30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World | www.30-days.net » mbb http://www.30-days.net What Christians should know about Islamic background, history and culture. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:11:00 +0000 en hourly 1 Muslims Tell … “Why I chose Jesus” – Introduction http://www.30-days.net/testimony/why-jesus/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/why-jesus/#comments Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:34:29 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/why-jesus/

Introduction

Over a period of ten years, an extensive questionnaire compiled at Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of World Mission was filled out by some 600 Muslim-background believers (or those who knew them well). The results provided here are drawn from a representative sample of 120 of those surveys. The respondents are drawn from 39 countries and over 50 ethnic groups. They provide a broad window into the hearts and minds of those who have turned from Islam to Christ.

A sure salvation

It is an issue that touches on a longing concern for much of humanity. The question of one’s eternal destiny haunts many who long for the hope of heaven and the sure knowledge that they have been saved from the penalty of their sins. The Qur’an states that salvation belongs to “those that believe and do deeds of righteousness, those are the inhabitants of Paradise, there they shall dwell forever.” (1) Yet it also states that God forgives whom He wills and chastises whom He wills.

In Indonesia

One Indonesian woman was taught in her Islamic family that the bridge to heaven was as thin as a piece of hair. This tradition is found in the canonical collection of the activities and sayings of Muhammad (the hadith). Even good deeds, she was taught, would not assure her of crossing safely into Paradise. This hair-thin bridge was difficult and dangerous to cross. For her, a key factor in coming to faith in Christ was the realization that she could not save herself. Only the blood of Christ could redeem her.

Confidence in Salvation

A West African woman wanted to know for certain at the point of her conversion that her sins had been forgiven and washed away. When a Persian émigré to the United States was asked if Christ had given him freedom from fear, he said, “Oh yes, I feel forgiven, I have the assurance of forgiveness.” For these and others, what they have found in Christ is an eternal, secure refuge. An Egyptian man stated more broadly and unequivocally that the main attraction of Christianity for a Muslim is the assurance of salvation. A Javanese man said simply, “After I received Jesus, I had confidence concerning the end of my life.”

Center Piece is Jesus

According to the survey the center piece for Muslims was always the same. They have (whether one by one or family by family) been drawn to the God-man Jesus Christ. And for their spiritual direction, they have found one book that stands out above all others: the Bible. And more than any other portion of scripture, these believers are attracted to the Sermon on the Mount. One Javanese man who read the whole Bible echoes the thoughts of many about the Sermon on the Mount, saying, “If the life of a Christian is like that, I wanted to become a Christian.”

Video: CBN News, Former Muslims Share Christ

Many former Muslims are now involved in efforts to share their faith with other Muslims.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/why-jesus/feed/ 61 Muslims Tell … “Why I chose Jesus” http://www.30-days.net/testimony/tell-6/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/tell-6/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:26:05 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/tell-6/

Persecution abounds

After his conversion, one Lebanese Muslim lost all of his teaching and professional privileges and eventually was murdered. Other professionals, who had grown accustomed to some degree of esteem, are set back by the disdain they experience as a result of choosing to follow Christ. “Traumatizing” was how an observer described one Arab North African’s experience of being arrested, interrogated and held by police for two days.

For those who have been subject to persecution on the basis of their ethnicity, the persecution for their new-found faith comes as less of a surprise and actually serves to confirm their decision to leave their former faith. The North African who found Christians to be the only non-racist people he knew was intimately acquainted with severe persecution. His brother and several close friends have been murdered.

A West African man had his house burned and he was chased by people who were attempting to kill him and his family.

A fisherman from the Philippines expressed an increase in persecution, with people stealing his boat, cutting his nets and tormenting his children. Yet, an observer notes, “he is not shaken.”

Steadfast in the face of adversary

This steadfastness in the face of persecution illustrates, at least in part, the role that persecution has played. If it does not actually spur numerical growth, it certainly seems to spur the growth of the soul, creating, so to speak, bigger Christians as a result of difficult, even horrendous treatment by the majority Muslim community. In the face of persecution, the comfort of scripture has provided profound help in time of need. One Javanese brother found courage to face persecution in Matthew 5:11: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” The teaching of Christ reoriented his perspective and he began instead to consider it a blessing. He noted that it was the exposition of Matthew 5:11 at a church service that was instrumental in his coming to Christ.

An Egyptian believer received similar comfort from scripture when he was being spit on and suffering death threats. The taunters told his younger brother he was an infidel. Yet, when he read the Gospels, he felt the love of God, sensing the presence of Jesus. A contrast to the Qur’an, he found the Gospels powerful and satisfying.

God is at work

In this relatively brief look at what God is doing in a very large cross-section of humanity, we see His heart being conveyed in dramatic ways. Christ’s hand is extended to Muslims in a way no less sincere than His hand has been extended to you. We don’t appreciate being known for our worst manifestations. Muslims, too, ought to be given the benefit of the doubt. Many are seeking to follow God as best they understand Him. Sincerity may not be the measuring rod for truth, but sincerity of heart is a critical foundation for a life of saving faith in Christ.

Dreams and visions may have been used by God in part because there is a dearth of flesh-and-blood witnesses for Christ willing to articulate and demonstrate the power of the Gospel in person. If nothing else, the preceding testimonies of these witnesses for Christ show that God is at work. Apparently, when Muslims do have an opportunity to see the love of Christ revealed in all its fullness, they are finding a life with Christ quite compelling. After all, grace does have an irresistible quality to it.

Source: BUND EVANGELIKALER GEMEINDEN IN OESTERREICH (BEG+OE)
Fellowship of Evangelical Churches in Austria / Missions Department

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/tell-6/feed/ 1 The Power of the Word http://www.30-days.net/testimony/word/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/word/#comments Sun, 26 Jun 2011 12:33:18 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/word/

Muslims Tell … “Why I chose Jesus”

While Christ is the clear center piece of the new-found faith of all Muslim converts, in some respects the person of Jesus can be recognized as the particular cause and most persuasive attraction. Simply put, Christ’s character is frequently seen by the Muslim as overwhelmingly attractive.

A Pakistani immigrant to the United States was particularly attracted by Christ’s refusal to retaliate when maltreated. This man notes that “he bore it, he never retaliated.”

Even though almost all Muslims believe that Christ was not crucified, the Qur’an certainly accepts His opponents’ intention to kill Him and His willingness to die thus.

So the report of a Persian who says he was attracted to Christ before he was attracted to Christianity is not an anomaly for Muslims. Christ is revered in Islam. There are a number of passages whose meaning is disputed, but Christ is, at minimum, seen as a prophet.

A West African man was drawn by the humility of Christ and the revelation that Christ was not tainted by sin. Though it often goes unmentioned, Christ is portrayed in the Qur’an as being without fault. Muhammad, in contrast, is told to ask forgiveness for his sins. When asked what particular teachings of Christianity attracted him, an Egyptian man stated simply, “the crucified Messiah.”

A holy book: the power of the Bible

The Torah, the Psalms (Zabur) and the Gospel (commonly understood as the New Testament) are all revered by Muslims as holy books. Though many are unfamiliar with the content of scripture, they find it quite compelling once they begin to read. For one Lebanese Muslim, Christ’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount was most instrumental at the point of his conversion.

A North African believer was touched by Christ’s love for the poor, the downtrodden, the outcast. Another man was attracted by these qualities in Christ’s followers. He saw Christians as the only people who care deeply about justice for the poor and oppressed.

Then you will know the truth.

Others have finally found in the Bible a truth that they found to be plausible. In searching the Bible, one Pakistani believer found answers to many questions that had concerned him. After his appreciation for the Bible grew, he felt he had been deceived by those who taught him that the Bible had been corrupted.

A North African found in the Bible teaching that was plausibly the truth, and it satisfied him intellectually. An Egyptian who came to faith in Christ found that the Bible helped him see the true character of God. He had growing doubt about the Qur’an, but the Bible, he said, was “powerful and satisfying.”

Similarly, an Iranian says, “The Bible makes sense, it is reasonable and logical; it is relevant and not culture-bound.”

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/word/feed/ 2 Encounters with Jesus http://www.30-days.net/testimony/encounters/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/encounters/#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:30:05 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/encounters/

Muslims Tell … “Why I chose Jesus”

Empowering Dreams

A North African believer found the needed strength to face his imprisonment from a dream he had while imprisoned for his faith. In it, he saw thousands of believers pouring through the streets of his city, openly proclaiming their faith in his restricted country. While in prison, he was tortured, suspended upside-down naked for hours, beaten with electrified rods and repeatedly threatened with execution. His vision of a day when people of his country would openly proclaim their faith in the streets gave him great strength to persevere through this most difficult time.

Encounter

Though not strictly a dream or a vision, a number of Muslim-background believers have had a significant supernatural encounter that was instrumental in drawing them to Jesus. One Egyptian Muslim was reading the Injil (Gospel), when he came to Luke 3, where the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove. God said, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.” As he read those words, a stormy wind broke into his room. A voice spoke to him saying, “I am Jesus Christ, whom you hate. I am the Lord whom you are looking for.” He recalls that he “wept and wept, accepting Jesus from that time.”

Whatever personal perspective one has on dreams and visions and the Christian walk of faith, it is difficult to consider engaging in ministry to Muslims without a recognition of and an openness for God to continue drawing people to Himself through what may be viewed as unconventional means.

The greatest of these is love

By far, the reason found most compelling for the greatest number of Muslims who have turned to Christ is the power of love. Like Paul, many a believer from a Muslim background has found that “the greatest of these is love.” Nearly half of all Muslims who have made a shift of faith allegiance have affirmed that the love of God was a critical key in their decision.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Love’s attraction could be simplified into two subcategories. The first is love by example. One Jordanian believer attributes his conversion to “the unconditional love and the aura of peace and contentment” that he saw in his Christian friend. An Arab émigré to France, describing the friendliness of her Christian acquaintances, says they “radiated the beauty of Christ.” These friends, who had emigrated before her and given their lives to Christ prior to her arrival, prayed that God would answer her prayers for a job. She says she has been amazed at how “the Lord has continued to answer prayers.”

This young Sunni Muslim woman saw a kindness and experienced an intimacy with her believing friends that made her believe that God, too, could be her friend and give her eternal life. Admittedly, it is difficult to separate the example of love demonstrated by believers and the witness of scripture, testifying of a God of love.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/encounters/feed/ 7 Testimony from India http://www.30-days.net/testimony/subhan-testimony/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/subhan-testimony/#comments Sat, 07 May 2011 12:20:55 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/subhan-testimony/

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.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/subhan-testimony/feed/ 0 Testimony from Africa http://www.30-days.net/testimony/algeria-testimony/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/algeria-testimony/#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 12:19:46 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/algeria-testimony/ 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.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/algeria-testimony/feed/ 4 Testimony from Yemen http://www.30-days.net/testimony/yemen-testimony/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/yemen-testimony/#comments Thu, 05 May 2011 12:17:41 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/yemen-testimony/

My husband returned from the Emirates a changed man!

It was like being on honeymoon again. He would only say nice things to me; in the morning he would go to the kitchen to make coffee and breakfast. He had never entered a kitchen before, because it’s a "shame" in our country for a man to enter the kitchen.

He even served his relatives when they visited, and had me sit with them. When we told him that his life had changed he replied: “Why shouldn’t God change me?” His new behaviour even made me scared and worried: maybe he had taken a second wife, and now was being nice to me to cover his guilt.

My husband left me a Bible and other Christian literature and cassettes when he left. and he encouraged me to discover Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures. The drastic change in my husband’s life created in me a deep desire to read the Bible. At the end of Ramadan I was still praying and fasting the Muslim way. Then I started to have dreams.

In the last dream I had, I saw Jesus on the sea, standing on the water. He was calling me: "Come to me!" I answered, "I don’t know how to swim." He told me: "Do not be afraid. Those I am calling to come will never drown." Slowly I started walking towards Him. I was walking on the water, but not sinking. I continued to walk until I arrived where He was standing.

My husband and I were excited about these dreams, and were comforted. Those who earnestly seek the Lord will find Him. "Ask and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you" (Matt 7:7). I surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus. Praise be to His name for showing me the path of Life.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/yemen-testimony/feed/ 2 Testimonies from our Mail Box http://www.30-days.net/testimony/in-box/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/in-box/#comments Wed, 04 May 2011 12:36:20 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/in-box/ Testimonies of why and how Muslim-background believers came to Christ.

“The last day of ministry we saw a village chief pray with us and ask many questions. These were ALL Muslims. I pray that the follow up and Discipleship will continue.”

“I am encouraged by testimonies of Muslims coming to Christ. Only God knows all the answers of prayers sent to Him out of this 30 days.”

“I was so happy for your teaching. I returned home (country name withheld) to built relationships between friends and neighbours, talking to them about Christ. Some listened intently, others did not. But I found a great thirst in my people to hear the truth… ”

“I am discipling an Arabic woman who came to Jesus 2 weeks ago. She was a devout Muslim. This has been a long process for her and she has given up everything that is familiar to her so that she can know Jesus…”

“I appreciate greatly all the work that has gone into 30-Days & it’s gentle loving approach it encourages towards Muslims which is the Christian way.”

“Thank you so much for providing the 30-days of Prayer on line. This year, the Lord prompted me to open my house for prayer on the “Night of Power”, on the 27th night of Ramadan. We could sense the strength and impact of our prayers…”

“I fasted the 30 days. I told my Muslim friends that I was praying for them and were sooo shocked that a Christian would fast with them. I thought that I had a new idea to pray that He would reveal Himself to my friends via dream/vision. Then I found your website, ordered your book and read the wonderful stories of people coming to Jesus via dreams / visions. I was sooo excited once again!!!!”

“I have been praying with you for 3-4 years now… I plan to go to Zanzibar next year … I think you featuring Zanzibar (DAY 20 of last year’s prayer booklet) has a LOT to do with my decision…”

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/in-box/feed/ 3 Testimony from Asia http://www.30-days.net/testimony/asia-testimony/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/asia-testimony/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:23:55 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/asia-testimony/

Helen never smiled. Now she radiates with His joy!

Helen is a cleaning lady at a factory. She comes from a very poor village where she lives with her husband and two children in a small mud-walled house. Prior to knowing God’s love, Helen never smiled. Now she radiates with His joy! She understands that God sent us to tell her about His love so she in turn now tells everyone about Him. Recently we started a church in her village. As we sat around looking at the 20+ people in the room, we marveled that most had come to the Lord through this uneducated, barely literate woman. Truly “God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the strong…”

From Emptiness to Fullness in Christ

A young man realizes following Christ will change his life!

“One day in my bed I started to pray to Allah as I did regularly. Emptiness and silence surrounded me more than normal. I was not able to find the inner peace that I so desired at that time. Suddenly as if I had been pushed by an invisible power I cried out, ‘God whoever you are reveal yourself to me!’ It was at that moment that the name of Jesus came continually into my thoughts and filled my whole being. The presence of Jesus was very clear and strong in the room. I found myself saying, ‘Is it you Jesus?’ while my whole body trembled. I continued by saying. ‘If it is you, Jesus, I surrender to you.’ The feeling that invaded me was beyond description. I knew at that moment that Jesus was really from another world, God’s world. But I tried to resist and started to say ‘No, no, no!’ I realised that my whole life was going to be changed. However, I was not able to flee the presence of Jesus. His presence was in the room!”

Despite Opposition, happy to serve

A lady willing to pay the price

“I understood that Jesus was the only one who could save me perfectly and give me eternal life. I wanted to witness to my family concerning the Lord but I immediately met opposition from my mother. After many difficulties with my family I was eventually able to share my experience with all my brothers and sisters. Many years have passed and I am still happy to serve the Lord.”

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/testimony/asia-testimony/feed/ 3 Testimonies from Europe http://www.30-days.net/testimony/testimonies-from-europe/ http://www.30-days.net/testimony/testimonies-from-europe/#comments Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:38:55 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/reveal/?p=168 A video testimony from a former Muslim women who choose to follow Jesus in Cyprus.

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