Friday, March 5, 2021

Abraham has a special place in the Muslim religion. Muslims consider him a prophet and think that he and his son Ishmael are the ones who built the Kaaba in Mecca. This is the holiest place in all of the Muslim world.

Muslims depend on their good deeds to please God. So, in Islam, prayer, fasting, giving alms, and the like help one to have a good standing with God. Yet, that is not how Abraham pleased the Lord. The Bible says, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith” (Romans 4:3, NLT).

Prayer

Eternal God, our Father in heaven, how majestic and compassionate you are! Your Word tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). You know that we fallen humans are incapable of doing works good enough to please you. That is why we pray for Muslims, that you will open their hearts and minds to grasp this truth. Help them come to you empty-handed, and know that only by faith can they throw themselves at the foot of the cross to receive mercy and find grace to help them (Hebrews 4:16).

May they open their inner being and put their faith in the all-powerful and far-reaching sacrifice of Christ our Redeemer. Let Abraham’s life motivate them to have faith like his:

• The kind of faith that made Abraham believe God is able to raise the dead back to life. That is why he was ready to sacrifice his son in obedience to God (Hebrews 11:17-19).
• Confident faith that caused Abraham to send his servant to another country to get a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham believed that God would send his angel to find that wife (Genesis 24:7).

In Christ’s precious name I pray. Amen.

Promise

The one who does not depend on his works, but believes in God who acquits the guilty, this faith is what God considers as righteousness (Romans 4:5, SAB).

Friday, February 26, 2021

“We have lost control; we have killed the epidemic physically and mentally. Can’t understand what more we can do; all solutions are exhausted on ground. Our only hope remains up in heaven; God rescue your people.”^[1]

Prayer

Heavenly Father, our world is in turmoil. The coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc on us. We come to you because you are loving and merciful. We pray for the sick, that you will heal them; for those who have lost loved ones, that you will comfort them; for those who are struggling financially, that you will give them relief.

Give wisdom to the doctors and scientists to find a cure and a vaccine. Yet, we know that only you can stop the spread of this disease with your mighty power. You are in control of history as well as the future.

May your Holy Spirit turn the chaos to victory for the sake of the name of Jesus our Lord. May many people run to you in faith and commitment. You are the true refuge, protector and defender. Give your children wisdom and courage to minister to others and love them.

Even though we might not understand everything about the divine purpose of this worldwide scourge, we rest assured in your love and care. You fill our hearts with hope and joy even when we are threatened by darkness and death. Thank you.

Christus Victor! Amen.

Promise

Even though I walk through the very dark valley, I will fear no harm, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, comfort me (Psalm 23:4, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] As of this printing there is confusion on the internet about who made this statement, whether Italy’s Prime Minister or Brazil’s President.

Friday, February 19, 2021

Mephibosheth, a prince in Israel, was lame in both legs from childhood. When King Saul, his grandfather, turned away from God and disobeyed the Lord’s commands (1 Samuel 15:11), God chose David to replace him as king. Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father who was also the crown prince, loved David. The two men were close friends and had a pact of loyalty with each other.

After Saul and his royal family were almost completely wiped out in a battle against their enemies, David was crowned the new king. When he was told that Mephibosheth had survived and was in hiding, he had the lame prince brought to his palace. He promised to restore to him all his family’s property and invited him to eat regularly at the king’s table. (Read the story in 2 Samuel 9:1-13.)

Muslims are in a situation much worse than Mephibosheth’s. They are lame because of a negative belief system that denies Christ the Lord and Savior. Satan has deprived them of what God intended them to have: eternal life in Christ. Yet, God is inviting them to the King’s table.

Prayer

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Eternal King over all the universe, thank you because you are extending an invitation to hurting, lame, paralyzed Muslims to eat at your table. You have prepared a feast for them. Your banquet hall is waiting.

Help Muslims realize that they are invited to eat at the King’s table. May they know that “The king has prepared a great banquet for them” (2 Kings 6:23). I pray that they will open their hearts to accept this invitation and receive Christ’s blessings. Restore to them, O God, what the enemy has taken away.

May Muslims receive the benefits of the cross of Jesus Christ with joy and gratitude.

In your mighty name I pray. Amen.

Promise

Don’t be afraid, I will show you kindness…. I will restore to you all the land that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat at my table always (2 Samuel 9:7, SAB).

In Every Muslim Country

Friday, February 12, 2021

Paul was imprisoned in Rome for the sake of Christ. Rather than complaining about it, he said that his imprisonment helped to spread the Gospel, and that everyone, including the palace guard, knew that he was in jail because he served Christ (Philippians 1:12-14). As he was giving his final greetings and signing off at the end of his letter to the church in Philippi, he said, “All the believers here, especially those in the king’s palace, send you their greetings” (Philippians 4:22, SAB).

May God place believers in Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior in every king’s and president’s palace in the Muslim world.

Prayer

God, our Father in heaven, you alone are the King over all kings and rulers. I pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit you will invade hearts of people in these high places. You, who channel the king’s heart like a stream of water (Proverbs 21:1), change their hearts to give total allegiance to Christ alone.

May the portals of these palaces be opened so that Christ, the King, can enter (Psalm 24:7-10). May the workers and dwellers in those stately residences be transformed by your divine power so that they bring people from death to life and from darkness to light. O Lord, make them useful in leading other Muslims to your Kingdom, who will then become useful in bringing others to Christ.

May the banner of Christ be lifted high over all these officials. May the righteousness of God rule in the “King’s Palace.”

Promise

I have heard your prayer…. God is able to accomplish far more than we might ask or imagine, according to his power at work in us (2 Kings 19:20, NLT; Ephesians 3:20, SAB).

Friday, February 5, 2021

A young girl from Israel was seized and taken as a prisoner of war by an invading army. She became a servant who worked for the wife of the commander of that army. While surrounded by her captors, she saw a tremendous opportunity to be a missionary. One day she told her mistress about a prophet in Israel who could heal her master, Naaman, of leprosy. When her master heard the message, he went to Israel and was healed by the power of the Almighty God. He then returned to his home, a believer in the God of Israel (read 2 Kings 5:1-19).

In some churches, members of the congregation think their role in the Kingdom is to pray, pay and obey. If a believer’s responsibility stops there, that is unbiblical. People who sit in the pews on Sunday should be evangelists, missionaries, and pastors on Monday. You too can be a soulwinner. We encourage you to pray for Muslims, but we also encourage you to witness to Muslims and lead them to Christ.

Prayer

Savior of the world, give me a passion for the wayward, a desire to rescue those who are on their way to eternal death (Proverbs 24:11-12). Give me a love like Jesus had, he who sought out sinners in order to set them free. Help me to experience the sorrow and anguish Paul felt for the lost (Romans 9:3-4).

“Give me the energy and the courage to share the spirit of the apostles, that like them I may truly be an ambassador of your grace.”^[1]

Help me win souls for you and disciple them into maturity. I do not feel adequate to do that in my own abilities, but I trust you to do it through me by the power of your Holy Spirit.

I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Promise

Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say (Exodus 4:11-12, NIV).

Footnotes

^[1] Hilary of Poitiers, 315-368 A.D.

Friday, January 29, 2021

Time and again the Lord puts Muslims in our paths. He wants us to be witnesses to his love and bring them to the Kingdom. Often Muslims are searching. I have encountered situations where they were just waiting for someone to tell them about Jesus.

Yet our enemy tries to intimidate us. He has many tricks to stop us from witnessing. For example, I may think it is sufficient for me to witness through my actions, no words needed… I’ll wait till I know more about Islam… I do not want to offend my friend… I am too shy; and so forth.

After years of imprisonment and torture by the communist authorities, a pastor said to a visiting American missionary: “Don’t ever give up in freedom what we would never have given up in persecution! That is our witness to the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!”^[1]

Wherever you are, whatever the nature of your relationship with your Muslim friend or the kind of preparation you have received, if you’re a Christian you need to witness.

Prayer

Great and merciful Father, forgive me for my shortcomings and the times I have failed to witness to people. Anoint me with your Holy Spirit to be your mouthpiece to a needy Muslim this week.

Give me courage and wisdom to speak the truth with love. Give me compassion and power to minister to them—spirit, soul and body. Keep me from ridiculing or despising Muslims and from saying anything that does not glorify Christ.

Open my mouth to express a heart full of God’s love for lost souls. Help me to be an encourager to the discouraged, a comforter to the downcast, and to point all people to the Way. Use me to minister to people through words of truth, acts of compassion and mighty works of the Holy Spirit.

Surprise me by helping me to lead a Muslim to your light, peace and life.

Promise

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will bear witness for me (Acts 1:8, REB). I have put my words in your mouth… Get up and tell them whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you afraid before them. (Jeremiah 1: 9, 17 Sharif Bible)

Footnotes

^[1] Nik Ripkin, The Insanity of God, p. 196.

Friday, January 22, 2021

God’s Word is powerful. Many Muslims have seen friends or relatives converted to Christ after reading his Word. Often these Muslim onlookers mistakenly attribute the conversion to a bewitching power in the Gospel. There are countless stories of Muslims who have burned or shredded a Bible or a New Testament because they were afraid to read or hear what it said.

My friend Ismael told me that when he saw one of his friends turn to Christ he thought it was because of some magic power in the “Book of Christians.” Another friend told me that her mother would never allow her to mention the name of Jesus. That mother was always afraid that “somehow” she herself would become Christian if she heard about Christ.

Prayer

Our God, we thank you for the message of life and freedom that you sent us through Christ our Lord and Savior. Thank you because he has set us free from sin and given us life eternal. We pray for Muslims, O Lord. They do not know the value of Christ’s message.

Although the Gospel is a stumbling block and foolishness to Muslims, I pray that you will open their eyes and minds to see in it the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).

Instead of fear, give them peace. Instead of alarm, give them calm. Instead of darkness, send the light of your word into their hearts to brighten their beings with meaning and purpose in Christ. In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, set them on the right path. Christ is the Way.

In the name of Jesus, your Son, our Lord, we pray.

Promise

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way (Psalm 25:8-9).

With the Largest Muslim Populations

Friday, January 15, 2021

While the Church has been “looking the other way,” there has been an explosion of Muslim population in the world! Christians have not been careful to obey Christ’s command to bring all people, including Muslims, into the Kingdom. Today, there are more than 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. More than one billion of those can be found in only eight countries! They are:

• Indonesia, 220 million
• Pakistan, 190 million
• India, 185 million
• Bangladesh, 144 million
• Nigeria , 90 million
• Egypt, 83 million
• Iran, 77 million
• Turkey, 75 million

(The numbers are rounded, compiled from various sources.)

Prayer

Father in heaven, I bring these large nations and their peoples to you. These numbers are staggering; they represent precious souls for whom Christ died on the cross. What can we do, Father, to even make a dent in that ocean of humanity? We have done so little; and we feel overwhelmed, Lord God.

We know you are telling us: “There are still very large areas of land to be taken over” (Joshua 13:1). Give us fresh courage. We cannot climb this mountain on our own or cross these heights by ourselves. Giants are in our way. Fill us with your Spirit, so we can go forward with enthusiasm and strength as never before.

By faith we want to see millions of Muslims come to Christ and sing praises around his throne (Revelation 5:11).

Empower us with your Word. Help us bring in a great harvest from every tribe, language, people and nation. For the glory of the name that is above every name, amen.

Promise

I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you (Joel 2: 25, NLT).

The LORD can win a victory with a few men as well as with many… one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the LORD your God fights for you (1 Samuel 14:6, GW; Joshua 23:10, NLT).

Friday, January 8, 2021

These are believers who have turned their back on the Lord Jesus. Muslims who put their faith in Christ often suffer persecution and abuse. The cost of following Christ is indeed high. Many believers persist and endure suffering and remain faithful to the Lord no matter the price. Others, however, give up and fall away when they sin or face persecution, rejection, or some other difficulty or temptation. Backsliders are not happy people: they once saw the light and tasted Christ’s goodness, but they are once again in the pit of miry clay.

Prayer

Loving and compassionate God, we come to you with tears and heavy hearts. We pray for Muslims who once acknowledged Christ as their Lord and Savior but have now turned away from Him. I pray that by your Holy Spirit you will convict them and bring them to repentance.

Dear Savior of all mankind, cause backsliders to realize the seriousness of rejecting Christ. May they never be satisfied with the “pods” that pigs feed on. Help them to come back to the Father’s house. Hear their confession, accept their repentance, and forgive their sin.

May they feel Your loving fatherly embrace and kiss as you welcome them back home (Luke 15:20). Empower them with the Holy Spirit and with God’s Word to withstand Satan’s attacks and live victoriously for Christ. Set their feet upon the Rock and put a new song in their mouths. Protect them from turning their back on Jesus ever again.

In his precious name I pray, amen.

Promise

A righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away… I will forgive them for leaving me and will love them freely (Hebrews 10:38, NLT; Hosea 14:4, NCV).

Friday, January 1, 2021

David was the rightful king of Israel whom God had chosen and anointed. Absalom, David’s son, conspired to usurp the throne from his father. He had some strong religious and political leaders on his side. One of those was Ahithophel. When David heard about that, he prayed that God would defeat Ahithophel’s scheme (2 Samuel 15:31).

Today, there are many who oppose the rule of God in our societies. We pray for their salvation and for the defeat of anti-God, anti-Christ schemes and plans.

The Bible declares that Satan is a usurper. He attempted to usurp God’s place (Isaiah 14:12-15). Christ defeated him by dying for our sins and rising from the dead. Satan’s final demise will take place when he is thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Prayer

Victorious Lord and King, I pray, just like David, that you will bring to nothing the plans of the enemy. Confound all schemes aimed against you and your Kingdom (Job 5:12-13). As the enemy seeks to use people, I pray that those plots against you will be frustrated and fail.

Above all, I pray for the salvation of people whom the enemy manipulates. Lord, turn the tables and use those people to advance your Kingdom and facilitate your rule over communities and nations.

You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words [of those who] ridicule the living God (2 Kings 19:15-16, NIV). In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Promise

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord…. no weapon forged against you will prevail (Proverbs 21:30; Isaiah 54:17, NIV).