Friday, May 20, 2022

Let us pray that our authority over the enemy will be released. Remember your position and authority in Christ. You are God’s child, redeemed by the blood of His Son and destined to the throne. We are not pawns in this world’s power play.

We are rulers; in Christ we have been given authority over all the power of the enemy to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 10:1; Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:19). Our God and Redeemer has made us more than conquerors. He has given us the power to lead a victorious life in all circumstances (Romans 8:37-39).

Satan is a usurper; he tries to deprive you of the authority that you have over him.

Prayer

Blessed are you, Lord God Almighty. Thank you for your trust in me and your generous provision. In myself I have no authority or power. I have no latitude.

Anything I have is from you and by your grace, O Lord God. In Christ, you have showered many blessings upon me. You have forgiven my sins. You have given me abundant life, and you fill me with the Holy Spirit. Thank you.

Help me use my authority in you. In the name of Jesus I rebuke the enemy. I tear down his strongholds and push back the forces of darkness.

I pray with authority in Jesus’ name that hearts of Muslims will be changed. This very week may many Muslims be reconciled to you. Deliver them from the snares of the enemy and build your Church, O God, among Muslims.

In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Promise

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (Luke 10:19, NIV).

Friday, May 13, 2022

William was born to an affluent family in Chicago in 1887. When he graduated from high school, his graduation gift from the family was a year-long world tour. Upon his return from that trip, he announced he wanted to be a missionary to Muslims in northwest China. While he pursued his studies at Yale and later at Princeton, he ministered to others and prepared himself for missionary service.

When William finished his studies, he went to Cairo, Egypt, to study Arabic. His plan was to continue his travels on to China. But in Cairo, he became sick with cerebral meningitis. Two weeks later, William Borden died! He was only 25 years old. His epitaph said, “Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation for such a life.”

Prayer

Almighty God, our Father in heaven, we thank you for the story and legacy of this young man. We owe our lives to you, O Lord. No sacrifice for you is too dear, because by your grace you have brought us from darkness to light.

I pray that you will raise up many thousands of young men and women like Borden to be on fire with divine zeal and passion to bring the lost to your Kingdom. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and power so they can speak your truth without fear and declare your holiness and righteousness.

May you burst forth from heaven to show your glory to Muslims (Isaiah 64:1). Manifest your mighty power by changing their lives. Revive their hearts and give them hope, joy and peace. May they boast in nothing other than the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).

In his precious name, amen.

Promise

I know the things you do, and though you have little strength, you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name. That is why I have opened a door for you that no one can close (Revelation 3:8, SAB).

Friday, May 6, 2022

Several times a day Muslims repeat the Islamic creed which states: “I witness that there is no god except God and that Muhammad is the apostle of God.” The mere recitation of this creedal statement makes one a Muslim.

In ancient times, pagan Arabs worshipped many gods. The Quran strongly denounces this and orders people to worship God alone.

The belief that Muhammad is the “seal” of the prophets is central to Islam. It means that he is the final prophet, the most authoritative, and the “crown” of all. No Muslim would stop short of asserting their belief in Muhammad.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that Muslims will come to realize that reciting this creed does not make people acceptable in your sight. May they come to know Jesus Christ, the Way, and understand the scriptural passage which declares that confession and faith in him are necessary for salvation (Romans 10:9).

Lord God, I pray that many Muslims today will realize that eternal life is “that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent” (John 17:3). May they repent and accept Jesus as their Savior from sin and Lord and King over their life and affairs.

O God, as every knee in heaven and on earth and under the earth shall bow to him, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, I pray that the creedal statement of Islam, particularly shouted from the top of mosques, will be replaced by a declaration of faith in the only Almighty Savior and Lord. Amen.

Promise

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John ; 10:10, NIV).

Friday, April 29, 2022

Muslims end the month-long Ramadan fast with a celebration known as Id al-Fitr, a national holiday in Muslim countries. There are parties and festivities. No more rigorous abstention from food and drink. The mood changes from somber to joyful. Family members get together. People give alms to the poor.

Yet, it is not uncommon at this time of jubilation and glee for people to feel empty and unfulfilled.

Prayer

Blessed be your majesty in heaven, O God (Ezekiel 3:12). You are the True God, the only God to be worshipped and adored. You are the source of true joy and comfort; you are our hope.

I pray for these dear friends; may they allow you to transform their lives. Although they are breaking the fast at this time and celebrating and feasting, what they really need is Jesus, the Bread of Life. Open their hearts to receive the message of Christ. Give them a hunger and a thirst for the Word of God. Put in them the desire to know Jesus and follow him.

You promised to spread a banquet, a feast of rich food for all peoples (Isaiah 25:6). Lord, Muslims are very needy; they are hungry for you, even if they do not realize it. I pray that the love of Christ will touch their hearts. May they realize the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary. May many of them, even today, commit their lives to you, our Lord and Savior, and find true peace, joy and rest in you. Amen.

Promise

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38, NIV).

Friday, April 22, 2022

Yemen is located in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Yemeni people belong to numerous tribes and are very distinct from other Arab races. Though the Gospel reached that country early on, now Islam is the predominant and only acknowledged religion in that country.

Civil war has devastated the country for several years. Violence is rampant, terrorist groups operate freely, thousands have died, tens of thousands suffer from malnutrition, many hospitals and schools have been destroyed, and the state infrastructure and institutions are in shambles. At the center of all this lie sectarian differences and tribal strife among Muslims.

Prayer

Merciful and compassionate Father in heaven, you are our comforter, you are our source of peace. We look to you alone because you are our only help and reassurance. I bring to you the country of Yemen that is experiencing terrible suffering, misery, and the overall ruin of society because of war.

I pray for Yemenis to receive your Word in the language and dialects they speak and understand. Bring multitudes of them to your Kingdom. Help believers grow in the love and knowledge of the Lord and mature as they live for him and propagate their faith. Give them the ability and courage to witness to others with ease and anointing.

I pray that churches will be planted and spring up in every tribe and tribal division. Lord God, grant that local indigenous pastors and leaders be in charge of the flock, and may they act with integrity and honesty in the fear of the Lord.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, your Son, my Lord, I pray. Amen.

Promise

Come to me, all of you who are weary and have heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28, SAB).

Friday, April 15, 2022

Today we remember Jesus’ crucifixion, the only means by which we have eternal life. Islam rejects Jesus’ death on the cross. The Quran states that he was never crucified, that he never died, and that instead, God took him to heaven alive. Muslims reason that God would not let Jesus, the good prophet, die such an ignominious death on a cross for sins that others committed.

Muslims do not see the seriousness of humans’ sinful nature, so they reject the need for redemption. For them the cross is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

Prayer

God Almighty, our loving Heavenly Father, we acknowledge you as our eternal Redeemer. We come humbly, awed by your love and Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary. What shame and pain he endured to save us from sin and doom! The Lamb of God died to give us life. Thank you.

My Muslim friends do not understand that Christ’s death on the cross was your supreme gift to sinful humans. Help them realize that they are sinners who need redemption. Show them the power of the cross that saves us from sin, transforms our lives from darkness to light, and rescues us from the kingdom of Satan to make us part of the Kingdom of God.

Convict them of their serious sin of rejecting the cross. May they believe your Word and accept the Gospel. I plead for Muslims that they will know that Jesus died to redeem them from their sins and rose to justify them. Remove the veil from their minds; open their eyes. Capture their hearts with your love.

Help Muslims understand that the day Jesus died on the cross was not a gloomy, depressive day. It is a day of victory over sin, Satan and death. It is a day of celebration and joy.

All praise and glory to you, crucified and risen Christ, the First and the Last, the Living One who died and who is alive for ever and ever. Amen.

Promise

For the message of the cross is sheer nonsense to those who are lost, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18, SAB).

In Islam

Friday, April 8, 2022

The Quran advises a husband to beat his wife in certain circumstances. Here is the verse:

As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them, then refuse to share their beds, and then beat them (The Quran 4:34).^[1]

So, if a husband physically strikes his wife, he does so because he follows the precepts of the Quran. Often the wife accepts beating because she sees it as the will of God.

The Bible never condones wife beating. Since striking someone is usually a result of uncontrolled anger, it is considered evil. The Bible gives us two essential guiding principles for how a man should treat his wife:

1. A man should love his wife as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25).
2. A man should honor his wifeand treat her respectfully as an equal recipient of God’s grace (1 Peter 3:7).

We should note here that in spite of the quranic verse, many decent men have genuine love and respect for their wives. They treat them very well and would never lift a hand against them. Also, in a few cases I have encountered, it is the Muslim wife who beats her husband. That, of course, is a rarity!

Prayer

Lord God, your Word is like a hammer that breaks the rock (Jeremiah 23:29). I pray that you will send your Word to Muslims and turn their hearts to you to accept the claims of Christ as the only Savior from sin, the Ruler of the universe, and soon-to-be Judge of all.

I pray for battered and mistreated wives. I know it must hurt you to see your creation abused. Send your Spirit to these women and their husbands to demonstrate that you love them. May they all realize that you are waiting with open arms, ready to welcome them into your Kingdom and accept them as children by faith in Christ Jesus the Lord.

Promise

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1, NLT).

Footnotes

^[1] The author’s translation from the original Arabic.

Friday, April 1, 2022

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).

Friday, March 25, 2022

When Jesus healed two demoniacs, the people in that area got upset and asked Jesus to leave their country (Matthew 8:28-34). Why? Because, as a result of the healing, they had lost thousands of pigs. They valued their pigs more than the healing and restoration of two poor humans who had been tortured by demons.

The Islamic value system is not very different from those people’s ethics and principles. Often the dictates of society are of more import than the value of a human being. Conforming to the letter of their religion is more essential than showing compassion towards a needy person. In general, the Islamic value system is there to direct individuals’ behavior and control their thoughts.^[1] If one steps outside the boundaries of traditions and customs, one exposes oneself to trouble. In other words, if one’s thoughts, plans, and actions are not aligned with those of the group, that person exposes himself to real danger.

Prayer

Christ, Lord, Master, Redeemer, and Savior, I pray first that you cleanse my heart from any dross or dregs. Look at my value system and reorient my convictions, behavior, actions, and decisions to be guided by the love of God. You desire of us mercy, not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13; 12:7).

I pray for Muslims coming to God through faith in the mighty Savior. Only you, by the power of your Spirit, can readjust their value system and their priorities to express the values of the crucified, risen Savior. May they, through rebirth by the Spirit, renounce old things and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14, ESV). Lead them to understand and act upon your precepts based on sacrificial love. May the Sermon on the Mount light their way and reveal to them a new constitution and a new way to live.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Promise

By uprightness the blameless keep their course (Proverbs 11:5, REB).

Footnotes

^[1] https://sy-sic.com/?p=8752

In the Life of Many Muslims

Friday, March 18, 2022

Muslims generally do not believe it is possible to have a close relationship with God. To them, he is not Father or Savior or Redeemer. He is unreachable and unknowable.

With such a vacuum in their soul, many Muslims seek to fill up their emptiness and try to cope with life’s crises through various occultic practices. They enlist the help of occultic practitioners such as mediums, spiritists, diviners, fortune-tellers, and sand-readers. The fact that the Quran has a whole chapter titled Jinn (which means “spirits”) apparently gives them license to get the help of such occultic practitioners. These are detestable practices in the sight of God (Deuteronomy 18:10-11).

And because of such emptiness, Muslims nowadays also increasingly resort to atheism or whatever social current or philosophical thought they might encounter. The vacuum in their lives is unmistakable.

Prayer

I bow my head in your holy presence to worship and adore you, the only true God, Three in One, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You alone can fill the emptiness in people’s hearts. So, I ask that you magnify your name to be crowned King, Lord and Savior over Muslims’ lives.

Wake up your Church, blessed King Eternal, to carry her responsibility toward this enormous segment of world population, 1.7 billion people! Muslims need you, but they are unaware of their predicament. They are in a dismal eternal quandary, and they do not know it.

Manifest your power and mercy. Give your children courage to open our mouths and declare the truth in love. Soften Muslims’ hearts. Bring them to the cross to receive forgiveness, life, purpose, and joy.

In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Promise

I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49:23, NIV).