Friday, March 26, 2021

An imam is a Muslim religious leader. He leads prayer in the mosque and performs other religious duties. An imam is also a community leader who gives counsel and direction to his people.

Jewish priests were among those who staunchly opposed Jesus and antagonized him. Would you expect that a large number of them would become believers in Jesus? Yet, according to the New Testament account, that is exactly what happened (Acts 6:7).

Let us believe together that through the mighty power of the Spirit of God, tens of thousands of Muslim imams will put their faith in Jesus Christ the Lord.

Prayer

Almighty God, my Heavenly Father, I come before you boldly, because of the Lamb who died on the cross for me. I am forgiven because he shed his blood on my behalf. I bring to you the hundreds of thousands of imams around the world. They need you, Lord Jesus. Only you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can penetrate their hearts and bring them into your Kingdom.

Reveal Jesus the Lord to them, in his love, compassion and power. Help them realize he is the Master, the Lord, and the Redeemer of all.

I thank you for the imams who have already placed their faith in Christ the Lord. Help them grow continually in the love of God and the knowledge of Christ. Give them wisdom by your Spirit. Protect them and their families. Illumine their hearts and minds to know how to lead their congregations into the light of Christ. Teach them your Word. Help them depend on you.

Promise

Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you (Jeremiah 1:18-19, NIV).

Friday, March 19, 2021

After twenty-five years of hard work, the Sharif Bible has been published in Arabic for Muslims. For the first time in history, the Bible has been translated specifically for Arab Muslims. It speaks to them meaningfully and naturally. It is a stirring, vibrant translation that offers the Holy Scriptures in a way that causes Muslims to feel at ease with its words, names, expressions, style, and format. They acknowledge that what they read is written for them.

At the same time, the Sharif Bible translates literally such expressions as “Son of God” (for Jesus), “God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and God is our “Heavenly Father.”

The response from Muslims has been overwhelming. Also, Christian cross-cultural workers from various organizations and groups are reporting enthusiastic reception of the Sharif Bible.

Prayer

Almighty God, I thank you for the Bible, your written revelation to humankind—so simple and clear. And thank you for the Sharif Bible translation that presents your Word to Muslims in the same way—simply and clearly. I pray that many Muslims around the Arab world will receive it with joy and open hearts. Break down the barriers the enemy has raised to keep it from reaching Muslims. Change the hearts and attitudes of those who seek to ban your powerful Word.

I pray that you will open doors for large distributions of the Sharif Bible in every city, town and village in North Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf. You are able to provide funds for such a big dream.

May people who receive the Sharif Bible read it and be transformed, comforted and built up in their faith. Bring a great harvest of believers from Muslim backgrounds into the Kingdom.

I pray that the Sharif Bible, with its easy to understand language and down-to-earth vocabulary, will shape the Arabic language for generations. May it bring life, joy, peace, and love to individuals, communities, and nations.

For your glory, I pray in Jesus’ name and by your Spirit. Amen.

Promise

When I came on your words I devoured them; they were joy and happiness to me (Jeremiah 15:16, REB).

Friday, March 12, 2021

Ignatius was born in Syria when it was a Roman province. As a young man, he put his faith in Christ and eventually became Bishop of Antioch. He and his friend Polycarp were disciples of the Apostle John, which means he was a Church leader in the generation right after the Apostles. Because of his faith in Christ, he was sentenced by the Roman authorities to die. On his way to Rome to be executed, he wrote a letter to the Roman church asking them not to try to rescue him from death. He said he was ready to give his life for the sake of the One who had died for him. He also told the believers there that the fierce wild beasts waiting for him were a blessing!

To close his letter, he said he knew what was good for him because, “finally I have started becoming a disciple to my Master…. It is better for me to die than to own kingdoms of this earth.”^[1]

In Rome, they threw him to those wild beasts, and he was martyred.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you experienced persecution (John 5:16; 15:20). When you suffered, you left us an example, that we should follow in your steps (1 Peter 2:21).

Let Muslims who have come to Christ know that the troubles we encounter here are small and momentary. Yet, they achieve for us a glory beyond any comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17).

I pray for my Muslim friends who have decided to follow you. As you filled Ignatius of Antioch with faith and courage, give converts the determination to live and die for you. Help them realize that there is nothing too dear to sacrifice for you, you who gave your life to save us.

In your precious name. Amen.

Promise

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10, NIV).

Footnotes

^[1] https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0107.htm

Friday, March 5, 2021

Abraham has a special place in the Muslim religion. Muslims consider him a prophet and think that he and his son Ishmael are the ones who built the Kaaba in Mecca. This is the holiest place in all of the Muslim world.

Muslims depend on their good deeds to please God. So, in Islam, prayer, fasting, giving alms, and the like help one to have a good standing with God. Yet, that is not how Abraham pleased the Lord. The Bible says, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith” (Romans 4:3, NLT).

Prayer

Eternal God, our Father in heaven, how majestic and compassionate you are! Your Word tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). You know that we fallen humans are incapable of doing works good enough to please you. That is why we pray for Muslims, that you will open their hearts and minds to grasp this truth. Help them come to you empty-handed, and know that only by faith can they throw themselves at the foot of the cross to receive mercy and find grace to help them (Hebrews 4:16).

May they open their inner being and put their faith in the all-powerful and far-reaching sacrifice of Christ our Redeemer. Let Abraham’s life motivate them to have faith like his:

• The kind of faith that made Abraham believe God is able to raise the dead back to life. That is why he was ready to sacrifice his son in obedience to God (Hebrews 11:17-19).
• Confident faith that caused Abraham to send his servant to another country to get a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham believed that God would send his angel to find that wife (Genesis 24:7).

In Christ’s precious name I pray. Amen.

Promise

The one who does not depend on his works, but believes in God who acquits the guilty, this faith is what God considers as righteousness (Romans 4:5, SAB).