Why pray for Muslims?
Common and yet different values and beliefs
Believers in the Messiah, Jesus, have many beliefs and values in common with Muslims, not only concerning faith-related issues but also moral values. People from both faith communities agree that our world has become a dangerous place. Believers in Jesus and Muslims can both be in agreement concerning the following text in 2 Timothy 3:2-5:
“… Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Common Values
Believers in the Messiah and Muslims share similar common values for daily living: faithfulness (to God and in relationships), honesty, compassion, honour, humility, chastity, self-sacrifice, mercy and love.
Same God?
Muslims and Christians believe that there is one God, but are we worshiping the same God in word and deed? One might also ask: In a time when many people think that all roads and all religions lead to the one true God, why should one pray for Muslims to come to salvation? Does it make any difference? Are they not already accepted by God?
Certainly Muslims are loved by God. Without doing anything they are loved by Him. God counts Muslim children and adults as precious. He loves every aspect of their languages, food, attitudes and daily life which are truly good and right. However, this does not mean that Muslims have entered into eternal life or have had their sins forgiven.
Let us pray for Muslims so they
can enter into the Messiah’s
eternal kingdom.
Muslims are not inspired by the hope of a new world in which Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah, reigns as King. Most Muslims have actually been trained not to believe that Jesus died and rose again. In general they know little of His forgiveness. They believe that Jesus was a prophet sent from God but they generally never think of Him as God’s appointed King who reigns over the nations (Mt 28:18-20). It is precisely “believing the Gospel of the Kingdom” which is a problem. Like all people everywhere and in all cultures, Muslims are called to turn from evil and believe the Gospel of the Kingdom. Most Muslims around the world have not even had an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus’ death for sins and His resurrection, which liberates us from the power of sin, death and demonic bondage.
For various reasons which will be discussed later in this prayer guide, Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Believers in the Messiah are always rejoicing that “God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).
Jesus has come so that we can have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). Therefore let us pray for Muslims so they can enter into that life in the Messiah’s eternal kingdom.
I’m very excited with what God will do when we stand in the gap for the Muslim people.
I prayed throughout Ramadan using your booklet for the first time last year, 5 times a day with my Muslim friend Hameed. My prayer was Hameed would give his life to Jesus before Ramadan 2009. On 26 July he gave his life to the Lord! I am speechless with gratitude over what the Lord has done. I will be praying for his family and other Muslim friends this year!
I am encouraged and will ask one of my Muslim friends if I can join in praying with her throughout the 30 days, and I also pray that through that God will do a mighty work in her life.
Absolutely! If the Christian world would make a greater imoact on the world of islam, it has to begin with all us Christians getting on our knees in concerted and involved intercession for all the muslims around us.
Begin with those in our immediate vicinity! Be sustained and consistent, And then see the Lord work!
Try it, the best of breakthroughs among the muslims turning to Christ is yet to come!
J-M.