Will Welcome Christ

Friday, March 31, 2023

This coming Sunday, Western Christendom celebrates Palm Sunday. We remember that Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly, yet humbly; he came riding on a donkey. The crowds wanted to express their joy. They went out to receive him, carrying palm branches and spreading their clothes on the road. They lifted their voices in adoration and praise. That was the way conquerors and kings were welcomed home from their victories.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Majestic and Almighty Savior, you humbled yourself to be gracious to us. You stooped down to be our Redeemer. We worship you. You alone are God. You alone are our Master. You are the visible image of the invisible God. Everything was created by you and for your glory: cities and nations, kings and kingdoms, rulers and authorities. You could have entered Jerusalem in a gold chariot studded with pearls and precious stones, but instead you rode in on a donkey. What humility!

I pray that you will enter triumphantly into cities and towns that are presently labeled as Muslim fortresses.

May you enter people’s hearts and change them. May many Muslims this week own you, Jesus Christ, as their Deliverer, Redeemer and King eternal. I pray that they will experience your love, compassion and tenderness. May they, in throngs, shout from the depths of their souls, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! … Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come…. Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Matthew 21:9; Revelation 4:8; 5:12, NIV).

Promise

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth (Psalm 67:4, NIV).

Friday, March 24, 2023

During this season, Muslims start the month-long fast called Ramadan. The Muslim calendar is based on the lunar year, which has only 354 days. So each year the month-long fast comes about 11 days earlier than in the previous year.

Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day throughout this month. They abstain from food, drink, smoking, smelling nice aromas, and marital relations. Each day after sunset, they break the fast, usually with a feast. They are allowed to eat until dawn of the following day.

According to Islam, the Ramadan fast enables people to gain a right standing with God and an entry into paradise.

Some Muslims actually believe that during this month the devil is chained and cannot cause them harm, that the doors of heaven are open and the doors of hell are closed.

Prayer

O Lord Jesus, I pray with love and compassion in my heart for Muslims during this season of fasting.

You know, Lord, that most Muslims are sincere people. They are serious about their religion and beliefs. Help them realize that to approach you they have to go through Jesus and his sacrifice at Calvary. They cannot save themselves from sin by “pulling themselves up by their bootstraps”! They cannot lift themselves up to you by performing rituals and religious duties.

O God, help them discover that we are saved, not through works of righteousness, but only by faith through your undeserved favor.

I pray that you will reveal yourself to Muslims during this month as the Savior who has already accomplished all things. May they know that on the cross “it is finished.” Amen.

Promise

It is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life” (Galatians 3:11, NLT).

Chief of Police in Tabriz

Friday, March 17, 2023

Merat Sultan was born in the shah of Iran’s palace in 1876. He became the chief of police and of the army in Tabriz, Iran. When the Russians invaded and occupied that area, they made plans to execute Sultan. He escaped, but because it was snowing, he stopped at the house of an Armenian priest. The priest housed and fed him for 40 days.

When Sultan decided he needed to keep running from his pursuers, the priest told him that all during his stay, he had been praying for him for protection and safe return to his family. Then the priest asked him to pledge that when he got home safely, he would follow Christ as his Savior. Sultan promised and went on his way.

But Sultan was captured by the Russian forces and put in prison, awaiting execution. The morning he was to be put to death, he suddenly remembered his promise. He immediately prayed to the Lord, saying: “Jesus Christ, if you are alive today and you are the Savior of sinful men, deliver me, a sinner, from this disaster so that I may believe on you.”

Through a miracle, the Russian government set Sultan free. When he got home, he and his family gave their hearts to Christ. Later he was elected head of the church in his area, a great honor for a convert from Islam.^[1]

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of sinners, deliverer of the afflicted, and protector of the helpless, thank you for your great power. Thank you for showing Sultan compassion and mercy and bringing him, his wife, and all six children into your Kingdom by faith.

Thank you for helping him serve you fearlessly and with honor, courageously preaching the Gospel in churches and in open-air meetings.

By faith, we claim that your Spirit will lead many Muslim officials like Sultan to experience salvation through faith in Jesus. May they boldly proclaim your Word and serve the Church with integrity. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Promise

I will pour out water for the thirsty, and streams will flow on the dry ground (Isaiah 44:3, SAB).

Footnotes

^[1] C. H. Allen. “Why a Muslim Official Changed His Religion.” In The Muslim World. 1952:176-184; and W. M. Miller, Tales of Persia, 1979:76-80.

Friday, March 10, 2023

Two centuries ago, missionaries from the West started to arrive in the Middle East and Lebanon was the area they preferred. It was part of Syria and under the Ottoman Turkish rule. With God’s help and under the power of the Holy Spirit missionaries saw a great harvest over several decades. Although not many of us have heard of them, people such as Bliss, Jessup, Smith and Van Dyck are luminaries in the annals of missionaries. They sacrificed everything, suffered a lot, and struggled with threats, hunger, disease, and many other problems. God in his mercy graced them with great results. They translated the Bible into classic Arabic, started churches, established educational institutions and published vast amounts of Christian literature.

In addition, Lebanon has been the home of many martyrs who died because of their faith, including Asaad Shediak and Kamil al-Aytani who were murdered in the prime of life only because they decided to follow Christ.

This country has been favored with

• natural beauty of sea, mountains, rivers, snow, forests, and greenery,
• a degree of freedom of religion, and
• being the most democratic among all the Arab countries.^[1]

Yet, it has continually suffered the devastating effects of political upheavals, sectarian and communal strife, civil wars, and bloodshed.

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we thank you for those heroes who came to the Middle East to offer Christ to a people that were steeped in the darkness of Islam and traditions. Thank you for the work that is going on now in Lebanon. I pray that people there will open their hearts to Christ.

Help people realize that the misery caused by fanaticism and sectarianism will not end unless Christ is crowned King over their lives.

Promise

There will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God (Isaiah 35:2, NLT).

Footnotes

^[1] Also, the word Lebanon is mentioned about 70 times in the Bible in relation to the dwellers, mount or cedar.

Friday, March 3, 2023

In the Word of God, Jesus has many titles and is described in different ways. For example, Jesus calls himself the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:14). What a privilege we have to know him as the One who takes care of us, who makes us lie down in green pastures, who leads us to quiet waters, who restores our soul, who guides us in paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:1-3). He is also the One who goes after the lost sheep until he finds it (Luke 15:4). And he is the only One who laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:11,15).

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for your great love. I intercede for Muslims. May they believe in you and experience you as their Good Shepherd. May they trust in you completely to save them from sin, guard and protect them from the enemy, and lead them in peace and wholeness throughout their lives.

May they realize that you are faithful and true and will never mislead them. May they know you are trustworthy and will never abandon them. Teach them to listen to your voice and obey the leading and promptings of the Holy Spirit.

When Muslims come to you by faith, trusting Jesus as Savior, I pray that your Spirit will watch over them. Protect them against wolves, thieves, and intruders (John 10:10).

For your name’s sake. Amen.

Promise

I am the good shepherd (John 10:14).

Friday, February 24, 2023

Moses married an African woman. His family was not happy, possibly because of racism. They spoke against him. But God came down to defend him (read the story in Numbers 12).

When you are in situations where people talk and plot against you, trust God because he is your defender. Whether they ridicule and mistreat you because of being a follower of Christ, because of your ethnic background, or for anything else, your Father in heaven sees and hears.

God is able to give you the wisdom, patience, and endurance to wait for him to vindicate you.

Prayer

Great God, Eternal Father, maker of all men and women, I come to you as a sinner saved by grace. Thank you. I approach your holy presence in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ.

The people who inflict pain on me are not my enemies. My real enemy is Satan. Bring his plans to naught. I claim victory over him through the power of the blood of Jesus who is my advocate in heaven.

Put on your armor Lord God; take up your shield, and prepare for battle. Come to my aid and wrap your arms around me to protect me and give me victory (Psalms 35:2-3; 84:11).

As for people who allow themselves to be used against your plans for my life, help me to love them, forgive them, and be compassionate toward them. May the light of Christ shine in their hearts and transform them into vessels of honor, holy for the service of the Master.

I pray that the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in my life and bring glory and honor to your name. Amen.

Promise

Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places (Deuteronomy 33:29, NIV).

About the Intentions of New Seekers

Friday, February 17, 2023

We were right in the middle of a “behind-closed-doors” worship meeting when someone rang our doorbell. I raised a fast prayer to heaven and opened the door to find a stranger named Mouldi. He claimed he had come to faith in Jesus in Europe. I asked the Lord to reveal to me if he was telling the truth or if he was secret police masquerading as a Christian!

The Holy Spirit reassured me, and I led Mouldi to our meeting room. When we entered, everyone stopped singing. They were troubled to see a stranger come into our meeting. But when Mouldi told us his story, everyone started to relax. Later, he became a leader in the church and was a great help in missions work.

We always need the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the real intentions of a Muslim who says he or she has accepted Jesus Christ. This is very important, especially for those who serve in societies where the authorities hunt down people working to spread the Gospel.

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.^[1] I magnify and exalt you because you are God. You know how weak we are. You gave us your Holy Spirit to empower us and guide us. You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning (Daniel 2: 21). Thank you.

May we never turn away a person who is genuinely seeking you. We know that there are some who are not sincere yet try to join themselves to your church (Daniel 11: 34). That is why we pray that you will help all your servants who work in areas where authorities ban the Gospel.

We need revelation and guidance from your Spirit as we face decisions that will make the difference in people’s lives. Help us to be sensitive, listen to and follow your promptings. You reveal deep and hidden things (Daniel 2:22); reveal them to us in time of need. You know what inhabits the darkness, and light dwells in you. Shine your light in our heart and conscience. Amen.

Promise

There is in heaven a God who reveals secrets (Daniel 2:28, REB).

Footnotes

^[1] It means may your name be revered as holy.

Friday, February 10, 2023

The young convert’s business partner saw him reading the Bible and informed the authorities. When they found out he was a follower of Jesus, they told his family who decided at once to make plans to kill him. So, he lost no time and escaped to another country.

Many Muslims who come to faith in Christ must leave their homes. Some of them are disinherited and physically and emotionally abused. Others are massacred. To avoid such harsh penalties, many escape to another city or country. By and large, only a few manage to stay in their hometown and continue to live for Jesus.

This week we focus our prayer for those who have left their families and societies to seek refuge in many places around the world.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20), we praise you that many Muslims are coming to you by faith. We pray for these brothers and sisters who have left homes, families, jobs, and cultures because of their faith in you.

I pray that you will fill them with your presence. Let them realize that your eyes are upon them to protect and bless them. Lord God, use them in their new environment as effective messengers of the Gospel. When they find themselves in different cultures, in the midst of unfamiliar surroundings and foreign languages, fill their hearts with your peace, love, and joy.

Put your Word in their mouths. Manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Use them in a powerful way like you have used others who have faced similar situations (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19).

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Promise

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you (Genesis 28:15, NIV).

Who Travel to Muslim Lands

Friday, February 3, 2023

Christians from many countries are traveling all over the world. And a good number of them go to Muslim countries. When the Holy Spirit fills us with divine zeal for the lost, what a mighty force we can be to witness for our Lord and Savior!

If we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the courage to open our mouth, we will be surprised at how God guides us to needy people and uses our words to minister to them.

Prayer

Lord God, I bring to you countless Christians who are faithful to the Savior and are traveling in Muslim lands. Give them courage. Anoint them with the Holy Spirit. Help them start a conversation, offer a commendation, or extend a helping hand to people they meet. May they touch others with the compassion of Christ to give hope and joy. Help them minister salvation from sin, light in the darkness, peace in turbulent life, and victory in the place of defeat.

I am not asking that all Christians become ministers, but that all Christians will have the courage to lead people to Jesus.

Help us all to live under the banner of the Redeemer lives that are described as more than conquerors.

Thank you. Amen.

Promise

You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you (Jeremiah 1:7-8, NIV).

Will Become Active in Bringing Muslims to Christ

Friday, January 27, 2023

The Middle East boasts a church that is more ancient than anywhere else in the world. Yet, because of the Islamic invasion of the area in the 7th century and the ensuing expansion of the Muslim empire, the Middle East population today is mainly Muslim.

Because of that invasion and the authoritarian Islamic rule, the divide between Christians and Muslims has been sharp and almost unfathomable. We know that only God’s love can change that situation.

Politics, religious and nationalistic affiliation apart, the reality that the people of the two religions speak the same language and understand each other’s culture and traits makes it incumbent on Christians to be more involved in bringing their Muslim compatriots to the cross of Calvary. This is what we need to pray for.

Prayer

Almighty God our Father in heaven, we praise you and honor your holy name. You have entrusted us with bringing others to your banquet house to magnify your name and enjoy your eternal blessings.

I pray that Middle Eastern Christians will go past mistreatment and persecution by Muslims to forgive them. May my brothers and sisters in the Middle East put that history behind them and ask you to help them to bring many Muslims to you.

Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, you died for Muslims too. They are ignorant of your love and oblivious to your sacrifice. Open their eyes, open their minds, open their hearts to see and accept the Son of God.

I pray that you will revive your church in the Middle East. Arm your people there with the mighty Spirit of God to go and bring in the ripe harvest of Muslims. In Christ’s precious name. Amen.

Promise

Love your enemies and pray for the good of those who persecute you, so that you will be sons of your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:44-45, SEB).