Friday, April 28, 2023

Vibia Perpetua was a 22-year-old beautiful young wife with a baby. She lived in Carthage, in what is now Tunisia, North Africa. Her father and her family were esteemed in the community. She was also well-educated.

During a time when Roman authorities severely persecuted Christians, Perpetua committed her life to Christ and became a very strong believer. Because of that, she was arrested and thrown into prison where, along with others, she was sentenced to death. Her father and other people pleaded with her to recant, but she absolutely refused.

On March 7, 203 C.E. Perpetua was thrown to wild beasts in the city’s amphitheater. While the excited spectators watched and shouted, wild animals attacked and gored her and tore her dress. Finally, a gladiator thrust his sword into her; and she entered heaven, praising and worshipping God. Her last words were an encouragement to the other believers to stand firm in their faith, to never to give in, and to never let suffering separate them from Christ.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the legacy and memory of Perpetua, this young, courageous saint. I ask you to engrave in our hearts eternal lessons from her life.

O merciful Father, remember our brothers and sisters held by Muslim authorities today because they have put their faith in Christ and refuse to recant or deny him. Give these modern-day saints endurance and boldness as you gave Perpetua. Help them manifest the love and power of Christ during their captivity and declare the Gospel to their captors.

Comfort them, I pray. Soothe their pain. Be with them when they are tortured. May they sense your arms around them when they feel alone and abandoned. Sharpen their minds and memory with verses from your Word that will calm them and alleviate the pain of their souls.

By your Holy Spirit grant them grace to forgive their tormentors. Surprise them with the joy of seeing converts to Christ from among fellow prisoners and prison officials.

Promise

The one who remains steadfast till the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22, SAB).

Friday, April 21, 2023

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 are breaking the fast at this time and 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, April 14, 2023

The 27th day of the month of Ramadan in the Muslim calendar is called the “Night of Power.” It commemorates the night Muhammad reportedly received the first revelation of the Quran from the angel Jibril. On this particular night, as Muslims celebrate this event, they feel very expectant. Many take time to recite the Quran and do special prayers. They believe that this night is better than 1000 months of worship. Some report seeing visions and dreams during this time.

In a few days, Muslims will break their month-long fast of Ramadan.

Prayer

O Source of all blessing, mercy and grace, our Father in heaven, we adore and praise you. In Moses’ time, you spoke from heaven and gave your people fair rules and commands and good instructions and teachings (Nehemiah 9:13). And you continued to send them prophets to help and guide them.

Your Word tells us that finally in these last days you have spoken to us through Jesus Christ, your Son (Hebrews 1:2). He is the One who died on Calvary to forgive our sin, make us your children, and open up the way for us to come into your holy presence. Without the cross, we would have no other means to approach you. Thank you.

My Father, I ask you to reveal Christ to my Muslim friends. Visit them in the power of your Holy Spirit. Convict them for their sin of rejecting your Son and putting their faith in someone else. May they realize that Jesus’ claims are true, that he is Lord, Savior and Son of God. May they accept him in their lives and submit to him.

O Lord Jesus, manifest your glory to Muslims at this time when they are expecting dreams and visions. Come to them in a supernatural way and speak to their hearts. Meet their needs and calm their fears. Reveal to them your mighty power, your compassionate love, and your forgiving grace. Change their lives. Give them hope, and fill them with your Spirit. Amen.

Promise

When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13, NIV).

Friday, April 7, 2023

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.

Help Muslims understand that the day Jesus died on the cross was not a gloomy, depressive day. It is a day of victory over sin, Satan and death. It is a day of celebration and joy.

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).