Friday, December 28, 2018

We have come to the end of the year. How have we used the fleeting time? What does the coming year hold for us? How will it unfold? Some of us will reach the end of our pilgrimage on earth and be called home. Others, however, will continue to have duties and responsibilities ahead of them.

Whether we finish our journey sooner or later, we need God’s grace to do well and end our pilgrimage worshipping at the throne of Christ.

Prayer

Glory and honor be to you, Almighty God, my loving Father! Blessed be your holy name. You have called me to follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior. What joy! What grace and mercy! What a privilege to finish this year as a child of the King, a servant of Christ—at peace with God, with people and with my conscience! You have carried me in your arms all along the way! Thank you.

When I finish my earthly pilgrimage, when the time comes for me to sign off and go to my eternal rest, I have one more request: Please, Lord, bring millions of people who still do not know you into your Kingdom. Through the power of the cross, free those oppressed by sin (Luke 4:18), rescue those who are perishing, and bring home the ones who are lost and wandering (Proverbs 24:11; Psalm 82:4). Open their spiritual eyes to see Jesus in his love and compassion. Help them put their trust in Christ, the Lord.

Equip your Church and give her the power to see the fulfillment of your plan of salvation for all people, including Muslims.

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13, NIV).

Amen.

Promise

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with your likeness when I awake. … God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Psalm 17:15; Revelation 7:17, SAB).

Friday, December 21, 2018

One of the major cornerstones of biblical Christianity is the doctrine of the incarnation, that is, God became man. This is the miracle of miracles, the most majestic of all events! Yet Muslims absolutely reject it. They totally oppose the doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ.

When Christians declare that Christ is God, Muslims misunderstand it to mean that Christians worship more than one God. To them, Jesus was only human and was a prophet like all other prophets.

Further, when followers of Christ say that Jesus is the Son of God, Muslims misunderstand that to mean that God, like humans, had relations with a woman and that Jesus is their son!

Prayer

Amazing love! How can it be, that the majestic God, Maker of heavens and earth and King of all the universe, should come in the form of a man, a servant, to be “Immanuel—God with us” to redeem us!

Father in heaven, grant Muslims a special measure of your grace to accept the wonderful truth that Jesus Christ is God become man. Help them realize that this does not degrade or humiliate you; rather, this is the pinnacle of majesty. It is ultimate love and compassion. It is utmost sacrifice.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Lord of all, you are rich, but you became poor for our sake. May this truth shine forth into the souls of many Muslims this week. May they embrace you in their hearts with joy and gladness. May the Child who was born in a manger, the Lion of Judah, be crowned King and Master over the House of Islam! In his precious name I pray. Amen.

Promise

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth…. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 1:14; 3:16, NIV).

Friday, December 14, 2018

When Muslims say, “In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate,” all Muslims and many Christians do not know that this is taken from the Bible. This phrase demonstrates the early influence of Judaism and Christianity on Muhammad. Here are some occurrences of this combination in the Bible: compassionate and gracious (Exodus 34:6, NIV); compassionate and merciful (Psalm 86:15, GW; 103:8, NLT; James 5:11, GW); merciful and tender (Luke 1:78, TEV). So, this is not an Islamic statement, and it would be a gross mistake for Bible-believing people to abandon it and relegate it to Muslims!

Prayer

Compassionate and merciful God, our Father in heaven, glory and majesty belong to you. You have shined your light into my heart through Jesus Christ my Lord. You have forgiven my sin. Thank you. I am very grateful. That is why I bring Muslims before you. For although they call you merciful and compassionate, they have never understood the depth of your great compassion and mercy manifested at the cross of Christ.

Grant them the desire to know Jesus and experience his redemptive power. Fill them with your Holy Spirit. Encourage them to be active in bringing others to your Kingdom.

Keep me true to my responsibility to pray for them without ceasing and trust you for miraculous acts among Muslims.

To you, Almighty God who stooped down in compassion to be our Father, be glory and majesty and honor and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Promise

“In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer (Isaiah 54:8, NIV).

Friday, December 7, 2018

After the death of Muhammad, the rulers of the Muslim nation were called califs. So, a caliphate is where a calif rules as a religious, political and military head of the Muslim nation. After many centuries of great expansion of Islam around the world, the caliphate was abolished in the early 20th century.

The recent rise in fundamentalist Islamic movements to reestablish the caliphate worldwide will prove to be very dangerous. The purpose of the caliphate is to force all people on earth to convert to Islam and apply the Islamic law universally!

We know that Islam does not offer a solution for sin and misery. So, Jesus is calling on his followers to share with Muslims the Good News of pardon and reconciliation through the cross. Christ is the only way to receive forgiveness, freedom, joy and eternal life.

Prayer

Lord God, you have given us the responsibility to pray and intercede on behalf of people who need Jesus. You have made us watchmen on the walls who will not be silent day or night (Isaiah 62:6-7). We call on you and bring to you Muslims from all walks of life.

I pray for those who use violence and killing to achieve their goals. In the mighty name of Jesus, I ask you to overthrow the spirit of hatred, violence and murder. Cleanse their minds from cruelty and bloodlust. Help them repent, mend their ways and live holy lives for Christ.

I pray for those who have become disillusioned with Islam because of the rampant bloodshed under the banner of religion. May they become serious seekers of the truth and accept Jesus who is “the Way and the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6).

Thwart the plans of the enemy against your Church. We know the gates of hell will not prevail against her (Matthew 16:18).

In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Promise

Your future will be great indeed (Job 8:7, SAB).

Friday, November 30, 2018

He was an average man. Yet, at a time of rampant sin, when wickedness had spread and everything people thought or imagined was evil (Genesis 6:5-6), Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:24). He lived a life that pleased his Maker and was commended for that (Hebrews 11:5). Further, his spiritual vision was clear. He was looking forward to the coming of the Lord with multitudes of his saints (Jude 1:14), although he lived many centuries before Jesus told us he would come again (Matthew 24:30-31).

So, one day he disappeared! He was taken from this life without experiencing death (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). Later he had the honor of being mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3: 37).

We need men and women today like Enoch. Do you walk with God?

Prayer

Lord God, we praise you that the door to your throne of grace is always open to us. As we pray this week, we ask you to bring from among Muslims many people who will choose to walk with you, Lord, and who will be commended as pleasing you through faith in Jesus Christ. Your Word tells us that without faith it is impossible to please you (Hebrews 11:6).

Grant us to see many Muslims come to the Kingdom. May they become the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and channels of blessing to their own people to draw them to the love of God.

All glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Promise

This includes you who were once far away from God…. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. … he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it (Colossians1:21-23, NLT).

Friday, November 23, 2018

During this season Muslims around the world celebrate Muhammad’s birthday. Muhammad was born in A.D. 570 in Mecca, in what is now Saudi Arabia, and died in A.D. 632. His tomb is in the city of Medina, north of Mecca.

At age 40, Muhammad reportedly started receiving messages from God. At first, Muhammad was persecuted by his own tribe. But as he gained followers and Islam became stronger, he fought wars to conquer people for his religion.

Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last and most important of all prophets sent from God, that he brought the final religion, Islam, and the final revelation from God to man, the Quran.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the Almighty One and the Ruler over the kings of the earth. You are enthroned above the angels and all the universe. I pray that you will manifest your glory to many Muslims this week. Show them your mighty power. Come to rescue them! Deliver them, O merciful Lord, from Satan’s tyranny. Help them pledge their loyalty and allegiance to you, the only true Savior. Make your face shine upon them. May they set their fervent affections on the One who died for their sins and rose to give them life. I pray in a special way for the Muslims I know—friends, neighbors, colleagues. In the name of Jesus, break the power of the enemy in their lives. Bring them from darkness into the light of the Gospel.

Fill many homes with the joy, singing and celebration of lives transformed by the power of the cross of Calvary. Keep believers faithful and true to you to the end.

Promise

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, NIV).

Friday, November 16, 2018

Europe and America are playing with fire as they dabble dangerously with Islam. In the United States, you cannot teach Christianity in public schools, but Islam is taught as a “culture.” In Europe, Islam is growing at an alarming pace.

This is not new! At the turn of the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte was very fascinated with Islam while he was in Egypt as a conqueror. One of his French generals converted to Islam, was circumcised and married a Muslim wife. At the turn of the 20th century, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany indicated that if he had not already had a religion, he would have certainly converted to Islam.

These are only a few examples. We could cite present-day instances of individuals in high places as well as common people who are charmed and somehow enthralled with Islam. The Bible says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons (1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Prayer

Lord God, you have been patient with the peoples of Europe and America. They are rich in material goods, but poor in spiritual matters. They are advanced in technology, but backward in things pertaining to God. Save them from the slippery path they have chosen by turning their back on Christ. Have mercy on them. Help them to repent.

By faith I claim many Muslims in the West for Christ. May they become tools in God’s hand to bring many nominal Christians in post-Christian Europe and America to the cross of Calvary. I pray for a great revival for your Church in the West.

O God, Supreme and Mighty Potentate, Master of heaven and earth, you can do such feats! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Promise

Go back to what you heard and believed at first…. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life (Revelation 3: 3, 5, NLT).

Friday, November 9, 2018

There are many teachings in Islam that believers in Christ can use as bridges to help Muslims enter the Kingdom of God. The Quran states that God created Adam and Eve, that he sent the flood but rescued Noah, that he spoke to Abraham, that he gave the Torah (Pentateuch) to Moses, that he sent Jesus who was born of a virgin.

All these narratives, common to both Muslims and Christians, can be used as bridges to bring Muslims closer to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not all the details of these stories in Islam fully agree with the biblical accounts, but they can work as starting points.

It is also worthwhile to establish friendships with Muslims as you seek to share the Good News of Christ with them. Friends trust each other, depend on each other and desire each other’s well-being. Building bridges of common narratives and friendship pays dividends.

Prayer

Great God in heaven, because of your mercy and grace we come into your presence. We bow down in awe and reverence before you, our Creator and Redeemer. We present our needs to you. Anoint me and my fellow prayer warriors with your Spirit of wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:1-2).

Muslims need to come to Jesus, know his person and work, and receive his grace. Help me declare the message of the cross with love, clarity and effectiveness. Give me courage to tell Muslims about the measureless love of God at Calvary. Touch their hearts with your grace. Fill their minds with your Word.

Open my eyes to see and understand your plans and purposes for Muslims. Help me follow the example of Jesus who went about teaching, preaching and healing (Matthew 9:35).

In his mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Promise

Foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him… these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer (Isaiah 56:6-7, NIV).

Friday, November 2, 2018

This Sunday is designated as a day of prayer for the persecuted Church worldwide. Christians are undergoing severe persecution in many parts of the world. It is estimated that during the 20th century, more Christians were martyred than in the prior 19 centuries combined! In Muslim countries, the followers of Christ are often mistreated, imprisoned and murdered.

The Islamic system does not allow freedom of religion. Religious, political and social authorities serve as guardians to protect that system. They have a long arm through the government and police, the mosque and sheikhs, work and family, friends and neighbors, and so forth. The Islamic system persecutes and disposes of people who leave Islam. Today untold numbers of our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering persecution.

Prayer

Sovereign God, just as Herod, Pilate and other leaders made plans against Jesus (Acts 4: 27), rulers and common people in today’s world are persecuting your children!

Brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution do not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (Revelation 12:11). I may not know them personally, but I intercede for them. You taught us to “bear one another’s burdens,” so I want to stand alongside them. They are members of the Body of Christ; when one member suffers, the rest of the body suffers.

O God Almighty, be with those who are enduring a nightmare of mistreatment, beatings and abuse. I bring their plight to your attention, merciful Father. Visit them. Soothe their pain. Comfort their souls. Encourage their hearts. May your face shine upon them.

In prayer I ask you to wake up the Church around the world to pray for persecuted believers and come to their assistance. May Christians who occupy influential positions act to alleviate the pain of our suffering brothers and sisters. Help them, Father, not to remain silent. Move them to respond to the tragedy of the persecuted Church.

Promise

Your healing will quickly appear… the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. …you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. …your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD… will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail (Isaiah 58:8-11, NIV).

Friday, October 26, 2018

The most important foundations for violence in Islam are found in the teachings of the Quran^[1] and the example of the life of Muhammad^[2].

Muhammad waged wars, used violence, carried off booty from conquered enemies, established a state and a government, used the sword, killed people, and promised gain to his followers.

The Jews in Medina^[3] were subjected to Muhammad’s fury and rage. They pleaded with him to allow them to leave Medina, but he refused. They surrendered to him without any resistance. He then ordered trenches to be dug in the marketplace in Medina. About 600-900 Jewish men were beheaded and dumped in the trenches. The women and children were sold as slaves. The story of the prophet’s life is replete with many such atrocious and infamous acts.

Prayer

Our Father, the only true God, we thank you for the chance to pray to you on behalf of Muslims. They are in dire need of Jesus. Some of us may find it difficult to ask you to help people who are wreaking havoc through acts of terrorism. But we remember that you are forgiving and compassionate, and you have taught us to be the same.

I pray that through the power of the blood of Jesus and his sacrificial love, you will bring Muslims to know you and live in fellowship with you. Help them repent. May they forget and put behind them Muhammad’s haunting legacy. Save them from going to eternity without Christ. Deal with them according to your grace and mercy, not as all of us fallen human beings deserve.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7). Amen.

Promise

By his blood, Christ redeemed us and forgave our sins. This is God’s abundant grace that he lavished on us (Ephesians 1:7-8, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] Quran 4:94; 48:22.
^[2] Quran 8:65; 47:4; 48:29.
^[3] The tribe of Quraiza.