“Pray for the Muslim World”

It's been a while since I've written, so now I'm jumping back into the "fray"…

This morning as I was driving my usual route to work, I noticed a sign that must have been up for a few days, but had escaped my prior notice. It's the sign that you see pictured to the right. It simply said, "Pray for the Muslim World."

Now I must admit that at first sight of the sign, I have the beginnings of the reaction that many others likely have. I'm still reeling from the anniversary of 9/11. It makes me angry to think of what this religion teaches and has done in our time. Their god is not the God of love that we read of in 1 John 4:8. Their god is not the God who gave his son to die on a Roman cross for the sins of ALL the world, if they would only just believe and obey. Thankfully for them, though, our God is the God who desires the following:

Luke 6:27-35 NKJV - (27) "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,(28) bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.(29) To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.(30) Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.(31) And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.(32) "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.(33) And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.(34) And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.(35) But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil."

Now I must readily admit that this is a tall order. We all have heard the command to "love our enemies" preached time and time again from the pulpit. Those of us who have preached it have talked about how easy it is to say, yet difficult to do. We may have even made attempts at loving our "lesser enemies" to some degree. But are you willing to love, pray for, and be kind to someone perceived as a "greater enemy"?

Now I know that at this point, some of you who think you are a little more "open minded" than the rest of us Christians might be thinking, "Well there goes another 'evangelical Christian' talking about how Islam is evil, and how Muslims need to be prayed for and 'saved'." I write the following with sincere love for those who feel this way. First of all, I'm not an "evangelical" Christian in the political sense of the term, nor is this a political article. I'm just a Christian, thank you. Second, I understand that not everyone who claims to be a Muslim holds to all tenants of the faith (jihad, etc). And yes, I meant to write it that way. In all fairness, there are many who masquerade as "Christians" and yet only honor God with their mouths, and not their lives and hearts (Matthew 7:13-14; 15:8-9). Third, all people need the salvation that only comes through Christ Jesus (John 14:6). I hope that you realize if you are condemning my thoughts that you are being slightly judgmental in your thinking, which ironically is inconsistent with your "gospel" of tolerance. By the way, I'm praying for you, too.

Now back to the topic.

I don't know about you, but it's awfully difficult for me to find a starting place. I have problems immediately knowing where to start. This is my attempt at finding a start. Here are a few ideas to get your thoughts flowing:

1. Pray that God will continue to be longsuffering toward them, that they might have a chance to see the error of their way. Remember, God is longsuffering toward man, and is unwilling that any should perish (cf. 2 Peter 3:9).
   


2. Pray that you might have an opportunity to talk to someone who is Muslim or is considering Islam as "their faith". Ponder the meaning of 2 Timothy 2:24-26 in light of this.
   


3. Pray for courage. Courage for you to do what is right. Courage for those who are trying to reach the Muslim world with the Gospel of Christ. Pray that God's Word won't be hindered in reaching them.
   

Think of this as an opportunity to do right. Remember the God we serve, "…for he is kind to the unthankful, and evil." (Luke 6:35b)

What else can we pray for concerning the "Muslim World"? Feel free to comment.