Worldwide, perhaps the greatest challenge today to Christianity is that of Islam. Some of the challenges are violent, as in the case of Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban. Other challenges are more subtle, through education and legal systems. Islam rivals Christianity in its evangelistic fervor, if not in its motivations.
The month-long Muslim celebration of Ramadan (June 18 - July 17 this year) is a great time to join in concerted prayer for the Muslim world. Ramadan is the spiritual high point of the Muslim calendar, much as the season of Lent culminating in Easter is the high point of the Christian calendar. During Ramadan, Muslims observe daily fasting and prayer times, both as spiritual disciplines and as a means to seek favor with Allah.
Christians respond to Islam in many ways. Some see it as a threat, some as a false religion, some as a source of persecution and violence. But Muslims - like everyone else - are simply people in need of the Gospel. And while stories of Muslim conversions to Christianity are not the stuff of news headlines, they are happening every day. Throughout the Islamic world, God is revealing himself and changing hearts and minds. And God invites his people to join him in this work through prayer.
Pray for Muslims during Ramadan
Though Ramadan is already well underway, it's not too late to join believers around the world in praying for the Islamic world during Ramadan. Check out www.pray30days.org for a good general overview of Ramadan and for daily prayer subjects to pray during Ramadan.
As you pray, consider the following:
- Though Islam views Christianity as an inferior religion and in places persecutes believers violently, Jesus calls his followers to respond not with violence, but with prayer. Changing the hearts of persecutors is not new for God. One of the biggest persecutors of Christians in the first century - Paul - became the greatest missionary in history. God can do the same today as we pray.
- Though governments set themselves up against Christianity by declaring shari'a law and supporting persecution of Christians, ultimately their leaders are in God's hands. God confronted world leaders like Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, who ended up recognizing his sovereignty. He can do the same today in answer to prayer.
- Muslims who convert to Christianity face severe pressure and persecution from all sides, including family. Pray for the conversion of entire families, as happened with the jailer in Philippi.
Ultimately, the "battle" between Christianity and Islam is not a battle over laws, governments, and extremist groups. It's a battle for the hearts of men, women, and children. Pray that our Good Shepherd will find many of these lost sheep and bring them home!
PrayNetwork.org feature by Andrew Wheeler.
See Andrew's website at www.togetherinprayer.net
Comments
A new discussion is being added to Marsha Mundy's "Prayer for the World" group to pray through the 30-day prayer guide for the world of Islam from June 6 through July 5. Please join in!
Check out my blogs beginning with PTAP for more information on how to Pray Through the Arabian Peninsula. God is at work. He is calling all to pray for His kingdom to come and for more to be raised up as laborers for His name's sake.
Thanks you, Andrew, for starting this new series: PrayNetwork"Spotlight ... eager to see many more!