Friday, August 27, 2021

One afternoon, Mouldi came to my house so excited! On the bus he had met a local girl who had a cross on her necklace! She was supposed to be Muslim, but she was wearing a cross in public in a Muslim capital! Mouldi and the girl talked and confided to each other about their personal conversion. It turned out that she was a member of a cult that does not believe in Jesus as Lord or Son of God or Savior. They believe that Jesus is only a prophet.

There are many sects and groups that wrongly call themselves Christian. They are active in the Muslim world and are ready to prey on those who have come to Christ in a genuine experience of being born again by God’s Spirit. Some new believers, who fail to recognize that the

sects are not true followers of Christ, can be easily led astray.

Jesus warned his disciples about such counterfeits. He called them wolves masquerading as sheep! (Matthew 7:15). This is one more trick of our enemy. He tries to destroy and kill.

Prayer

Lord Christ, you are the visible image of the invisible God. You existed before any creation, and you are supreme Master over all. I pray for the little sheep that have been rescued from Islam. Some of them face fierce, merciless wolves. Bare your arm, O great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20). Defend these weak lambs against the enemy. Shield them and protect them. Break the power of the wolves and defeat them.

We claim what your Word tells us, that you are the Shepherd and Protector of our souls (1 Peter 2:25, NCV). So, protect these brothers and sisters from poisonous doctrines. Guard them from error and from heresies. May you alone be their true Master, Lord and King.

Promise

I know that when I am gone, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock… I entrust you to God and the word of his grace… that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself (Acts 20:29, 32, REB, NLT).

Friday, August 20, 2021

Islamic banks do business according to the guidelines of Islamic law (Sharia). That law does not allow for interest of any kind on loans. Further, investments are to be made only in goods considered permissible by Islam (halal). For example, they do not invest in alcohol or pork products or gambling.

Islamic banks have the same goal as all other banks: they want to make a profit. So, how do they do that? They change words used in the financial industry in order to avoid their religious prohibitions! Accordingly, instead of lending money and collecting interest on it, they “rent” the money and collect “rent” on it! Instead of collecting interest for credit card purchases, they collect “penalties” for not paying the full balance immediately!

When you plan to buy a home, you need a mortgage. If you go to an Islamic bank, the bank buys the house from the original owner and turns around and sells it to you at a profit. Then they let you pay the price in monthly installments!

Each Islamic bank has a board of Muslim scholars to make sure that transactions comply with the rules of religious law.

Prayer

O the depth of your riches and wisdom and knowledge, Lord God! How unsearchable are your judgments and how inscrutable your ways! (Romans 11:33).

You care for all peoples, tribes and nations. You know about the exponential growth of the Islamic financial industry around the world. You also know that fanatic fundamentalist beliefs initiated these banks, and that the incredible income from oil has nurtured and amplified their success.

I pray for the owners of these banks, for their employees and workers, for shareholders, investors and borrowers. Bless them by leading them to the knowledge of Christ the Lord and Redeemer of all humankind. May they confess Jesus as their Lord and King. Help them dedicate their lives and talents to the cause of the Gospel of grace and love.

I pray for the scholars on the Sharia boards of these banks. Bring them to Calvary to see Jesus who gave himself to save humans from sin. In his name I pray. Amen.

Promise

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones (Proverbs 3:7-8, NLT).

Friday, August 13, 2021

What does Islam mean? In Arabic, the word applies to a soldier who gives up. The verb means “to surrender.” Hence, Islam, as a religion, means surrendering to God; and a Muslim is someone who has surrendered his life to practice the religion of Islam.

Islam was started by Muhammad in AD 610 and is based on the Quran and the Hadith. The Quran is comprised of one volume that contains the revelations Muhammad reportedly received. The Hadith is comprised of several volumes that contain stories about Muhammad and what he did and said.

There are two major groups in Islam: Sunnis (roughly 90% of the followers), and Shias (roughly 10%). Add to that a large number of sects and sub-sects. All of them believe in Muhammad, all believe in the Quran. The differences are historical and political more than doctrinal.

Prayer

Father in heaven, from one man you created all the nations throughout the whole earth. You purposed that they would seek after you, in the hope that they might find you, though indeed you are not far from each one of us (Acts 17:26-27). And in spite of our waywardness, you love us all.

When I hear or read the word Islam, help me remember it is a system that appears so near, while it is actually so far from the Kingdom of God. It seems close to Christianity, but it is far from Christ!^[1] Whenever I see or hear of a Muslim, please help me see him as a precious soul for whom Jesus died, a person whom God loves and wants to bring to his Kingdom.

Help me be an intercessor who brings Muslims to your attention. Remember them in your mercy and grace. Help them repent and confess Christ as their only Lord and Savior.

Fill them with the Holy Spirit to be your witnesses to others.

Blessed are you, our only Sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords, immortal, invisible. To you be honor and power and glory and majesty. Amen.

Promise

“I will search for the lost, bring back those that strayed away, put bandages on those that were hurt, and make the weak strong….” “The Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost” (Ezekiel 34:16, NCV; Luke 19:10).

Footnotes

^[1] Samuel Zwemer, paraphrased.

Friday, August 6, 2021

Muslims use the Hijra calendar. The word Hijra refers to Muhammad’s escape from the Arabs in Mecca who were trying to kill him. Under cover he fled to Medina where the Jews welcomed him. The Hijra calendar counts years starting with that event. It follows the lunar system, so a year has only 354 days.

Muslims the world over use this calendar to date their religious celebrations and past historic events. It is an important community tie that binds them together.

During this time, the Muslim New Year begins.

Prayer

God of history, of past, present and future, I bring Muslims to you as they celebrate the beginning of their new year. During this time of rejoicing and festivities, show them, O God, that they can find everlasting joy in Christ the Lord.

While they are commemorating the escape of Muhammad from his enemies, bring to their attention the fact that Jesus Christ, who could have escaped from his enemies, refused to do so. He was determined to accomplish what he had come for: he went to the cross, where he suffered and died to redeem us.

Change the hearts of many Muslims this week, and transform them by the power of the Holy Spirit to become new creatures in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Promise

If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment (Job 36:11, NIV).