Friday, May 29, 2020

Before Jesus ascended to the Father, he promised to send the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Guide and empower us to witness for him. That promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. This weekend we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday to commemorate the gift of God’s Spirit to the Church. Only the power of the Holy Spirit can draw people to Christ and enable believers to achieve great things in everyday life, in evangelism, and in missions.

Over the centuries, the Holy Spirit has revealed Christ to many Muslims in different parts of the world through miracles, visions, and dreams. The great influx of Muslims coming to Christ in Indonesia in the 1960s and 1970s, and presently in some parts of Africa, can be attributed mainly to the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

O God the Holy Spirit, come upon Muslim converts to Christ, and fill them with your power and presence. Fulfill to them Jesus’ promise of Pentecost. Holy Spirit, sanctify them, guide them to the truth, and help them lead a victorious Christian life. The environment around them is very hostile to the Gospel, and they need the fullness of the Spirit to persevere in their commitment to you.

Help them pray for others and intercede for the lost world. Inspire them with zeal and power to witness for Christ, spread the Gospel throughout the whole earth, and demonstrate God’s majesty through signs and wonders.

I pray that the time will come when “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord’s glory as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).

In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Promise

I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions (Joel 2:28, NLT).

Friday, May 22, 2020

Muslims end the month-long Ramadan fast with a celebration known as Id al-Fitr, a national holiday in Muslim countries. There are parties and festivities. No more rigorous abstention from food and drink. The mood changes from somber to joyful. Family members get together. People give alms to the poor.

Yet, it is not uncommon at this time of jubilation and glee for people to feel empty and unfulfilled.

Prayer

Blessed be your majesty in heaven, O God (Ezekiel 3:12). You are the True God, the only God to be worshipped and adored. You are the source of true joy and comfort; you are our hope.

I pray for these dear friends; may they allow you to transform their lives. Although they have broken the fast and are now celebrating and feasting, what they really need is Jesus, the Bread of Life. Open their hearts to receive the message of Christ. Give them a hunger and a thirst for the Word of God. Put in them the desire to know Jesus and follow him.

You promised to spread a banquet, a feast of rich food for all peoples (Isaiah 25:6). Lord, Muslims are very needy; they are hungry for you, even if they do not realize it. I pray that the love of Christ will touch their hearts. May they realize the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary. May many of them, even today, commit their lives to you, our Lord and Savior, and find true peace, joy and rest in you. Amen.

Promise

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38, NIV).

Friday, May 15, 2020

A young girl from Israel was seized and taken as a prisoner of war by an invading army. She became a servant who worked for the wife of the commander of that army. While surrounded by her captors, she saw a tremendous opportunity to be a missionary. One day she told her mistress about a prophet in Israel who could heal her master, Naaman, of leprosy. When her master heard the message, he went to Israel and was healed by the power of the Almighty God. He then returned to his home, a believer in the God of Israel (read 2 Kings 5:1-19).

In some churches, members of the congregation think their role in the Kingdom is to pray, pay and obey. If a believer’s responsibility stops there, that is unbiblical. People who sit in the pews on Sunday should be evangelists, missionaries, and pastors on Monday. You too can be a soulwinner. We encourage you to pray for Muslims, but we also encourage you to witness to Muslims and lead them to Christ.

Prayer

Savior of the world, give me a passion for the wayward, a desire to rescue those who are on their way to eternal death (Proverbs 24:11-12). Give me a love like Jesus had, he who sought out sinners in order to set them free. Help me to experience the sorrow and anguish Paul felt for the lost (Romans 9:3-4).

“Give me the energy and the courage to share the spirit of the apostles, that like them I may truly be an ambassador of your grace.”^[1]

Help me win souls for you and disciple them into maturity. I do not feel adequate to do that in my own abilities, but I trust you to do it through me by the power of your Holy Spirit.

I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Promise

Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say (Exodus 4:11-12, NIV).

Footnotes

^[1] Hilary of Poitiers, 315-368 A.D.

Friday, May 8, 2020

The Minister of Finance in the government of Queen Candace of Ethiopia believed in God, the Almighty who had revealed his Word to the prophets.

The minister went to Jerusalem to fulfill religious duties prescribed by his conscience and his limited understanding of God’s Word. As he was returning home, the Lord sent Philip to instruct him and bring his faith to maturity through trusting and believing in Jesus Christ (read Acts 8:26-40).

Many people in the Muslim world are very thirsty spiritually. They go on pilgrimages and fulfill religious duties, trying to please God. Let us pray that the Lord will send them light and revelation, that he will bring them to the Kingdom of Christ, transform them to be his children, and fill them with peace and joy.

Prayer

Lord God, you came down on Mount Sinai to speak to Moses and give him your laws (Exodus 19). You spoke to Elijah on Mount Horeb and gave him courage and guidance (1 Kings 19:8-18). I pray that you will speak from Mount Calvary to Muslims today and grant them the knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ!

Help me be a “Philip” for a Muslim seeker this week. Use me as I am, limited in my understanding of Islam and Muslims, and flawed and weak. By the power of your Holy Spirit, help me say words that come directly from you, and speak through me to answer their questions. Manifest your power in my weakness. Keep me from being argumentative. Fill my heart with love and compassion, my mouth with words of grace, and my soul with courage.

As the Ethiopian minister accepted your Word, may many Muslims open their hearts to your love and forgiveness and accept Jesus as their only Lord and Savior. May they, like the government official, believe the Good News of Jesus Christ.

May they, too, “go on their way rejoicing.” In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Promise

When you seek me, you will find me; if you search wholeheartedly, I shall let you find me (Jeremiah 29:13-14, REB).