Prayer for the Muslim World - Closing

9. Be Loving toward All

The world’s Muslims are our neighbors, as Jesus used the term (Luke 10:29-37). The command of God to his people stands for all time: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18; Luke 10:27b). Both peacemakers and those who love their enemies are described as "sons [or daughters] of God" (Matt 5:9, 44; Luke 6:35). They are called children of God because they are acting like their Father: the God of Peace (Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23). Responding to enemies with self-giving, sacrificial love demonstrates the gospel (Rom 5:10; cf. Col 1:21).

The Conclusion of the Grace and Truth Affirmation

We have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18, 19). The commission to "make disciples of all nations" has not been rescinded. Neither have the commands to demonstrate sacrificial love and to work toward peace. There is no separate gospel for wartime and peacetime. The message of God’s love in Christ is for all times, places and peoples. We affirm the nine biblical guidelines presented here for all followers of Christ, that we may remain faithful to him and become more fruitful in our relationships with Muslims.

We have prayed through the nine points. May God continue to help us to develop good attitudes toward Muslims.

© 2010 by 30 Days International

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 8

The term "ignorant" is frequently used in a derogatory manner; as a synonym for stupid, or incapable of learning.  In reality, ignorant simply means having a lack of knowledge, information, or education.  

It is probably safe to say that most Christians are ignorant about Islam.  But that does not mean that we are incapable of learning.  A powerful means of showing respect to other people involves learning about them, seeking to understand more fully what the world looks like from their vantage point.  While a lecture, newspaper articles or a good internet search (of reliable sources) can be of assistance, nothing replaces first hand interaction with those about whom we want to learn.  Face to face conversation.  A healthy exploration and exchange of ideas.  Let us pray for such opportunities to learn.


8. Be Peaceable and ... Uncompromising in our Dialogue

Dialogue between Muslims and Christians provides us with opportunities to understand Muslims, build relationships, engage in peacemaking and share our faith. We seek to share the gospel respectfully and boldly, without compromise – as Paul "reasoned with" people (dialegomai - Acts 17:2, 17).

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 7

Word of the day:  re·spect (ri spekt′)

transitive verb 

     1. to feel or show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard

     2. to consider or treat with deference or dutiful regard

     3. to show consideration for; avoid intruding upon or interfering with:  
          to respect others' privacy

noun

     1. esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person,  
         a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a  
         manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect 
         for her judgment.

     2. deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or

         something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper

         acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect's  
         right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the 
         elderly.

7. Be Persistent in our Call for Religious Freedom

We affirm the right of religious freedom for every person and community. We defend the right of Muslims to express their faith respectfully among Christians and of Christians to express their faith respectfully among Muslims. Moreover, we affirm the right of Muslims and Christians alike to change religious beliefs, practices and/or affiliations according to their conscience (2 Cor 4:2). Thus we stand against all forms of religious persecution toward Muslims, Christians, or anyone else.

Prayer for Muslim World - Part 6

Today's guideline is particularly relevant because of the news story this week about the church in Florida that is planning to burn the Quran on September 11th.  The plans of one tiny church in one corner of the planet are now reverberating around the world.  In the facebook and twitter world we now inhabit, our words and conduct as Christians are particularly critical. 

As I drove into work today, the words of a song on the radio caught my attention.  They were:

I will live to carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be your hands and feet
And I will give with the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion to see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

May it be by our compassion that we are known to a world that so desperately needs the hope and love of God.


6. Be Prudent in our Google-ized World
In the past, when leaders in a religious community spoke, it was only heard by their own community. But today our words ricochet around the world. When we try to explain who we are, what we believe, what we do, and why we do it, our words may reach beyond our primary audience. After saying something controversial, an outspoken leader may try to clarify his statement. But the damage is already done. Prudence is required. (Prov 17:27).

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 5

As we continue to pray for the Muslim world, below is the fifth recommendation for Christians.

5. Be Respectful and Bold in our Witness

In the spirit of the Prince of Peace, respectful witness focuses on giving a positive presentation of the gospel. It does not attack the other or avoid presenting truth. (1 Peter 3:15). Numerous biblical examples (i.e. Acts 4:31; 9:27-28; 13:46; 14:3; 17:30-31; 19:8) invite us to emulate the boldness of early believers in sharing the good news. In obedience to the Scripture, we seek to be both respectful and bold in our witness.

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 4

 As we continue to pray for the Muslim world, below is the fourth recommendation for Christians.

4. Be Wise in our Words and Witness

God’s Word calls us to share our faith wisely. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity” (Col 4:5, James 3:17-18).  We need to embrace that which is impartial and sincere, neither glossing over vital truths nor telling only one side of a story.

• Pray these things for your self, your congregation and the body of Christ concerning our relationships with Muslims.

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 3

 As we continue to pray for the Muslim world, below is the third recommendation for Christians.

3. Be Truthful and Gracious in our Words and Witness

We seek to be accurate when we speak about Muslims and their faith. Overstatement, exaggeration and words taken out of context should not be found among followers of Jesus (Matt 12:36, Ex 20:16, Matt 7:12, Matt 22:39). We affirm that proclaiming the Good News is a higher priority than defending our culture.

• Pray these things for your self, your congregation and the body of Christ concerning our relationships with Muslims.

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 2

As we continue to pray for those of the Muslim faith, below is the second recommendation for Christians:

2. Be Jesus-Centered in our Interaction

Our focus is Jesus because he is the essence of the gospel. (1 Cor 2:2). We affirm a Jesus-centered approach to Muslims because it highlights the treasure of the gospel. It does not confuse the good news with Christendom, patriotism or our civilization. Jesus is our model, and we seek to embody his life in all we say and do.

• Pray these things for your self, your congregation and the body of Christ concerning our relationships with Muslims.

Prayer for the Muslim World

Around the world, Muslim men and women are in the midst of the annual observance of Ramadan, a month-long celebration of purification and restraint.  Observances of Ramadan include a community fast and abstinence from human pleasures such as food, drink, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset. After sunset, the fast is broken over a meal called Iftar. Throughout the celebration of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to read the Quran, to give to those in need, and to develop their relationship with God through prayer. The goals of Ramadan are to experience and incorporate into normal life such virtues as humility, patience, sacrifice, forgiveness, and self-restraint.

Interesting.  

Ignore for the moment the (highly significant) differences in Diety, and some of the more specific requirements of Ramadan, and the above might almost read like a description of Lent.  But, before we wander too far down that path, here's the point: Millions upon millions of Muslims throughout the world are simply people, just like you and I, who are doing the only things they know to do to draw nearer to God.

So, we have a choice.  We can demonize them based on the actions of some and the stereotypes of many.  Or, we can recognize them as other human beings, struggling just as we are to make sense of a sin-filled world, and pray that they might find the same eternal Source of hope we have.

As Ramadan comes to a close over the next week, I invite you to join in me praying specifically for the Muslim world.  The 30-Day Prayer Network, an annual global effort to pray for Muslims throughout the celebration of Ramadan, has published nine guidelines to use when praying for Muslims.  I will be sharing one guideline per day and encourage you to join me in prayer.  As we are reminded in James 5:16, the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.

1. Be Faithful to God’s Truth – the Whole Truth

We seek to relate to Muslims on the basis of the core convictions of Christian faith, not by hiding or diminishing them. Relating to Muslims with respect, understanding and love includes bearing faithful witness to essential truths of the gospel. Jesus is Lord. Forgiveness, salvation and eternal life are free gifts of God’s grace available to any person through repentance and faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. We seek to obey the whole will of God, with its implications for every part of our lives in this world (Matt 22:37, 39; 28:20; Micah 6:8).

• Pray these things for your self, your congregation and the body of Christ concerning our relationships with Muslims.