Friday, December 25, 2020

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).

That Have Come to Christ

Friday, December 18, 2020

It is hard for us to understand the grave and sensitive position of a Muslim family that believes in Christ. One of the issues that face such families is raising their children in the midst of a Muslim society. For example, while most adults have the ability to say the right things at the right time, the same is not true for children. Imagine the dilemma of a Muslim convert who teaches his 3-year-old to sing a song about Jesus at home. When the toddler surprises his family by singing the same song in public, the offended Muslim listeners will demand an explanation. Once when our family was on a long train ride in a Muslim country, our 3 ½-year-old son surprised us by standing in his seat and preaching Christ at the top of his lungs to everyone who could hear him! That incident did not cost us our lives, since the little fellow was preaching in English and most people did not understand him.

Parents as well as children, whether toddlers or adolescents, encounter difficulties and face challenges in Islamic societies which expect everyone to be Muslim.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for bringing whole Muslim families to salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank you for giving them the power to follow you and the boldness to live for you. I pray that your protective hand will be upon them to lead and guide them into all truth.

Give them all, parents and children alike, wisdom, understanding and courage to stand for Christ and for righteous living.

Protect them, Father, from the works of the enemy. Guard them from letting their love for one another cool off. Protect them from divisions and from divorce.

O Lord, I pray that their family life will be a witness to others of what Jesus Christ can and will do when a family makes him their Lord.

For your glory I pray. Amen.

Promise

He lifts the needy out of affliction, and increases their families like flocks. The godly see it and are glad, but the wicked shut their mouths (Psalm 107:41-42, SAB).

Friday, December 11, 2020

The main purpose of ISIS and several other Islamist terrorist groups is to establish a worldwide state, a Muslim Caliphate that would be 100% Muslim. All citizens of the Islamic state would be required to give their allegiance to Muhammad, follow the precepts of the Quran, and be subject to the Sharia law in all details of life.

However, we the followers of Jesus see things differently. We believe that what ISIS and others are aiming at will not happen. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, reigns supreme as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Creator and Ruler of all the universe.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, our majestic and glorious God and Redeemer, we worship and praise you. You are the King over all the world and creation.

Thank you for the cross that has changed me and brought me to your throne to intercede and pray for those who do not know you as Lord and Savior. You love Muslims. You love even those who are involved in terrorist acts, those who believe that all people on earth should be converted to Islam, and those who are plotting to reach that goal. Lord God, you sent Jesus your Son to die for them all.

Reveal your love to them. Help them to yield their life to you and worship you. Manifest your eternal power in their changed heart. May they crown you their King and Lord. By faith, Almighty God, I declare that all people in the Muslim world will give their allegiance to Jesus and become part of the realm of the “Kingdom of light….the Kingdom of [your] dear Son” (Colossians 1:12-13).

We join every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, all creatures in the entire universe, in praising you, saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever” (Revelation 5:13, SAB). Amen.

Promise

Christ must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:25, SAB).

Friday, December 4, 2020

Pay day is coming for all of us! Yes, God in his grace has entrusted us believers with the responsibility of praying and interceding for the lost. And that is what we are doing by the power of his Holy Spirit. He also commanded us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19).

On pay day, may I be found faithful. May I have used the gifts, talents and abilities God has given me in the best way possible. It is my prayer that in heaven there will be multitudes around God’s throne, giving glory to the Lamb in songs and shouts of “hallelujah” because, along with other believers, I took my responsibility seriously to pray for people and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them.

Prayer

Almighty God, our loving Heavenly Father, you are worthy to receive praise and honor and glory. You have honored me by saving me from sin and bringing me into your Kingdom. Thank you. Then you have honored me again by asking me to be your representative to tell people about your love. I am blessed.

I pray that you will fill my mind with your light and my heart with your compassion and courage so I can minister to Muslims and lead them to the cross of Jesus. Let me go to the harvest field with faith and expectation. Let my whole being bubble up with gratitude to you and overflow with Good News for the lost. Let my mouth declare the Gospel to Muslims in love and with grace.

Give me some fruit this week, fruit that will last for eternity—people who will follow Christ.

On pay day, may I be found worthy of your trust in me.

For the sake of Jesus, amen.

Promise

Your reward will be very great (Genesis 15:1).

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21, NIV).

To Intercede for Muslims

Friday, November 27, 2020

God has kept us by his power for yet another new year so that we can fulfill our divine purpose of interceding for Muslims. Yes, he has placed his mantle of protection over us for a purpose. It is our prayer that we will fulfill that noble plan and honor his design for our life.

Prayer

God our Father, Fountain of all life, light, faith, and grace, in your presence there is peace, hope and joy. I approach your throne with gratitude and thanksgiving.

Help me know, desire and do your will. Help me surrender all to you that you may accomplish every good purpose in me. May I continue to be a part of your divine plan as I pray for Muslims that they will come to freedom and life in Christ. May I never become weary in serving you in this mission of prayer.

Make your face shine upon me (Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 67:1). Fill me with the Holy Spirit and power. Let your Word be the food I eat and the air I breathe. Sanctify me through and through. Keep my whole being—spirit, soul and body—blameless at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

May I fear no one except God and seek nothing other than your glory. You are my Rock, my Shield, my Stronghold, my Banner, my Healer, my Shepherd. Arm me with strength and train me for battle (Psalm 18:32, 34). Only you, my God, the God of peace, can “soon crush Satan under [my] feet” (Romans 16:20).

Glory and honor and praise to you, King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.

Promise

I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you… plans to give you hope and a future…. you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you (Jeremiah 29:11-12, NIV).

Friday, November 20, 2020

Belief in fate is one of the six articles of faith of Islam. The other five are: belief in one God, in the revealed books, in the prophets, in the Last Day, and in angels.

According to Islam, everything happens because “it is written”; that is, God predestined it to happen. Because of that, man has no control over his actions, future or destiny. The all-powerful, omnipotent God has determined all man’s actions in advance. So, he is the One who compels people to act the way they do (Quran 59:23). His will and power cannot be resisted.

Some Muslim theologians go further to say, “Verily Allah has fixed the very portion of adultery which a man will indulge in, and which he of necessity must commit.”^[1]

If that were true, what good would it do to pray? If God had already predetermined a certain course for people, our prayers would be pointless!

Prayer

Kind and compassionate Heavenly Father, I praise you because you are full of goodness and love. I bring Muslims to you in prayer. They hold to a belief in fate, which is depressing. They think they have no liberty because their acts are controlled by divine decree.

Reveal to Muslims your sacrificial love at the cross. Thank you for the benefits of the cross. Jesus Christ our Lord was slain, and with his blood he purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation (Revelation 5:9). Help Muslims to open their spiritual eyes to see you in your love and sacrifice for them. Open their hearts to receive the benefits of new life in Christ: salvation, joy, peace, victory, liberty, love, purity, goodness, and so on.

Father, I ask all this, not in my own power, but in the powerful name of Jesus your Son, my Lord. Amen.

Promise

Since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it…. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Hebrews 4:1, NIV; Philippians 3:14, NLT).

Footnotes

^[1]Sahih Muslim, Book 33, The Book of Destiny, “Kitab-ul-Qadr,” Number 6421.

Friday, November 13, 2020

The book of Psalms tells us that the City of God is a holy place, where the Most High dwells. It is the place of the Great King, the city of the Lord Almighty (Psalm 46:4; 48:1-3, 8). In his book entitled The City of God, Augustine of Hippo defines that term as the society where the Holy Scriptures rule over the laws of men, and God is the Supreme Sovereign. In light of this, we understand that the City of God is the community of the redeemed, the nation of Christ, the Church, all those who believe in God through Jesus Christ the Lord.

Our hope in Christ is that many people from Islamic backgrounds will soon choose to live for Jesus and become part of the City of God.

Prayer

Almighty God, our Father, you are in control of all peoples, of all events and of everything. All powers are under your authority. You are the God of the impossible.

I pray that you will chase away darkness and bring the light of Christ to the world of Islam. Turn their mourning into joy and their despair into hope (Isaiah 61:3). Turn death into life. Many millions are lost. Only you can bring them home into the sheepfold.

I pray that you will look at Muslims all over the world and see their bitter state away from the cross. In many places, there is no one to help these unevangelized multitudes; or at best, only a few Gospel workers are available to share Christ and his love with them. O compassionate Lord, we know it is not your purpose for them to perish in sin. Save them, I pray.

Help us, your Church, to give birth to many spiritual children among Muslims. Establish a powerful church all over the Muslim world.

And now, all glory to you, our God. You are able to keep us from stumbling and bring us into your glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. You alone are God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to you, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen (Jude 1:24-25).

Promise

Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world (Matthew 25:34, NLT).

Friday, November 6, 2020

Lilias Trotter was born in London in 1853 to a wealthy family. When she was young, God called her to go as a missionary to non-Christian lands. Because of poor health, however, she did not qualify to be a missionary with any sending agency. So, she decided to go as an independent evangelist, using her own funds. At age 34, she and two other women traveled to Algiers, the capital of Algeria. She recalls: “Three of us stood there, looking at our battlefield, none of us fit to pass a doctor [a doctor’s exam] for any [mission], not knowing a soul in the place, or a sentence of Arabic or a clue for beginning work on untouched ground; we only knew we had to come. Truly if God needed weakness, He had it!”^[1]

For more than 40 years she labored, sacrificed, learned Arabic, evangelized Muslims, started churches and became the head of a mission there. She was buried in Algiers.

Prayer

Lord Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, you are mighty in power, and your love is infinite. Thank you for the legacy of Lilias Trotter and many others like her whom you have called to go to Muslims with the message of redemption, love and joy. No sacrifice we make will match your sacrifice for us on the cross.

Lord, the harvest is white in Muslim lands, the crop is plentiful, the fruit is ripe, but the workers are few. We ask you, Lord of the harvest, to send out workers to gather in the fruit (Matthew 9:37-38).

Even if some people are considered unqualified, you can empower them with your Holy Spirit as you did with Lilias. Your grace is sufficient; it is all we need. Your power works best when we are weak. We pray that you will raise up men and women who will go to untouched ground, unevangelized fields, to bring in the sheaves.

We give you thanks, and we praise your glorious name, knowing that you hear our prayer. Amen.

Promise

The name of Jacob’s God will protect you. He will send you help from his sanctuary and support from his holy mountain. He will look with favor on all your offerings and will accept all your sacrifices (Psalm 20:1-3, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilias_Trotter

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).