PTAP: Hajj 2021 - Day 2 Sacred Act 2: Wuqoof (standing at Arafat)

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on July 18, 2021 at 10:52

Today is the most important day of the Hajj. Why? Because Muslim scholars say this is the “day the religion of Islam was perfected.”

The Hajj only becomes valid when the day of Wuqoof is observed. It is on this day Muslims believe their major and minor sins are forgiven. If they miss this day, their pilgrimage is pointless. Today, they will ask Allah for mercy and forgiveness as they stand or sit near Mount Arafat. Muslims believe that as they finish this day they are cleansed of sin which also brings freedom from shame. At sunset, a cannon sounds. Pilgrims leave Mount Arafat to go to Muzdalifah, an open level place where they sleep or stay up all night under the stars.

Key Scriptures to Pray

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 “He [Jesus Christ] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [Jesus] is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:42-43

Going before the Father

Muslim pilgrims long for their major and minor sins to be removed from their lives. John the Baptist’s words cry out that Jesus takes away the sins of the world. Pray that Muslims would not feel they have a cleansed heart until they accept and delight in the finished work of Christ.
God appointed Jesus to be judge of the living and the dead. Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins. Pray that the truth of the Lord Jesus’ life, death and resurrection would penetrate the hearts of longing Muslims. Pray they will be drawn to the Giver of Life and believe in Him to receive the forgiveness of sins through His name alone.
Pray that as many Muslims seek to stay up all night to pray, they would have dreams and visions of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:17). Ask God for an open heaven so that the ones who are genuinely seeking an encounter with God will meet Him.

PTAP: Hajj - Day 1

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on July 17, 2021 at 20:06

Hajj 2021 - Day 1

Sacred Act 1: Ihram (cleaning, preparation day

Pilgrims must enter into the state of Ihram (purity) which involves ritual washing and then wearing white, plain garments. These garments indicate that all pilgrims are equal. Following this cleansing, pilgrims are officially on the Hajj. As they cross the pilgrimage boundary, the men will shout the Talbiyah, a Muslim prayer: “Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners.” During this day of cleansing, pilgrims visit the the Grand Mosque in which the Ka'aba is located. The Ka'aba is a black building in the center of the Mosque that is considered to be the Bayt Allah (“House of God”), the most sacred site in Islam. It is equivalent to the Holy of Holies in the Jewish Tabernacle and Temple. After leaving the Grand Mosque, many pilgrims will walk to the tent city of Mina to spend the night.

Key Scriptures to Pray

“But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.” Hebrews 9:11-14

Going before the Father

Pray Muslims would know that only the Lord Jesus Christ provides the “purification for sins” that they desire. Pray for their spiritual journey to include dreams and visions of Jesus.
As Muslims walk into the Grand Mosque and see the Ka’aba, they feel like they are entering the most holy place on earth. Hebrews 9:11-14 says the Lord Jesus entered the “Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption”.
Pray that pilgrims would know that only in Jesus can they have an unblemished conscience and eternal redemption.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xZZx9Qeujc&t=1s

PTAP: Week 2: Students, Expats, 2nd Generation, Tradition, Justification, Evil in Islam, Ramadan

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on April 20, 2021 at 17:41

Day 8 (April 20) - Pray for university students in the AP

Col 1:27-29 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Young adults are often considering life’s biggest questions and are open to the gospel. Thousands of them from all over the world are moving to the AP to study at universities, joining the thousands of local, Arab students. In this setting, disciples of Jesus can participate in campus life as professors, staff, and students. As God opens these doors, local young adults in the AP have unprecedented opportunities to develop friendships with Christians and hear the good news for the first time.

Prayer: Father, thank you for opening doors for Christian professors and students to come to universities in the AP. We pray that you would help them live a holy life that causes students to ask questions. We ask that you would fill them with love for students and staff, to serve them, and speak the good news of Jesus to them so that they can present everyone mature in Christ. Please give local students ears to hear and eyes to see the riches of the glory of the gospel, Christ in us, the hope of glory! Amen.

Watch this testimony of how one Saudi international student came to faith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkb09G2RK0w

Day 9 (April 21) – Pray for expat churches in the AP

The Gulf countries have opened their doors to foreigners from all over the world to come and work (The Gulf countries are the six AP countries minus Yemen). Some have even given official permission for international churches to meet. These international churches are gathering in many languages, worshiping Jesus, and shining his light in the AP. These churches are full of engineers, teachers, maids, construction workers, embassy workers, and other professionals who come from around the world. Each of these believers have unique opportunities to start relationships with local co-workers and neighbors. Praise God that there are over one million expat Christians in the Gulf today!

Prayer: Father, please fill these believers with your Holy Spirit to speak your word with boldness (Acts 4:31). Empower them to make the most of every opportunity, speaking with wisdom to give answers to each person who asks about the hope that they have (Colossians 4:6). Protect the pastors as they shepherd these believers from all over the world and equip them to minister the gospel in the AP. Encourage them as they bear the burdens of their people. Help them to faithfully proclaim Christ, that in him only are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Use the churches to bring firm faith to those who don’t know you yet. Make the church a bastion of truth and good order against false and plausible arguments against you. Amen.

Day 10 (April 22) – Pray for second generation believers

Col 2:6-7 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Second generation believers in the AP are very few, but God is doing amazing things in the lives of AP Arab families, in both the parents and the children.

Prayer: O Heavenly Father, we praise you that you have worked through families in every generation since Adam and Eve. We pray specifically for the second generation of believers in the AP. We thank you for the children and teenagers who have professed faith. As they have received Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, give them power to walk in you. Give them even firmer roots and continue to build them up in you. Establish them in the faith and train them to abound in thanksgiving in all things. Especially bless this family that came to faith on two different continents. Lord, we ask you for more families to come to faith for your promise is for us and our children (Acts 2:39). Amen.

Day 11 (April 23) – Pray against the human tradition of Islam

Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

The church around the world needs to have compassion on Muslims because they suffer from fear, anger, condemnation, and constant attacks from the devil and elemental spirits. They have been taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition and not according to Christ who is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4).

Prayer: O Christ, have mercy on our dear Muslim friends. We love them, but the evil one has blinded and enslaved them. Please have mercy on them and break the bondage of empty deceit. Destroy the elemental spirits which rule in their hearts. May they experience freedom in you, freedom from fear, anger, and punishment. Pour out your grace and love so that they will be refreshed like drinking water in the Arabian desert. Bring real joy and freedom to their hearts for the first time in their lives! Amen.

Day 12 (April 24) – Pray for justification by faith alone

When we know Jesus Christ, there is no need to seek meaning in life through religion, philosophy, or cults as the Colossians did. Christ is the meaning of life because he is life itself! We don’t need to add anything to what Christ has achieved for us to be saved. We are complete in him. Muslims believe that one must do good works to accrue favor with Allah. One’s good deeds and bad deeds are literally recorded by angels and measured on a scale. However, for Christians, God has cancelled the record of debt that stood against us, nailing it to the cross of Christ. There is no record of wrongdoing! We have been completely forgiven in Christ, buried, and raised with him through faith through the powerful working of God’s grace. Sermons in mosques always urge Muslims to become better Muslims, to be more obedient to the tenants of Islam. In contrast, our God’s ultimate goal is not to make bad people more religious, but to make dead people come alive!

Prayer: O Savior and Lord, if you kept a record of sins, who could stand? We thank you that there is forgiveness with you so that we can serve you (Psalm 130:3,4). We constantly wait for you and put our hope in your unfailing love. May Arab Muslims in the AP experience the grace of your forgiveness in Christ alone. Show them that their deeds are worthless in gaining salvation, that physical circumcision and religious rituals cannot earn your favor. Circumcise their hearts and make them alive together with Christ! Baptize them in Christ’s death and resurrection so that they may be spiritually united to Christ, the head of all rule and authority. Amen.

Day 13 (April 25) – Pray to fight against spiritual evil

Col 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

The city of Bahla in Oman is the center of black magic in Oman and arguably for the entire AP. The occult is alive and well in the AP despite the fact that orthodox Islam forbids it. Stories abound of humans being turned into animals, people being transported to anywhere in the world by stepping over a line drawn on the ground, demons speaking through family members, witches casting curses upon their opponents, etc. Muslims are like the rest of us, weak people who seek relief and practical answers to life. Because Islam does not satisfy the inner being, some Muslims go elsewhere to find answers.

Prayer: O Lord of hosts, God of armies, you are a powerful warrior who fights for us in the heavenly places! Thank you Lord that you defeated Satan on the cross and that your kingdom and righteousness are growing and will not be stopped. Thank you that you have disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in Christ. We pray the same for Muslims in the AP, that you would free them from the evil spirits that rule their lives through black magic in particular. We pray especially for Bahla. Put the evil authorities in Bahla to shame so that they may no longer oppress the Omani people! Have mercy on them, O God, and build your church in Bahla. Also, may local believers in the AP put on the full armor of God because Satan is enraged that they are in a different kingdom now. Protect them from the evil one and give them victory over all evil rulers and authorities. Amen.

Pray for Bahla, Oman:

Day 14 (April 26) – Pray during Ramadan, a new moon festival

Paul had to respond to doctrinal errors affecting the church. He had to deal with issues regarding food, drink, festivals, and new moons. Ramadan is a type of new moon festival based on the lunar calendar. Sightings of the moon mark the beginning and the end of the month of Ramadan. Ramadan also deals with food and drink since a Muslim cannot eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. And verse 18 could describe Mohammad, someone who insisted on asceticism during Ramadan and also claimed that the angel Gabriel came to him in visions with the words of the Qur’an. On the contrary, Paul continues to exalt Christ as preeminent. Christ is the substance, not the shadow!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you with humility that you have freed us from unnecessary rituals and religious piety that cannot save us. The substance belongs to Christ. Thank you for qualifying us in him alone! Please have mercy on Muslims in the AP who try to justify themselves through asceticism and religious rites. Help them, O God, to discover that Christ is all in all. Save many during Ramadan when they are more aware of spiritual matters. May they know that on the cross, “it is finished”! Amen.

PTAP: Prayer for Muslims in Arabia, Ramadan 2021, week 1 ... link to testimony.

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on April 13, 2021 at 16:44

Week 1: Pray for the Arabian Peninsula during Ramadan

Join millions of Christians from around the world to pray for Muslims for 30 days during this very critical time of the year in the Islamic calendar. We love Muslims, and thus we want to plead with God that they will come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please find below for daily prayer topics for the week, as we pray for Muslims with a focus on the Arabian Peninsula

Day 1 (April 13) - Pray for the word to guide our prayers

Col 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

The Apostle Paul wrote Colossians to the church in Colossae around 60 AD. Letters at that time usually began with a greeting from the author to the recipient. Here, Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. He does not come on his own authority but on the authority of God himself in Christ.

Prayer: O God our Father, we thank you that you are our Heavenly Father who gives us grace and peace through Christ Jesus your Son. Thank you that you have given him all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, we pray in his name on this first day of Ramadan that the teaching of the apostles as found in scripture would be the foundation of our prayers and also the foundation of the local church in the AP. Grant us wisdom, knowledge, and insight in order to understand Colossians and to pray it faithfully on behalf of the AP and the entire Muslim world. O Holy Spirit, would you illumine our minds and guide us into all truth (John 16:13-15). Amen.

Day 2 (April 14)– Pray for a love for the Trinity

Muslims deny the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and accuse Christians of the grave sin of “shirk”, namely, assigning idolatrous partners to Allah. This violates the Islamic doctrine of “tawheed” that proclaims the indivisible oneness of Allah. Many Muslims believe that Christians worship three gods, that the Father had relations with Mary and Jesus was thus born. They also believe that the Holy Spirit is just an angel.

Prayer: O Blessed Trinity, we praise you that you are a precious unity in diversity. We thank you Father for giving us your Son Jesus as the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world. And we thank you Holy Spirit for applying this salvation to our lives through faith. May the local Arabs in the AP acknowledge and worship you as One God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Break down all barriers Muslims have against you so that they will come to love the glory, brilliance, power, and love found within yourself. Blessed are you forever and ever! Amen.

Day 3 (April 15) – Pray for the different people groups in the AP

Praise God for the local believers in the AP! Although the numbers are small, it is growing as God has promised. The Arab people are the main indigenous group in the AP. They are the original Arab Bedouins of the desert. Mohammad, the founder of Islam, was one of them. However, there are minority people groups as well.

Prayer: O Lord of the nations, we thank you for your promise that all nations will be gathered to worship you as one church! Thank you for the hope we have laid up for us in heaven as brothers and sisters in one family. We pray that the word of truth, the gospel, would go to all the people groups of the AP. May it transform lives among the Zanzibari Omanis, the Baluchi, the Mahri, the Jebeli, and the Shuhooh. We also ask for Ephraphas’s to come out of these people groups to reach their own people, to be faithful ministers of Christ. May your church in the AP among these peoples bear much fruit and grow as it is in the whole world. Amen.

Day 4 (April 16) – A prayer for all local, AP believers

Col 1:9-12 is a wonderful and powerful prayer by Paul. Simply pray the same prayer for all the local believers in the AP. Change the pronoun “you” to “they”. Or if you know of a local believer, say his or her name. Pray this prayer for our brothers and sisters and rest assured that the Lord will bless the AP church out of his knowledge, wisdom, understanding, joy, patience, and glorious might.

Be encouraged by this testimony of a Saudi woman:

https://vimeo.com/200606089 ;

Day 5 (April 17) – Praise Jesus for his supremacy and preeminence

Colossians 1:13-20 During Paul’s time, various theories about Jesus were circulating and being promoted. For instance, heresies which mixed astrology and Judaism produced a doctrine claiming that

Jesus was merely an angelic being. Very concerned, Paul wrote this letter to combat these false teachings. Muslims today believe in Jesus but only as a human being. They believe that he is only a prophet of Allah who received the Injil (the gospels) from Allah. Although he did miracles and is even called the “Word of God” in the Qu’ran, Muslims deny his deity, incarnation, atonement, and resurrection. In contrast, Colossians praises Jesus as the supreme God, the Creator, the Savior, the One preeminent over all things!

Prayer: O Beloved Son of God, we praise you now for who you are, as God himself, the very image of the invisible God who has delivered us from the domain of darkness and into your kingdom of light! You created all things and rule over all things. We lift up the Muslims of the AP to you. Please open their eyes so that they can see your kingdom, redemption, fullness, and forgiveness. Grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth and free them from the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:25,26) so that they can bow down before you and worship you as the one who is the very fullness of God. Reconcile them to yourself. Make peace with them by the blood of your cross. Amen.

PTAP: The Church in Arabia - Leaders

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on February 28, 2021 at 12:24

February Prayer Campaign - Pray for the church in the AP

We are continuing to pray for the forming of indigenous churches in the Arabian Peninsula (AP) as a PTAP community in February.

Week 4 – Leaders of the AP Church

“But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:25-28

Praise the Lord that communities of local believers from a Muslim background (MBBs) are gathering together in the Arabian Peninsula and local churches are being birthed. As these new churches form, leaders are needed to serve, guide, direct, teach, preach and encourage.

Pray for God to raise up AP church leaders who have the heart of a servant, and a passion to love and care for His people. Pray that the groups of MBBs will be able to recognize and submit to the leaders God has chosen.

Pray for AP church leaders to be completely surrendered to God and the authority of His Word. Pray that these leaders would rightly divide the Word and be able to communicate it to their congregations.

Pray for AP church leaders to be discerning of the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Pray for AP church leaders to be people of biblical integrity: gentle, above reproach, self-controlled, honest, moral, trustworthy, not greedy, respectful, hardworking and teachable.

Pray for AP church leaders to have a deep understanding of the needs of the people they shepherd.

Pray for AP church leaders to have wisdom to help their congregations navigate through persecution, and to live vibrantly for Christ within the Muslim culture that surrounds them.

PTAP: Churches – Preparing for Persecution

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on February 21, 2021 at 7:59

February Prayer Campaign - Pray for the church in the AP

We are continuing to pray for the forming of indigenous churches in the Arabian Peninsula as a PTAP community in February.

Suffering is normal in our fallen world, and for Believers from a Muslim Background, (MBBs), much of the suffering they experience will be directly related to following Christ.

Matthew 10:36 is often a MBBs reality: “A person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” For many MBBs in the Arabian Peninsula, this is a daily occurrence; their family may beat them, lock them out, disown them or even kill them for following Christ. As the Body of Christ, let us shore up our MBB brothers and sisters in the Arabian Peninsula by praying for them to be well prepared for persecution when it arises.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” 2 Tim 2:12

“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” John 15:20

Pray for MBBs of the AP to understand that persecution is a normal part of following Christ and not a punishment for their sins or wrong choices.

Pray for MBBs to develop a clear understanding of their new identity in Christ. Walking closely with the Lord and having an awareness of living in His presence will carry them through the difficult times of persecution.

Pray for MBBs to know, understand and memorize God’s word. Often during persecution, a believer will not have access to the written word. Pray for MBBs to hide God’s word in their hearts so they can cling to truth during persecution.

Pray for MBBs to have a deep understanding of prayer. Pray for them to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” Eph. 6:18. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach them various types of prayers: listening, crying out, lamenting, praising, petitioning, and praying God’s word.

Pray for MBBs to be able to discern when to stay in situations of persecution and when to flee. (Mat. 10:23). Pray against any condemnation from themselves or others over their decisions.

Pray for MBBs to have wisdom and discernment in choosing their words and actions. Unwise words and actions can lead to unnecessary persecution, and an aptly spoken word can turn away the wrath of persecutors.

PTAP: Churches – Preparing for Persecution

Posted by Merton J. Hershberger on February 21, 2021 at 7:57