RAMADAN - PRAY FOR THE SONS OF ISHMAEL
RAMADAN -
PRAY FOR THE SONS OF ISHMAEL
Many of us have Muslim friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers we hope to see trust in Yeshua. We know they consider Yeshua a prophet, but we long to see them believe in Him as their Lord and Savior. As Ramadan is here, we are provided with a fresh opportunity to pray for them and hopefully engage with them in spiritual conversation. John 13:13-15
What is Ramadan?
On the evening of
Friday, May 16/17, 2018, millions of Muslims around the world began
observing Ramadan. Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the year for
Muslims. This is the month when Quran was first revealed to Muhammad.
The observance of Ramadan is one
of the 5 Pillars of the Islamic faith, which requires all Muslims who are
physically able to fast each day of the month, from sunrise to sunset.
The Night of Power falls on the 10th
June when Allah comes down to the lowest heaven to hear their petitions, forgive
sins and rewards for the faithful.
This time of fasting from food,
drink, and other physical needs is intended to purify the soul, practice
self-restraint, and refocus one’s devotion to their god, Allah. This is also a
time when many Muslims increase their Zakat (alms) giving to the poor,
which is another of the 5 Pillars of their faith.
The evenings are spent enjoying
time with family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual
reflection. Many communities invite a Muslim cleric to conduct Tarawi
(discourses) to teach from their scriptures. Ramadan concludes, according to
the western calendar, on the evening of Sunday, June 14th.
Common Beliefs And Parting Of The
Ways:
Over one billion Muslims already
believe in the virgin birth of Isa (Yeshua.) That God chose his mother Mariam
as she was the most chaste woman on earth. Yeshua and Mariam are mentioned 25
times, while no other chaste woman is mentioned in the Quran. Quran and
Hadis (Traditions) say that He did miracles by thousands, including raising
the dead. They believe that Yeshua’s look alike was crucified but he was raised
alive to heaven and He is nearest to God. That He will come back to judge the
people and rule for 40 years. That he will get married, bear children, kill all
the pigs, and several thousands of Jews and persuade Christians to become
Muslims. He will die and be buried next to Mohammad in Medina.
How Can We Intercede During
Ramadan?
Pray that the prophecy in Isaiah
60:7,8 may come true – That the sons of Ishmael, Nabaioth and Kedar, will come
on camels loaded with gold and silver and will be accepted by God to glorify
His house.
They may believe that Christians
do not worship three Gods; Father, Mother and Son, but a Triune God – Father,
Son and the Holy Spirit. That Yeshua is a spiritual Son and not a biological
physical son.
That not a look alike but Yeshua himself
died on the cross and shed his blood to cover their sins.
That they may believe that the
Bible has not been corrupted. There is not a single verse in the Quran that
says that the Bible has been corrupted, abrogated or replaced by Quran. Instead
it says that the Quran affirms the previous messengers and the books – the
Torah, Psalms and the Injil (Gospels). That Muslims should consult
People of the Book, (Christians and Jews) as commanded in the Quran.
That they may know that Muhammad
was not the last prophet, but John the Baptist was the last and the greatest prophet.
We have been warned about false prophets. Matt. 11:11-13
Praise God for tens of thousands of
Muslims who are turning to Christ in hardcore Islamic countries like Iran, north
African countries like Egypt, Libya, Algeria; Indonesia the largest Muslim
country; Rohingyas of Myanmar, Mongolia etc. Even in Christian countries in the
West, where hordes of Muslim refugees are finding love and compassion, which
they never experienced in their own countries.
Pray that Jihadist will know that
they are deceived into thinking that if they kill or be killed, they will be
going to Islamic Jannat (paradise) full of wine and women.
That they may know that Quran is
not the word of Allah, because unlike Abraham and Moses and other prophets of
the Bible, Allah never spoke directly to Mohammad, but through a spirit called
Jibreel, very different from Bible’s Gabriel. That on his return, Yeshua will
not rule just for 40 years but establish his millennial kingdom on earth.
As Muslims hunger and thirst and pray
from al Fatiha vs. 5-6, the opening prayer in the Quran, “Show us
the way as you have shown to others (Jews and Christians).” That they may know that
Yeshua is the way, the truth and life and that no one can go to the Father
without Him.” That they may have visions, dreams and develop hunger and thirst
for revelations of Yeshua Messiah.
With the Islamic world in
turmoil, this is the Kairos moment for reaping the ready harvest, but the
laborers are few, in fact non-existent in most places. Pray that the church
will wake up and learn to love the Sons of Ishmael and acquire skills and
whatever it takes to disciple them into the Kingdom, because they are also
created in the image of God.
Father, we pray that
as they set their hearts to worship their god Allah, that You might make them
to “know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3
). Help them see that Jesus is
Your eternal Son through whom they can have eternal life.
Father, we pray that
as their bodies hunger and their tongues thirst, that You would show them Jesus
who promised “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and
he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35). Help them see the
insufficiency of their works and lead them to hunger and thirst for the
righteousness that only Yeshua can give.
Father, we pray that
as they practice self-restraint that You would show them Jesus who, before He
was crucified for sinners, denied Himself and “prayed, ‘My Father, if it is
possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will’” (Matthew
26:39). Help them believe that He
truly died on the cross and drank fully from the cup of Your wrath.
Father, we pray that
as they give alms to the poor that You would show them Jesus who “though He was
rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might
become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Help them see and treasure
the eternal glory of Your Son Jesus.
Father, we pray that
as they gather together to feast in the evening, that You would show them Yeshua
who invites sinners of all sorts to abandon their false gods and by faith join
“those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation
16:9). Show them the resurrected
and ascended King of Glory who desires them to draw near to Him in faith.
Father, we pray that
you would give Your church love for Muslims across the world. Make us like Yeshua
who “felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd”
(Mark
6:34). Guard us from
self-righteousness that would lead us to having hard hearts toward those who do
not know You.
). Let us not fear any
consequence of faithfully taking the Gospel to those who desperately need Your
grace.May this season of Ramadan be marked by the faithful intercession of
God’s people who long to see many Muslims come to the saving knowledge of
Jesus, the Son of God.
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