts to receive your love. Fill their minds with your joy and peace. Help them understand the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and realize the enormous cost you paid to bring them from darkness to light.

I pray for the church in Iraq. Help the few remaining Christians who have not already fled the country. In your mercy, remember the church leaders. Their lives are on the line. Many of them have the courage and stamina to stay to take care of the sheep. Protect them. Reward them. Help them win the lost.

In your mercy, remember the rulers and leaders of the country. May the light of Christ shine in their hearts and minds. Grant them grace to give freedom to the Gospel. May Iraq become a leader in the region in bringing Muslims to Jesus.

Promise

I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon…. [and] put my sword in his hand (Ezekiel 30:25).

Friday, February 21, 2020

More and more, young Muslims are becoming dissatisfied and disillusioned with their religion. They feel confused and frustrated because they lack a sense of fulfillment and they have no assurance of eternity. As they rebel against the rigid Islamic belief system, many of them, whenever they get a chance, exit through any crack they can find! But the question is, “Exit to where or to what?”

The Church of Jesus Christ needs to do everything in her power to welcome them to the foot of the cross of our Savior.

Prayer

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty (1 Chronicles 29:11). I fall to my knees and pray to you, my Father, to worship and adore you.

I pray that from your generous, unlimited resources you will empower your Church to open her arms to Muslims. Give her love, wisdom, power and strategy to bring them to you.

Lord Christ, King of kings and Master of all, make your home in Muslims’ hearts as they trust in you. May their roots grow deep into God’s love. Give them the power to sense and experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully (Ephesians 3:14-19).

May none of those who are disillusioned with Islam be lost to heresies, atheism or immorality! Bring them into your Kingdom, I pray.

Blessed be your majesty in heaven, O God (Ezekiel 3:12).

In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Promise

The Lord… gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free… the Lord opens the eyes of the blind… the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down…. The Lord sustains the fatherless and the widow… (Psalm 146:6-9, SAB).

Friday, February 14, 2020

As the new year starts, we turn our attention to spending time in the secret place of the Most High. When we are still in God’s presence, he speaks to us, guides us, and fills us with his peace and joy. The noise that surrounds us often hinders our hearing from God. We need to put aside that turmoil and noise—television, radio, music, chatter, or simple busyness—to listen to him.

Elijah the prophet was able to hear the Almighty speak to him, not in the powerful windstorm, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but only in God’s gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12).

Quietness, the attitude of a learner, shows that we know we are needy and that we are ready to hear and follow.

Prayer

Most Holy God, I come into your presence because of what your Son, my Lord, did for me on the cross. He opened the way for a sinner such as I to enter into the secret chambers of Almighty God. Thank you. Teach me to sit still and hear your comforting, assuring, and guiding voice. Be the focus of my attention and the center of my hopes and ambitions.

As Mary understood when she sat at Jesus’ feet, help me realize that only one thing is necessary. And may I choose that one thing, knowing it is best and shall not be taken away from me (Luke 10:42).

In the midst of my daily chores and responsibilities, give me grace to be in continual communication with you, my Master and my King. I want to praise and adore you, speak life and blessing to those whom I encounter, and witness about your glory and love.

Father, I ask all this because of the merits of your righteous, holy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Promise

Wait quietly for the LORD, be patient till he comes; do not envy those who gain their ends or be vexed at their success (Psalm 37:7, REB).

Friday, February 7, 2020

When there was a shortage of male leaders in Israel, God raised up Deborah! She was a prophetess and judge. The Lord prompted her to call Barak to lead Israel’s army to break off the yoke of their oppressors; but Barak was hesitant and refused to go unless Deborah went with him. So she herself took charge. She went into battle; and that day God gave Israel a decisive and historic victory over their enemies (Judges 4; and read the Song of Deborah in Judges 5).^[1]

Prayer

Lord God, our Maker, thank you for always reminding us that you made us male and female. What brilliance! We are indeed privileged to be your creatures.

Thank you for using Deborah. What a blessing she must have been to her husband and family.

You put your Spirit upon her and made her a mighty leader. You blessed her and used her to inspire the general of Israel’s armies with courage!

O Lord, we need women like Deborah for the Muslim world: spiritual leaders (4:4, 6, 7, 14); civil and political leaders (4:4; 5:14-15); wives (4:4) and mothers (5:7) full of courage and resolve (4:9; 5:7); and women of the Word (5:1-31). Instead of the false notion that women are second-rate creatures made solely for man’s pleasure and for producing babies, you, O Lord, made them to be your instruments of blessing, nurture, stability and strength for the family and society.

Yes, Lord, we pray that through women like Deborah, you will cause the earth to tremble, the mountains to shake and the heavens to pour down blessings upon Muslim peoples and nations (5:4-5). In Jesus’ name.

Promise

“Lord, those who love you are like the sun rising in strength” (Judges 5:31, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] All the references on this page are from the book of Judges.