Project Prayer: Ramadan 2016 - Day 16
Day 16: Sharing the Gospel, part 3 — Persevering in prayer
By Jordan Rowley, spiritual coordinator, Climbing For Christ
Praying for a Muslim woman in Indonesia.
Although we covered a handful of basic similarities between Islam and Christianity on Day 11 of Project Prayer: Ramadan 2016, there are many more considerable differences that can seem almost insurmountable. These obstacles can seem like mighty mountains making it nearly impossible for a follower of Islam to become a follower of Jesus. But, our Lord has some interesting things to say concerning His ability to move mountains, doesn’t He?
Tawhid vs. Trinity
One example of a doctrinal blockade between Islamic and Christian beliefs is the Muslim concept of “tawhid.” This belief refers to the oneness of Allah and his transcendence over all things as the indivisible Deity. He is totally and completely singular in every sense. His absolute unity is never to be shared. In fact, doing so is one of the most grievous sins in Islam known as “shirk,” which comes from Arabic meaning “to share.” In other words, Allah is will not grant his divinity to any partner.
To the Christian, however, there is one God manifested in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Spirit. This poses an obvious difficulty in presenting the Triune God of Christianity. Even more so, it raises a huge barrier to a Muslim coming to Christ. To acknowledge Jesus as the divine Son of God is not only apostasy – which carries its own consequences – it is shirk. It is a sin that is unforgivable unless repented of before death.
The importance of intercession
Perhaps there are Muslims in your family, at your workplace or living in your neighborhood. Perhaps you’ve even tried to share the Gospel with them (or at least wanted to). That’s great! But have you prayed for them?
Perhaps you’ve reached out to the Muslims of the world by going on a mission trip (or at least wanted to). Praise the Lord! But have you prayed for them?
Prayer is critical! It should not take the place of action, but it should take the priority. After all, our God alone can move the mountains of the mind. Only He can part the waters of the soul. Only He can loose the bondage and baggage of a heart that has been deceived for years. Only His Word is able to pierce the spirit. Only He can sovereignly orchestrate the circumstances of a life. Only He knows what’s needed for one to confess Jesus as Lord.
God grants us the opportunity and responsibility of praying for the lost. If not you and I, today, who will pray for those who follow Islam to turn to the Savior?!
Here are a handful of pointers to remember while praying for the Muslim world:
- Our prayer should be passionate and personal. This is life and death we’re dealing with. The eternal destination of multiplied millions of souls is on the line. As we approach the Lord on behalf of those following the religion of Islam, our hearts must be engaged. Just imagine you were praying for the salvation of a family member – your own child perhaps. I believe this is how God would have us intercede – passionately and personally.
- Our prayer should be patient and persistent. Chances are, your friend or family member, or the strangers you’re praying for a world away, have known Islam their entire life. Their family history and roots are deep. It’s what they’ve known their whole lives. Changing a heart takes time. Thank God for how patient He was (and is) with us. God loved us while we were yet sinners. He patiently waited for us and persistently pursued us. Our prayers for Muslims should be the same – patient and persistent.
Take a moment now in prayer. Allow the Holy Spirit to direct your petitions as you intercede for the Muslim world!
The series
- Day 1: Introduction to 30 days of prayer and preparation to preach the Good News to the Muslim world.
- Day 2: Understanding Islam, part 1 —Allah and his prophet.
- Day 3: The honor/shame culture, part 1.
- Day 4: Sharing the Gospel, part 1 — Truth and love, no compromise.
- Day 5: The Muslim unengaged.
- Day 6: What’s so radical about loving Muslims?
- Day 7: Entering rooms in the House of Islam —Pakistan.
- Day 8: Entering rooms in the House of Islam — Nigeria.
- Day 9: Entering rooms in the House of Islam — Turkey.
- Day 10: Understanding Islam, part 2.
- Day 11: Sharing the Gospel, part 2 — Simply Jesus.
- Day 12: Overcoming obstacles, part 1 — Family, fear, community and tradition.
- Day 13: Something is happening! New ways for new movements.
- Day 14: Entering rooms in the House of Islam – East Africa.
- Day 15: Understanding Islam, part 3 — Beliefs and duties
- Day 16: Sharing the Gospel, part 3 — Persevering in prayer.
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