Friday, October 22, 2021

Many years ago, Kamil Aietany, a Lebanese Muslim, put his faith in Jesus. He ministered Christ to other Muslims with a clear mind and a powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Kamil’s father was very upset because of his son’s conversion. The family and other Muslim acquaintances made plans to end his life to get rid of the one who had betrayed Islam After a meal one day, Kamil became extremely ill and died within hours. The brothers who had led him to Christ suggested an autopsy, but their request was refused. They also wanted to bury him in a Christian cemetery, but his body was quickly removed, and Kamil was buried the same day he died in a Muslim cemetery.

It does not really matter where a Christian believer is buried. When Christ comes from heaven with a loud command, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet call of God, the dead in Christ will rise (1 Thessalonians 4:16). I believe that many Muslims who gave their lives to Christ and became his followers like Kamil will rise from Muslim cemeteries because they placed their faith in Jesus.

Prayer

Our Father, Maker, and Redeemer, we worship and adore you. I ask you to fill me with a passion for the lost as you did for Kamil. Help me bring Muslims to your Kingdom.

In the mighty name of Jesus, I ask you to break the fanatic spirit of Islam. Help many Muslims this week seek your face and receive freedom and forgiveness through Christ our Lord. May they place their faith and trust in you and give themselves totally to the Savior, no matter what it costs. Prepare them to answer their persecutors and abusers. Strengthen them as they experience the cruelty and brutality of the society and authorities. Be with those who will give their lives for your sake and for your glory.

When we meet Jesus in the clouds, what a surprise awaits us! We will see believers in Jesus come from Muslim graves in triumph, glory and splendor.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Promise

We believe that Jesus died and rose again; so too will God bring those who died as Christians to be with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14, REB).

Friday, October 15, 2021

As we trust God for feats that are humanly impossible, he honors our faith in him. The purpose of our prayer this week is to see Muslims by the tens of thousands come to the Kingdom of God, so they can be set free from sin and experience joy and life in Christ.

Over the past several centuries many churches in the Middle East, Turkey, and North Africa have been turned into mosques. Today in the West, Muslims have taken over vacant church buildings and turned them into Islamic centers and mosques.

We, however, as believers in Christ, are concerned about more than mere walls of stone. We do not seek to defeat Muslims or take over their properties; rather, we want to see the glory of the name of Jesus manifested through their lives transformed by the Gospel.

Prayer

Lord God, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below. You do not live in places built by human hands. Heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot contain you; how much less churches and mosques that humans build (1 Kings 8:23-27)! We pray that Christ will be proclaimed freely, publicly and powerfully in mosques and Islamic places of worship around the world. Our desire is not to take over these places. We are asking you to cause Muslims to come and worship you in the name of Jesus of their own accord and free will in the places they themselves have built.

I pray that people will be saved in mosques and set free from sin and the bondage of Satan. May divine healings and miraculous acts take place in the name of Jesus in those places of worship.

O Lord my God, attend to the prayer and the supplication of your servant; listen to the cry and prayer which your servant makes before you this day. May your eyes ever be on these buildings to turn them into places where the name that is above every name will be honored and worshipped (1 Kings 8:28-29).

Promise

God is able to accomplish far more than we might ask or imagine, according to his power at work in us. Glory be to him in the community of believers, and through Jesus Christ in all ages for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21, SAB).

Friday, October 8, 2021

Mormonism was conceived by Joseph Smith about 1200 years after Muhammad founded Islam. But there are startling similarities between the two religions.

Both claim they are based on revelation that an angel brought to a man. Both have a holy book that they believe is written on mysterious golden plates stored in heaven. Both have sacred stones. Both believe that biblical Christianity is corrupt, reject the doctrine of the Trinity, refuse the doctrine of original sin, and believe that one must do good deeds in order to receive forgiveness. In Islam, it is a crime to question matters of religion. In Mormonism, it is sin to do so. Both religions have a very brief confession of faith. The early Mormon practice of having many wives is a reminder of the multiple wives in Islam. Both Muhammad and Joseph Smith claimed to be the final prophet. In Islam, religious leaders are trained not to think for themselves or ponder issues that might deviate from the accepted norms of their religion. In Mormonism, the same is true. And the list of similarities goes on.^[1]

Prayer

You alone, O holy God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—deserve our worship. We in no way see ourselves as superior to these people. Without you, we would be as lost as they are. Yet, we come to you because your Word tells us they are separated from Jesus, the only Savior. In the confusing darkness of the night, they have taken the wrong road.

Have mercy on them and bring them to Christ Jesus. He alone is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only One who can give them hope and joy.

May they receive, through Christ the Lord, forgiveness of sin, a new relationship with you, Father, and assurance of eternal life. Remind them to refuse any gospel other than the one recorded in your holy Word, even if an angel from heaven were to preach it (Galatians 1:8).

Endow us with power, knowledge and courage to bring them to the cross of Calvary, by your Holy Spirit. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.

Promise

Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls (Jeremiah 6:16, NLT).

Footnotes

^[1] I have in my library a 3-volume, 1400 pages, copious comparison between Muhammad and Joseph Smith compiled by a friend.

Friday, October 1, 2021

Francis was born in Italy in 1180 to a rich family. His father was a cloth merchant. In his youth, Francis lived in luxury and dissipation. But captivity in war and illness caused the young man to realize that life was empty and fleeting. So, he decided to heed what Jesus said to the rich man, “Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Luke 18:22, NLT).

Francis consequently donned a poor man’s clothing. He founded three orders of friars, and later traveled to the Holy Land, where he witnessed and preached with great courage to the Muslim ruler Sultan al-Kamil.

Prayer

Holy, holy, holy are you Lord, God Almighty, the One who always was, and who is, and who is still to come! (Revelation 4:8). Thank you for the life and legacy of this great man. I ask you to give me the grace and sensitivity to hear your voice speaking to me. I pray for courage to obey and follow your direction.

When Francis heeded your Word, he abandoned earthly comfort and gave himself totally to your service. Help me, Lord, to honor you above all worldly attachments.

When Francis witnessed the bloodshed of the Crusades, he realized that Muslims can be won to Christ only by the power of the Word of God. Help me too, O Lord, to understand the power and importance of your Word and use it to win Muslims to Christ.

As I close this supplication, I draw on one of Francis’s prayers:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy. Amen.

Promise

When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you safely out of Egypt, is with you! (Deuteronomy 20:1, NLT).

Friday, September 24, 2021

Mary, her sister Martha, and her brother Lazarus were close friends with Jesus. When Lazarus died, Jesus raised him from the dead. The sisters would never forget that powerful, divine act. The New Testament shows us that Mary was a true disciple, able to sit quietly at Jesus’ feet, listening to his words. She was hungry to be in his presence and feed her soul on his teaching. Read the story in Luke 10:38-42.

Moses realized the importance of waiting before the Lord. When he blessed the tribes of Israel just before he died, he said, “Truly he [God] loves his people and blesses his holy ones. They sit at his feet and receive his instruction” (Deuteronomy 33:3, REB).

Prayer

Lord God, I ask you to raise from among Muslim believers in Christ those who know how to enter into your presence and sit at your feet. Raise up a generation of leaders who are full of the Spirit, who continually long for a touch from you, and who can wait patiently at your throne. Mary received a special revelation in her inner being that Jesus would die on the cross. That is why she anointed him with oil for his burial, even before he died (John 12:7). Just as Mary received that light, I pray for many Muslim believers in Jesus to receive heavenly revelations from you.

As I pray for others to receive from you, I pray for myself. Help me realize that it is not a badge of honor to be very busy from morning to evening. In the mighty name of Jesus, I ask you to teach me to be prayerfully still in order to listen to you attentively. May I abandon myself in your presence to hear a word from you. Thank you. Amen.

Promise

You have led me to the path of life. You fill me with joy in your presence; I am always in sheer delight when I am with you (Psalm 16:11, SAB).

Friday, September 17, 2021

Martha was a loyal follower of Jesus (Luke 10:40; John 11:21-22, 27). When Jesus was in the area where Martha lived, she decided to throw a party for him and his disciples. She wanted to honor him. As she got busy with the preparations, she felt overwhelmed with the many chores that had to be done. So she rushed to the living room where Jesus and others were gathered and expressed her concern and frustration. She even blamed Jesus for not telling her sister Mary to have the courtesy to help in the kitchen. Jesus pointed out to Martha that she was concerned and troubled about many things. He added that Mary, by sitting at his feet to hear his words, had made the right choice. Martha was busy serving Jesus a meal, and that was good. But she had become distracted and troubled in her ministry to Jesus, and that was a problem. Read the story in Luke 10:38-42.

Prayer

Almighty God, our loving Heavenly Father, I pray for your church in Muslim societies. Give her men and women like Martha with a keen sense of responsibility and a readiness to serve Jesus and honor him.

Protect her leaders and members from being plagued with restless thoughts, worry and other distractions. Teach them, your servants who have come to Jesus from Islam, not to let anxiety and concern rule over them in what they are doing.

I know, Lord, that you value our service to you. At the same time, you do not want us to get troubled and distracted because of the ministry or other responsibilities. Protect us all from anxiety and agitation in our work for you. O Lord, may we have Mary’s attitude and the ability to sit quietly in your presence, read your Word, pray and hear you speak to us. Amen.

Promise

Come to me… and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

Friday, September 10, 2021

Fatima al-Mutairi lived in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. Although she was raised in a Muslim family of influence and power, she was searching for meaning in life. She read the New Testament on the internet and gave her life to Christ. She started writing poetry to praise the Savior. When her brother found out, he beat her with intense cruelty, broke her bones, cut off her tongue, then dragged her outside the house and burned her alive. She was 26 years old.

Fatima’s story, with different details, is repeated multiple times each day. Every year, close to 100,000 people are martyred for being Christian.^[1]

No price is too high to pay for the sake of him who gave his life to redeem and save us.

Prayer

Most high and majestic God over all the earth (Psalm 83:18), may you be exalted and praised for ever and ever. We thank you for people like Fatima. Only you can give such courage and determination. It is your Holy Spirit who worked in Fatima’s heart to bring her to you and sustain her in the face of horrific and ghastly abuse.

I pray for my Muslim friends who have decided to follow Jesus. They know the price is very high. Threats to their lives are indeed a reality. Strengthen them. Visit them. Set their hearts on fire so they can remain loyal to you, obedient to your Word, and willing to sacrifice all for the sake of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I pray for all who are in authority in Muslim-majority countries. Change their hearts. Bring them to the cross. Change them into vessels of honor and righteousness. Help them bring many of their fellow citizens to your Kingdom.

All hail to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the One True God, amen.

Promise

The Lord is my light and my salvation. I will fear no one (Psalm 27:1).

(These were Fatima’s final words before she was brutally killed.)

Footnotes

^[1] Statistics of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.

Friday, September 3, 2021

God commissioned Jonah to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-2). Jonah did not like his assignment because the Ninevites were wicked. He knew that, later on, they would defeat and torture his own people, the children of Israel, in ways unheard of. As a prophet, Jonah saw those tragedies coming. He did not want the Ninevites to repent or to receive God’s mercy!

He thought he could escape from his duty. But after the Lord brought him back to his senses, he went to Nineveh and preached God’s message. The entire nation repented! Read the book of Jonah.

It is not easy to convince Christians to wish Muslims well and offer them the message of Christ’s grace. Yet, we trust God to change our hearts and give us courage to carry out his divine plan for the lost.

Prayer

You alone are God of all the peoples of the earth. You are our Maker and Redeemer. You have other sheep that are not in this flock (John 10:16). Your mercy is more universal than we sometimes think. Your love and compassion extend to Muslims also! You are interested in their well-being. You want the blind to see, the lost to be found and the dead to come back to life.

We pray for grace that we, the followers of Jesus your Son, will have kind hearts toward Muslims. They are lost because they are away from Christ, the only Savior.

We repent because we have failed you. Just as you were patient with Jonah and gave him a second chance to obey you, give us another chance, Lord God.

Help us go to Muslims with love, compassion and courage, empowered by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Promise

“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT).

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).