God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
(Acts 17:31)
In the summer of 2010 the whole world had its eyes directed toward New York City in the USA. A new mosque was being proposed just two blocks away from the “September 11th Ground Zero” site in lower Manhattan.
Surprises
Suddenly the entire planet knew that there were Muslims in New York City. Most Americans also discovered to their surprise that there are possibly 600,000 Muslims in New York City as well as over 100 mosques. In 1970 there were fewer than ten mosques. One mosque, located four blocks from “Ground Zero,” even lost several of its members in the famous terrorist attack in 2001.
The Call
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Map of the USA
No matter what people may think and feel about Muslims building a mosque near the “Ground Zero” site, we as believers are all called to pray for the accomplishing of God’s purposes among the Muslims of the city of New York. He is certainly calling many Muslims into His eternal Kingdom. Jesus’ blood was shed for them. Let’s pray for Muslims in the New York City area.
Prayer Starters:
- Search your own heart concerning September 11th. Has the event made you bitter, prejudiced and angry toward Muslims in general because of this attack? (Hebrews 12:15)
- Pray for the families who have lost loved ones in the September 11th attacks. Pray that they will be able to make peace with the past and be ready to move forward with the rest of their lives, leaving any bitterness behind. God is the only one who can bring help to the families who suffered these losses.
- Pray for members of the Muslim community in New York that have suffered prejudice and abuse simply for being Muslims as a result of the attacks.
- Remember that there is a spiritual battle in the heavens for the salvation of the many Muslims in the city who are still very much in the hands of the enemy. They need deliverance from the guilt and shame of sin, from the power of death and from fear of the evil one. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Proclaim Hebrews 2:14 over the city.
- Pray for Muslims in the New York area to discover the truth about the Messiah, Jesus through friendships with believers, through supernatural intervention, and traditional radio, television, internet, books, tracts, DVDs and the Bible.
- Many new workers are needed. Believers from all New York are needed to proclaim the Good News in the Muslim community.
Listen to the Podcast – DAY 07 – Muslims in New York City
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Video: Rally Against Ground Zero Mosque (6:43)
(NOTE: We at “30-Days” do not take sides on this issue but embed the following video we feel helps explain the need for prayer, especially for non-Americans.)
Great reminder of Christ’s instruction to forgive and extend grace. He created us all.
I like the praying attitude…to accomplish God’s purpose…thanks for the reminder.
Not sure why you included the video clip of the protest against the “Ground Zero Mosque” without further comment or interpretation. Posting it there seems to indicate support for the thoughts expressed in that video. But much if not most of what is expressed there also seems to reflect the bitterness, prejudice and anger that you warn against in the first of the “Prayer Starters” (not to mention the inconsistency of talking about freedom while apparently opposing it!).
Help?
About this “Groun Zero Mosque” video. I saw it as a good reminder for my heart, not to let any hate, anger or bitternes to dwell there. If we let this “patriotism” take controll of ourselves, is there any more room for Jesus and His Kingdom. This video did open my eyes, to see the muslims as individual persons who were created by God and needs salvation in jesus. Are we willing to “die” for them to tell them and wittnes about Jesus.
@ Tim, haha I was thinking the same thing when that lady was talking about “the constitution” She said one thing and then said the opposite.
I did not watch the video, simply because I do not know the position of this website on the issue. I do not wish to be disappointed with this project if this site ends up supporting the nonsense that those who are against the GZ Mosque are “racists”, “Islampophobes” and all the rest.
So my comments here are on the rest of the article:
While I agree with praying for Muslims, the constant harping on “bitterness” in this article is disappointing.
Those who are concerned about and speak openly about the teachings of Islam and the behavior of some of its followers are not doing so out of bitterness.
We need to pray AND speak out against the oppression and violence taught in Islam. It doesn’t need to be one or the other.
@Mo I am a Muslim and I was Christian (I considered myself a somewhat good Christian, but I was dating somebody). Please, with the utmost respect that you deserve, Islam DOES not teach violence and oppression. I am a student of Architecture and I have a job. I wear a headscarf. I dont feel oppressed whatsoever. Please I invite you guys to read more about History and how Islam came to reform those traditions that still dwelling, unfortunately. The Word of God is perfect, but human beings arent. I also invite you guys to learn Koine Hebrew. It will allow you guys to read the Bible from its original language, not mere translations. One question, despite the fact that (according to you) Islam teaches oppression and violence, why is it that Islam is the fastest growing religion? Give me a concrete answer. May God bless you.
I don’t know what you mean by “was Christian”, but it’s certainly not what the Bible means when it refers to followers of Jesus. But that is a minor point.
Do not speak to me like I am ignorant of your “religion”. I have read the Koran. I know what it teaches. Islam was started by Muhammad who was a child rapist. Here it is, from your own texts. Refute it:
Bukhari vol. 7, #65:
“Narrated Aisha that the prophet wrote the marriage contract with her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: “I have been informed that Aisha remained with the prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death).”"
Violent verses from Koran:
Quran (2:191-193) – “And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution [of Muslims] is worse than slaughter [of non-believers]… but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah.”
Quran (2:244) – “Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things.”
Quran (9:5) – “So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them.”
***
I could go on and on and on. Please address the texts I have given, especially the one about Aisha.
I added a note about the video | Admin
I think that we should not forget that even Jesus displayed anger (without sinning) and there are many times the Bible talks about the Lord being angry with people. Can we, as followers of Jesus, be angry that an anti-Christ religion is gaining a foothold in the United States of America? I believe so. Those of us who know what Islam teaches understand how destructive it is- we simply can not be indifferent to it coming into the nation that we still pray will return to a Biblical foundation.
Let’s not say it is wrong to be angry about Islam, but let’s keep that anger in check with the Word. Love the people (flesh and blood) yet be angry only with the evil spirit that has a hold of them. See the men, women and children of Islam as captives and pray for their eternal freedom. Recognize that they are completely deceived and most no nothing but this deception. Therefore, pray for revelation of the Truth. Jesus gave everything out of His immense love for these lost people and that truth should spur us on to do all that He shows us to pray and do in order to see Muslims receive LIFE. There is much anger in Islam. Christians must show love as Jesus did- they will know us by our love. Anger, righteous anger, needs to be directed at the darkness, during intercession – rather than being denied.
Blessings.
Excellently stated!
How can Islam be the Anti-Christ when we follow Jesus character as well? Islam is the religion of Compassion and Mercy. What better religion than this? It teaches us what and how to eat, what things to say, how to talk, how to behave, to protect our family members, to study, to work, to be a good brother/sister, how to worship God, what clothes to wear, how to fight our enemy (Shaytan). This is a very easy religion and the last one. The Qu’ran is the confirmation of the Word of God. Simple!!! I am free AD.
The Muslim version of Jesus is nothing like the Jesus portrayed in the Bible.
Address the verses and the information about Aisha in my other post.
this is a very moving article. i never thought of the “ground zero mosque contraversy” like this. i will certianly pray for muslims in New York City!
I don’ t think it was a good idea to post this video. It was not the best choice.