As the “30 Days” booklet for 2009 is being prepared, conflict in Gaza has broken out (January 2009). We do not know what the situation will be when you, our readers actually use the “30 Days” booklet in August and September 2009. But note, even through war and difficult circumstances, a number of Jews and Arabs have learned to respect and to love each other as disciples of Jesus. Here is a testimony from one Arab believer living in Israel / Palestine.

Testimony

“As a young Palestinian refugee I fled to Nazareth with my family during a time of war. Later we found that our home in Haifa was occupied by Jews during my family’s absence. As a child I found it difficult to understand how God could love some people and put others in the street. As the years passed I became an enemy of the Jewish people. Later after having acknowledged Jesus as my Messiah, I met an old Jewish man who asked for forgiveness for the things he had done personally. His step of seeking forgiveness touched me and since that time my love for the Jewish people has not ceased to grow.” When this former refugee was asked “Is it possible for a Jordanian or a Palestinian to love Israeli soldiers?” he responded: “For followers of the Messiah the word ‘love’ has a different meaning than for those who do not know the Lord. For us, the love of God comes through the cross of Christ.” He continued: “I have also visited Iraq. When I was there God filled my heart with love for the Iraqi Muslims. My heart was really grieved when I saw how the Iraqis and the Iranians had killed each other during the war from 1980-1988. I have also spoken of the profound love which God has given me for the Jewish people when Israeli soldiers were controlling my identity papers in Jerusalem.” He has found it possible to love Muslims and Jews.

Prayer Requests:

• There are several initiatives by Messianic Jews and Arab believers for prayer and reconciliation. The transformation which God brings is the greatest hope for lasting change in the Middle East. Pray for further breakthroughs in reconciliation and deepening love and respect among Jews and Arabs (1 John 4:12 and 19).
• Pray that the hope of true reconciliation through Christ would be better known in Israel and Palestine becoming an example for both Jews and Muslims. Jesus is rightly presented as someone who brings personal peace. He is also very interested in bringing peace between peoples (Matthew 5:9, Ephesians 2:14 and 2 Peter 3:13).

Special Prayer Section for the Thulukkan people of India

Recent political and economic reforms have sparked phenomenal growth in the Indian economy. However, in spite of its remarkable progress, India continues to suffer from high levels of poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, and environmental degradation.
More than 33 million people in southern India’s Kerala state speak Malayalam, one of the 22 languages recognized by the Indian Constitution. About 269,000 of them (just .023% of the total population of India) belong to a little-known people group called the Thulukkan. The primary religion of the Thulukkan people is Islam. Very little else is known about them. There are no known efforts to reach this people with the Gospel.

They are turning to Jesus

Seeking answers, Khalid asked people who were well informed about the Qur’an to get more understanding. But as a good Muslim, his heart did not find any rest. One day Khalid paid a visit to one of his childhood friends. In his friend’s home he found a book which he thought was a commentary on the Qur’an. However as he read the book his heart started to beat stronger and stronger because in the book he was finding the answers to many of his questions. That same night he had a dream in which he saw the words “I am the God that you are looking for, I am the truth”. The following night he had the same dream. The next day Khalid’s heart was very troubled so he went to see his friend and told him about the dreams. Then his friend explained that it was probably the God of the Bible who had revealed himself to him and he invited him to pray to that God.

Khalid was then secretly welcomed into an assembly of believers. This is not always the case. New believers from a Muslim background often have difficulties being accepted by local assemblies. Some groups of believers fear that they will suffer persecution if they help a Muslim background believer. Having been rejected by their own family, these new believers need to find new “brothers and sisters.” For more information see the web site: www.secretbelievers.org/

Prayer Starters:

• Pray for the secret believers who ask for help from local churches and do not find it, that they will continue to hope in Christ.
• Pray for the leaders of believing communities in Muslim countries. They are subject to varied and serious pressures.
• Pray for local assemblies – that they would be willing to take the risk of helping new believers and that their communities could become real sources of refuge for those who are discovering new life in Christ.

Testimony from West Africa

My name is Abdou. Like practically all people in my tribe in Togo I was raised as a Muslim. Having been given a basic understanding of the Qur’an, I was not very regular at normal prayer times at the mosque, however, I really loved God. Even at a very young age my lack of mosque attendance and my lack of rigor in keeping Islamic practices caused me to have problems with my father. However, at school I was a good student.

At age 19 I encountered my first real problems at school. My difficulties were apparently caused by hidden spiritual forces so as a good Muslim, I decided to seek help from God.

I even started reading some books about Jesus and I attended some Christian meetings with a friend in secret. When my father discovered this he forced me to leave home and relationships with my family deteriorated. My father disinherited me and told me not to come to his funeral. Happily some believers in the Messiah gave me help.

After several years of struggles and failure to receive my high school diploma, I finally succeeded and I was even able to enter university in 2007. Some believers have accepted me into their home. We live very simply and I continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus.

You should pray for Abdou and others like him in Togo.

Following-up radio listeners in the Middle East

Testimony: I am involved in Christian radio broadcasting to many Muslim countries. Sometimes the audience has the possibility to SMS, phone or write to ask for literature. However, mail packages containing Bibles are often stopped by the religious security authorities in various countries. Recently I phoned two people in remote areas of my country where I was not legally allowed to travel. I invited these two listeners to come to me instead so we wouldn’t be watched.

The meeting with the first person was very short. He was glad to have found me. He took a Bible, however, he was also very nervous and said goodbye almost immediately. We agreed that he will contact me again if he needs additional literature or has questions.

The second person came under the protection of darkness after a four hour bike ride. He spoke enthusiastically about the radio broadcasts. He said that he wanted to study the Christian faith deeply (and honestly it seemed to me), so I gave him not only a Bible and study materials, but also the Jesus Film and other Gospel films. We agreed to stay in touch. A few months after our initial meeting, I met again with the second man. He asked for more books written by believers and videos. I was able to give him these things plus testimonies of Muslims who had encountered the Messiah. Unfortunately we had no time for a personal conversation. Is he a believer or still a seeker? I was unable to find out … this time.

Prayer Starters:

• May the Holy Spirit guide during telephone conversations and meetings with interested radio listeners. Pray for divine rendezvous (Acts 8:26-31).
• Pray that interested listeners, despite the watchful eyes of authorities, can receive Bibles, DVDs and other helpful material.
• Pray with your family for the family members of seekers who could be opposed to listening to Gospel radio and receiving Bible materials.

In Memory of Sergi

Sergi became a follower of Jesus while in prison near Dushanbe, Tajikistan in 2002. Upon release from prison he raised up a small group of disciples in an area of Tajikistan with a population of 200,000 but no known believers. The local secret police threatened him and asked him to leave. Local Muslim leaders also threatened him and demanded that he leave. He stayed.

One evening in 2005 while worshiping with his wife and two other believers, armed men arrived and shot him through the window. While the other three lay on the floor and escaped unharmed, Sergi’s body was shot many times. Sergi died worshiping Jesus. He had been a follower of Jesus for three years.

The young men responsible for Sergi’s death were arrested and are now in prison where other believers proclaim and demonstrate the love of Jesus to them. Pray with the brothers in prison that these who were willing to kill for their religion will become followers of Jesus and learn to forgive and love their enemies.

Here are some testimonies how God indeed answers our prayers!

Angel meets Iranian

An Iranian women from Germany was met by an angel in a dream. After that she now wants to know more from the Christian faith and is in contact with a cell group from a church.

Berlin

In Berlin, Germany, a cell group with former Muslims (3-4 converts who came to Christ after the last Ramadan), during this Ramadan experienced members returning after a long absence, with a “new fire” for the Lord.

North Africa

From North Africa the first known person from the Saharawi people has recently converted to Christ.

Christian Radio to Muslims

In a letter just received from HCJB World Radio, in the last 12 months there has been increased response to gospel broadcasts, and reports of clear reception where reception was previously only fair. HCJB goes on to say that they have recently seen miraculous open doors with government permits, finances and missionary staff. In the Middle East there is an increased focus and enthusiasm for providing radio for Muslim countries.

Missionaries to Muslims

According to Frontiers, the numbers of missionaries to Muslims has now doubled. Just in the last few years the number of missionaries has increased from a mere 1,000 to over 2,000 missionaries among the 1.1 billion Muslims.

Moroccan Women finds real joy

In a letter received from Morocco, a Christian women writes; “My joy is so big that I have taken the decision to write to you to share it. I have received the gift that every Christian hopes to receive and that I have prayed for such a long time. It was before dawn on Friday during Ramadan and as I set about my usual Ramadan prayers I began to pray something unusual. I prayed, ‘O God, make of my spirit a reservoir of your ideas. Use my mouth and lips to announce your salvation. Use my feet to go where you want. Amen.’ As I had almost finished these words I felt an unexplainable feeling, a joy that I cannot describe. I gave thanks to God for almost two hours. I now know that I have found God and he has filled me in His Holy Spirit to a wonderful fullness. I now know that only He saves!” (translated from French)

From the Middle East

This was our first time to use 30-days while actually living in a Muslim country. We can view a couple of dozen mosques from our rooftop, and you can imagine the sound during prayer calls! I am often awakend by the predawn call to prayer at the mosque less than a hundred yards from our bedroom, but as I lay listening to the lonely and echoing sound in the early morning darkness, I was encouraged that Christians across the globe were praying to a God who not only hears their prayers, but answers them.

Muslims Tell … “Why I chose Jesus”

A second category of love is that which is demonstrated directly by God and evidenced in scripture. One Bengali man says he was “subdued by the revelation of God’s great love, his own sinfulness, and Christ’s great sacrifice for him.” A West African from Gambia explains simply that “God loves me just as I am.” He described his experience in Islam as “rigorous submission to God.” He sensed an inability to please God. Though he was stoned for his faith in Christ, he remains faithful to his new life in Christ.

The love of God is particularly poignant for Muslims who may have been suppressed by other Muslims. One Shi’a man was attracted by the truth that “God loves all people” and that he was personally loved and protected by God. Similarly, a West African was surprised by God’s love “for all people of all races, including enemies.” His experience in Islam convinced him that Arab Muslims are racist towards Black Africans. Sadly, he described Islam as a “tool used by Arabs to oppress non-Arabs.”

I have called you friends: relationship with God

For some 10 percent of Muslim-background believers, the particular attraction of a relationship with God was the strongest apparent factor in their conversion. The Algerian émigré mentioned earlier was taken by the fact that God could be a friend and a father. Similarly, a North African convert was drawn by the opportunity to have a direct relationship with God. What he felt he lacked in Islam was any proximity or nearness to God there was no possibility of walking together with God. In Christ, he stated that a very strong attraction was a direct relationship between the Lord and the people. In a sense, the veil of separation had been lifted.

An Egyptian believer stated two compelling reasons for his attraction to Christianity: being adopted as God’s son and the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. This reflects positively what one Indonesian states negatively about Islam: “God is universal and has no family. There was no way of knowing what God was like.”

North American evangelicalism has been criticized for its emphasis on the experiential, the personal. In light of the testimony of this cross-section of Muslim-background believers, the opportunity for access and relationship to God is not an appeal unique to North Americans. Instead, one lesson from this cross-section of fellow Christ-followers from a Muslim background may be the universal appeal of what has been called a Divine romance: Christ’s love for His Church and His desire to commune with those whom He has called His own.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake

Some refer to it as the eighth beatitude. Others consider it more simply the by-product of living out the preceding beatitudes. However you view it exegetically, in practice it is clear that those who are coming to faith from within the Muslim sphere are much more likely to be intimately acquainted with persecution than those from the Western world.

A West African believer was burned and stabbed by his own family. Though he was not killed, his family now considers him to be dead. Though the physical suffering is great, the psychological wounds that are inflicted on those who have been counted as dead may be underestimated. A North African man found it difficult to overstate how traumatic it was for him as he was rejected and beaten and left homeless. Sadly, the national church did not accept him either.

Muslims Tell … “Why I chose Jesus”

Dreams and Visions

For someone who has not had extended exposure to Muslim-background believers (MMB) in Christ, probably the most striking surprise is the powerful role that dreams and visions have played in drawing people to Jesus. Though dreams may play an insignificant role in the conversion decisions of most Westerners, over one-fourth of those surveyed state quite emphatically that dreams and visions were key in drawing them to Christ and sustaining them through difficult times. Rick Love, International Director of Frontiers, has recognized the pattern as well. He writes that, “Just as God used a vision to convert Paul, in like manner He reveals Himself to Muslims through dreams and visions. Just as God prepared Cornelius to hear the Gospel through a vision, so God is preparing a multitude of Muslims to respond to His good news.”

White Robes

One believer from Guinea recounts the dream of a figure whom he later believed to be Christ. The figure was in a white robe, calling the man to come to Him. In a related dream, he recalls that the same figure’s arms were extended, beckoning him. Dreams of this type have become recognized as a pattern of work among Muslims. Though there are variations, Christ appearing in a white robe is a recurring image among those who have had dreams and visions. Similarly, a Muslim Malay woman was drawn by a vision she had of her Christian parents who had died. She saw them rejoicing with others in heaven. Jesus, appearing in a white robe, said, “If you want to come to me, just come.” Feeling that she had tried her entire life to reach God without success, she now saw God initiating the effort to reach her through Jesus.

A convert from the Middle East who had been afflicted with severe headaches was lying on his bed after having prayed for his sick son. A man with a beautiful, peaceful face appeared. Dressed in white, the figure walked to the head of the man’s bed and touched him three times on the head. The next morning his headaches were gone. His son, too, was fully healed. Understandably, he now recounts with confidence, “I believe in prayer in the name of the Christ.”

Two Types of Dreams

The great majority of dreams seem to fall into one of two broad categories. The first could be considered the preparatory dream. Like Christ appearing in a white robe, the vision confirms thoughts or conversations one has been having about Christ or the Christian faith. The second could be called the empowering dream. Here the dream or vision commonly gives the believer strength in the face of persecution. Short of persecution, it may embolden believers, strengthening the nature of their witness.

Examples

One Sunni woman from the Arabian Peninsula had a figure appear to her in a dream, telling her to visit a Christian woman she knew. The figure, who she was later convinced was Christ, told her this woman would teach her.

Prior to his conversion, a Persian man had a vision. In it, he was falling in darkness over a cliff and was saved by a light holding onto his back.

In a fascinating twist on God’s use of dreams and sleep, one Algerian recounted how she heard her sleeping Muslim grandmother say, “Jesus is not dead. I want to tell you He is here.”

A West African man recounts a succinct, yet powerful vision he had prior to conversion. He saw a devout Muslim in hell and a poor Christian who couldn’t afford to give alms in heaven. A voice explained to him that the difference was belief in Jesus.

As a student, no one talked to me about Christ

Having grown up in a Muslim family in Africa I accepted, believed and participated in the Muslim faith. In my youth several of my family members died in a short period of time. One day I remember crying out to God, “I want to know you before it is my turn to die.” I did not know at that time that my prayer would be answered in a very unexpected way.

I was eventually awarded a scholarship to go to university in the USA. While completing my bachelors and masters degrees I was active in a fellowship of Muslim students at the university. I am sorry to say, that in all my time in the States as a student, no one ever talked to me about Christ. But, I know people were praying.

I took a job and settled into a new life in the States. One day, I returned to my apartment and sat down on the sofa. Suddenly, the room filled with light and I looked up to see a man in white, glowing like the sun, standing in front of me. He said, “You wanted to see and know your Creator, here I am.” The room was filled with His light and love. As I looked at Him, I begin to sense my own unworthiness and was filled with guilt. The man was holding something in His hand then I opened my mouth and he fed me. I felt light and love going down into my being. I knew I was in the room with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Creator.

As soon as He left the room, I was compelled to go to a grocery store in my neighborhood. I had no idea why, I just knew I was to go. Arriving there I stood in the fruit section. Soon, a large man walked up to me and said “Hello, I am a pastor of a church and I want to get to know you. Here is my card and I would like for you to join my family and I for a meal.” This was all part of God’s plan for me to meet Christians.

I have since returned to my country and my people. The vast majority of them do not know Christ. But, many are praying for their salvation. Many are witnessing to them on a daily basis and I know that Christ loves them just as He loves me.

From Thief to Giver

Ali (not his real name) was a man with a very hard heart. In the past he would ride trains and befriend people. When they fell asleep, he would steal their belongings, jump off the train and sell the things. He tried Islam but it did not change him. When his sister-in-law became a Christian he persecuted her. Later, however, he acknowledged Jesus as Lord and he is now one of the main leaders of the church! The transformation in his life has been nothing less than incredible! He is one of the most humble and loving men we know. This is especially seen in how he cares for his wife and daughters!

“I’ve been participating in the 30-days of prayer since 1994. I used to share a classroom with a Muslim man in Boston, Massachusetts. He “caught” me praying one day, using the booklet and so began many spiritual conversations. Curious, he began attending my church, and years later became a Christian and was baptized. I never thanked you or the 30-days family, but wow, it’s incredible how God has taught me over the years as a result of this prayer initiative.” Julie, Thailand

“I found the content fascinating, and learnt a lot. Please carry on the good work for next year. It was really valuable to focus on specific areas, cities, people etc, and I can’t think of anything you should stop!” Brian, UK

“As I started praying I realized that one of the reasons I’ve had trouble in my business is due to an issue with a Moslem VP in my company. I think God used the fact that I was praying to help me see this issue…” Elaine

“We (my wife is the Secondary Principal) teach at an MK school in Almaty, KZ. We used your material to pray as an entire Jr. HIgh/HS. Students fasted. We watched one of the testimony clips from 30 days in assembly. Great to focus on others and not just our own world. Great also to pray about something that is real to us – Islam.” Otto, USA

“On the last night of Ramadan, we handed out Gospels in the streets and people started fighting with each other in an attempt to get a copy for themselves. We were chased into shops by people asking for the Injil (Gospel). One Berber, gave his life to the Lord and now wants to get Baptised and go into the mountains to tell his people about Jesus!” Rabett, Middle East

“We are believers from Sarajevo, where during our regular prayer meetings God spoke to several brothers and sisters to organize fasting and prayer for Muslims during Ramazan. When God birthed that idea in us we didn’t know about your ‘30-Days’ activity, but now it seem quite obvious that God wanted to involve us in prayer offensive which is taking place all over the world.” Jok, Sarajevo

“I led an outreach team to a Muslim area and have learned first hand the power of prayer during Ramadan (met people there having dreams of Jesus). I appreciate this service you provide.” Bill, USA

“A Muslim family from Iran visited our home. This was the first time that we felt a peace about sharing our faith openly with them. As a Persian believer and friend of ours read and explained scripture from the Farsi Bible, we were able to feel the power of the Lord. We believe that seeds were sown that evening which will bear fruit at a later time.” George, United Arab Emirates

“I will be using the ‘30-Days’ prayer information in Russian to help churches which have members converted from Muslim backgrounds pray more effectively for the wider church in Muslim areas.” Mike, Russia

“During this time of prayer many received a vision to pray more globally.” Errol, Canada

“My Muslim teacher became very much interested in hearing about the righteousness that is found by faith in God’s promises after praying with you during this last Ramadan.” Missionary in Niger

Endorsements

The 30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World is a 10/40 Window project, endorsed — among others — by the Global Prayer Track formerly of the AD2000 & Beyond Movement, YWAM, OM, OD, Frontiers and most major missions organizations, the Evangelical Alliances of Europe, Transformations Africa and by major churches and ministries around the world.

Please promote 30-Days to your constituency!

Testimony of J. A. Subhan

- An Indian Sufi Muslim converted to Christ in the the last century.

The result of my first reading (of the Injil – the Gospel) was startling. In the first place I did not find a single sentence or a clause which in any sense could be interpreted as blasphemous or Satanic, and I had read it with a mind vigilant to detect any expression which implied any such notion directly or indirectly. Secondly, my common sense told me that if certain followers of a religion were to corrupt their sacred books or introduce interpolations into it, they must have an adequate reason or sufficient motive behind it. An enterprise as such, which is not only highly impious but also extremely presumptuous, would not and could not be undertaken by any class of people unless they were to derive some great advantage or benefit from it.

In the light of this principle I closely examined every passage of the gospel, and found none which would supply an adequate ground for such an act on the part of the Christians.

The second reading of the gospel produced in me the deep conviction that it was THE true “Injil.” It was God’s word and His Revelation. The inner urge to know God was to find satisfaction through it. The effect produced on the mind by its reading was so very different from that of the recitation of the Quran. The latter in its original language was something sublime, its recitation was charming, its eloquence fascinating, and sometimes its passages had thrown me into ecstasy, but in the “Injil” I found something which spoke to my soul. The gospel spoke to me in my own mother tongue, whispering to me the secrets of God. Its reading was comforting to my soul, every sentence touched it to its very depths, and it roused the slumbering faculties of my soul to a new state of consciousness.

She wept bitterly over her life

Very early in the morning, a restaurant employee used to say her ritual Muslim prayers before going to work, according to the rules of her religion. One morning she saw “person” in a vision during her prayer time who told her all of her sins. In the restaurant, she later told the chef, who was a Christian, about it. He said: “I would suppose that Jesus wanted to talk with you!” The next morning she prayed: “If the vision yesterday came from the devil, do not let it come again. But if it was from heaven, then let it be there again.” Then she had the vision again. For one and a half hours all the sins of her life were shown to her. She wept bitterly over her life, which was not correct before God. She then went to a church, confessed her sins, and heard the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection. She received forgiveness for her sins, was baptised and became a member of the church.

Persecution came quickly from his family and neighbours

Algeria

Algerian newspapers often have articles about the growth of Christianity in Algeria. Some take a neutral stance while others oppose Christianity very firmly.

Here is an example of how some young men became Christians through a newspaper article. It is the testimony from a young couple in Eastern Algeria, where there are many Christians:

Two young men from our city read about the new Algerian churches in Kabylia near the capital, Algiers. These young men decided to go to Kabylia to find out more about Christianity. After travelling all night by coach (bus) they finally arrived exhausted in the large city of Kabylia. The men asked a taxi driver for information about Christians in the city and he took them to a church. It was there that they had their first contact with the gospel. The leaders of the church made contact with us to help the young men get to know Christ better. After the men came back to our town we met with them. Following several encounters we eventually saw that the Holy Spirit was definitely at work in their lives. They came to Christ and a third person, one of their friends, soon joined them. Praise God!

Note: The discussion about the status of Christianity in Algeria has gone all the way to the National Assembly and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The latter affirmed that freedom of worship is assured for all Algerians according to the constitution. Even so, house groups and churches are under surveillance.

Boubacar

Boubacar came to know The Messiah Jesus several years ago. His walk with God has been both difficult and typical for the Songhai people of West Africa. Persecution came quickly from his family and neighbours. He was forced to move from his home, and many people in his village refused to give him work because he was a Christian. Many others who have faced the same situation have abandoned their faith and returned to Islam, but not Boubacar. He has stood firm for Jesus Christ. He recently baptised both his brother and his wife, and he soon hopes to see his children following Christ. He has become a bold witness and travels each week to several surrounding villages to proclaim the gospel to others.