Friday, May 1, 2020

Many years ago, Kamil Aietany, a Lebanese Muslim, put his faith in Jesus. He ministered Christ to other Muslims with a clear mind and a powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Kamil’s father was very upset because of his son’s conversion. The family and other Muslim acquaintances made plans to end his life to get rid of the one who had betrayed Islam After a meal one day, Kamil became extremely ill and died within hours. The brothers who had led him to Christ suggested an autopsy, but their request was refused. They also wanted to bury him in a Christian cemetery, but his body was quickly removed, and Kamil was buried the same day he died in a Muslim cemetery.

It does not really matter where a Christian believer is buried. When Christ comes from heaven with a loud command, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet call of God, the dead in Christ will rise (1 Thessalonians 4:16). I believe that many Muslims who gave their lives to Christ and became his followers like Kamil will rise from Muslim cemeteries because they placed their faith in Jesus.

Prayer

Our Father, Maker, and Redeemer, we worship and adore you. I ask you to fill me with a passion for the lost as you did for Kamil. Help me bring Muslims to your Kingdom.

In the mighty name of Jesus, I ask you to break the fanatic spirit of Islam. Help many Muslims this week seek your face and receive freedom and forgiveness through Christ our Lord. May they place their faith and trust in you and give themselves totally to the Savior, no matter what it costs. Prepare them to answer their persecutors and abusers. Strengthen them as they experience the cruelty and brutality of the society and authorities. Be with those who will give their lives for your sake and for your glory.

When we meet Jesus in the clouds, what a surprise awaits us! We will see believers in Jesus come from Muslim graves in triumph, glory and splendor.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Promise

We believe that Jesus died and rose again; so too will God bring those who died as Christians to be with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14, REB).

Friday, April 24, 2020

During this season, Muslims start the month-long fast called Ramadan. The Muslim calendar is based on the lunar year, which has only 354 days. So each year the month-long fast comes about 11 days earlier than in the previous year.

Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day throughout this month. They abstain from food, drink, smoking, smelling nice aromas, and marital relations. Each day after sunset, they break the fast, usually with a feast. They are allowed to eat until dawn of the following day.

According to Islam, the Ramadan fast enables people to gain a right standing with God and an entry into paradise.

Some Muslims actually believe that during this month the devil is chained and cannot cause them harm, that the doors of heaven are open and the doors of hell are closed.

Prayer

O Lord Jesus, I pray with love and compassion in my heart for Muslims during this season of fasting.

You know, Lord, that most Muslims are sincere people. They are serious about their religion and beliefs. Help them realize that to approach you they have to go through Jesus and his sacrifice at Calvary. They cannot save themselves from sin by “pulling themselves up by their bootstraps”! They cannot lift themselves up to you by performing rituals and religious duties.

O God, help them discover that we are saved, not through works of righteousness, but only by faith through your undeserved favor.

I pray that you will reveal yourself to Muslims during this month as the Savior who has already accomplished all things. May they know that on the cross “it is finished.” Amen.

Promise

It is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life” (Galatians 3:11, NLT).

Friday, April 17, 2020

William was born to an affluent family in Chicago in 1887. When he graduated from high school, his graduation gift from the family was a year-long world tour. Upon his return from that trip, he announced he wanted to be a missionary to Muslims in northwest China. While he pursued his studies at Yale and later at Princeton, he ministered to others and prepared himself for missionary service.

When William finished his studies, he went to Cairo, Egypt to study Arabic. His plan was to continue his travels on to China. But in Cairo, he became sick with cerebral meningitis. Two weeks later, William Borden died! He was only 25 years old. His epitaph said, “Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation for such a life.”

Prayer

Almighty God, our Father in heaven, we thank you for the story and legacy of this young man. We owe our lives to you, O Lord. No sacrifice for you is too dear, because by your grace you have brought us from darkness to light.

I pray that you will raise up many thousands of young men and women like Borden to be on fire with divine zeal and passion to bring the lost to your Kingdom. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and power so they can speak your truth without fear and declare your holiness and righteousness.

May you burst forth from heaven to show your glory to Muslims (Isaiah 64:1). Manifest your mighty power by changing their lives. Revive their hearts and give them hope, joy and peace. May they boast in nothing other than the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).

In his precious name, amen.

Promise

I know the things you do, and though you have little strength, you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name. That is why I have opened a door for you that no one can close (Revelation 3:8, SAB).

Friday, April 10, 2020

Today we remember Jesus’ crucifixion, the only means by which we have eternal life. Islam rejects Jesus’ death on the cross. The Quran states that he was never crucified, that he never died, and that instead, God took him to heaven alive. 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 reject 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, transforms our lives from darkness to light, and rescues us from the kingdom of Satan to make us part of 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 that they will know 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 3, 2020

This coming Sunday, Western Christendom celebrates Palm Sunday. The events that took place on that day 20 centuries ago were astonishing; they shook the city and shocked the authorities.

It was not unusual to see an outsider riding into Jerusalem on a donkey to celebrate Passover. Yet, on this day, large crowds gathered around a particular rider to give him a royal welcome. Some threw their clothes on the road, while others spread tree branches as welcome mats! They shouted his praises joyfully. They called him Son of David. Yes, the rider was Jesus!

That is how Jesus was welcomed into Israel’s capital city on Palm Sunday. It is our prayer that many Muslim capitals will welcome him today.

Prayer

Hosanna to the Son of David! …Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Matthew 21:9; Luke 19: 38). Almighty God, I’m pleading with you for the countless cities, towns and communities teeming with Muslims; may they welcome Christ the King.

You alone are Almighty. You divided the Red Sea for the children of Israel, and they passed through on dry ground (Nehemiah 9:11). By your divine power you direct the hearts of kings as streams of water (Proverbs 21:1). Grant us freedom to preach the cross of Christ in Mecca, the city Muslims consider the holiest site on earth. May Jesus Christ reveal his glory there.

I am worshipping at your throne, Almighty God. I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that you are able to do far more than I could ever dream (2 Timothy 1:12). This is my hope and my confidence.

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

From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One” (Isaiah 24:16, NIV).