Friday, October 30, 2020

Paul was an extraordinary missionary, but he also had a secular profession. He was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). He was ready to work with his own hands to support himself as well as others who worked in the ministry with him whenever it was needed (Acts 20:34; 1 Corinthians 4:12). He worked hard to make a living so he wouldn’t 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, like Paul, support themselves as they spread the Gospel. 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 work in their own 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).

To Operate in the Assemblies of Muslim Believers

Friday, October 23, 2020

At the cross, Jesus triumphed over Satan. Christ died to save us, then rose again and ascended to heaven. From there he sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to his Church (Acts 2). Through the Spirit, Jesus provides us with many gifts (Ephesians 4:8). These are part of the glorious blessings he equips us with to minister, to build up the Church, the body of Christ, so she can be strong and mature and reach the complete measure of spiritual life he intended for us (Ephesians 4:12-13).

We have faith in God that his Church among Muslims will be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city on a hill (Matthew 5:13-14). Whether it is a church meeting in secret or in public, whether the assembly has two or three believers or hundreds and thousands, we are asking God to equip it with the gifts of the Spirit. That is our prayer this week (read 1 Corinthians 12-14).

Prayer

Almighty God, draw Muslims to yourself; manifest in them your deep, sacrificial love and mighty power. Help me pray for them according to your will.

Your name is holy. You do great things; your mercy is from generation to generation toward those who fear you. You manifest the strength of your arm…. You fill the hungry with good things (Luke 1:49-53). I pray that you will put in the hearts of millions of Muslims a hunger and a thirst to seek you, to open their souls to Christ the Lord, and to receive the treasures you have for them. Fill them with your Holy Spirit. Grant them powerful manifestations and workings of the Spirit.

May your great glory be manifested in churches filled with Muslims who have been set free from Islam through the power of Jesus.

Glory, splendor, majesty and power belong to you, dear Father. I ask all this, not in my own authority; I have none. Rather, I come before you in the authority of Jesus, your Son, who gives me access to your throne through the cross. Amen.

Promise

To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV).

Friday, October 16, 2020

Obadiah’s name means “worshipper of the Lord God.” He was in charge of the king’s palace, possibly equivalent to a chief of staff today. Those were ominous times. The nation had gone away from God. The king and queen promoted the worship of false gods. The king “did more to provoke the anger of the Lord… than all the kings of Israel before him” (1 Kings 16:33).

In spite of all that, Obadiah did not allow his high position in the king’s palace to corrupt him. Harsh circumstances did not weaken his resolve or hinder his service to God. When the queen persecuted and killed God’s prophets, Obadiah took 100 of them, hid them, and supplied them with food and water (1 Kings 18:3-4). During all that time, he remained very humble (1 Kings 18:7).

Prayer

Father in heaven, blessed be your glorious name. You alone are our God and Master. Worship is due to you alone.

We bring to you the vast world of Islam. What a responsibility you have given us! What honor! We bow down before your majesty to intercede for Muslims. Only you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, can bring them by the millions to your Kingdom. We pray there will be many believers from Muslim backgrounds as devoted to you as Obadiah was.

Lord, let them experience the power of lives transformed by the cross of Christ. During times of persecution and testing, may they have boldness to serve the community of the faithful. Give them courage and resolve to remain true and loyal to Jesus and practice their faith at great risk to their status and even to their life.

In the precious name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Promise

He is not afraid of bad news. His heart remains secure, full of confidence in the Lord (Psalm 112:7, GW).

Friday, October 9, 2020

Muslims insist that to say Jesus is God’s Son is a blasphemy, because God does not marry or produce children.

Yet, that is not what we believe, nor is it what the Bible teaches.

Jesus Christ is God’s Son. That means he is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of God’s being (Hebrews 1:3). He is the image of the invisible God…. all God’s fullness dwells in him (Colossians 1:15, 19). He is equal to God (John 5:17-18). The Father committed everything to him (Matthew 11:27).

If God chooses to come down to earth as a man to redeem us from sin, who am I, a mere limited creature, to question the Creator or object to what he does?

Prayer

Son of God, Almighty Savior, you are before all things and in you all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). You sustain the universe by your powerful word. Angels worship you, because you are God (Hebrews 1:3, 6). Thank you for accepting me and bringing me to your Kingdom.

Have mercy on Muslims, Lord. Help them accept your wisdom and yield to your ways. May they acknowledge you, as King, Messiah, chosen and anointed Savior and Lord.

Grant that in the lives of many Muslims this week you will be declared with power to be the Son of God by your resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4).

Bring Muslims to the cross and transform their lives by your Holy Spirit to be children of the King of kings.

In your mighty name I pray. Amen.

Promise

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him (John 3:36, NIV).

Friday, October 2, 2020

Francis was born in Italy in 1180 to a rich family. His father was a cloth merchant. In his youth Francis lived in luxury and dissipation. But captivity in war and illness caused the young man to realize that life was empty and fleeting. So, he decided to heed what Jesus said to the rich man, “Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Luke 18:22, NLT).

Francis consequently donned a poor man’s clothing. He founded three orders of friars, and later traveled to the Holy Land, where he witnessed and preached with great courage to the Muslim ruler Sultan al-Kamil.

Prayer

Holy, holy, holy are you Lord God Almighty, the One who always was, and who is, and who is still to come! (Revelation 4:8). Thank you for the life and legacy of this great man. I ask you to give me the grace and sensitivity to hear your voice speaking to me. I pray for courage to obey and follow your direction.

When Francis heeded your Word, he abandoned earthly comfort and gave himself totally to your service. Help me, Lord, to honor you above all worldly attachments.

When Francis witnessed the bloodshed of the Crusades, he realized that Muslims can be won to Christ only by the power of the Word of God. Help me too, O Lord, to understand the power and importance of your Word and use it to win Muslims to Christ.

As I close this supplication, I draw on one of Francis’s prayers:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy. Amen.

Promise

When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you safely out of Egypt, is with you! (Deuteronomy 20:1, NLT).