The month of Ramadan is known as ‘the month of repentance,’ and so as we pray for a gospel movement to transform this nation, let us cry out for God’s Kingdom to come, for a spirit of repentance to fall on the peoples living in Bosnia, whether they are Sunnis, Shiite, Sufi, or Christians from a Muslim background; rich and poor, young and old, male and female.
“This is what the Lord says: I would no more reject my people than I would change my laws that govern night and day, earth and sky…I will have mercy on them” (Jer 33:25).
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: we call on you to have mercy on Bosnia, according to your word. And we declare: no more would you abandon this nation than you would change the laws governing night and day, earth and sky.
Time is a precious commodity. Some people in Bosnia work or study long hours. Pray that God will give them wisdom to prioritize their time to serve Him.
This month, we want to encourage you to pray in new or unique ways as we lift the Bosniak people. Each day, we will be highlighting a way you can engage one of the “5 senses” to specifically pray for Bosnia.
SMELL
As important as the somun bread discussed on Day 10’s Prayer fuel, nigella seeds (sometimes called black seed or black cumin) are sprinkled on top of somun during Ramadan. Sometimes referred to as “the blessed seed,” Islam teaches that nigella seeds bring luck, prosperity, and contain medicinal properties to cure all ailments but death. The smell of the seeds is strong, and has “a flavor profile that has notes of onion, oregano, and black pepper.” While you may not have access to nigella seeds, you can imagine based on the description what the smell might be like. Pray for those who strongly associate this scent with Ramadan. Pray that they would seek and find the cure for all ailments, including death, which is faith in Christ Jesus!
Lord of new identities, we pray for mercy. We pray for our non-Christian brothers and sisters to be filled with courage and faith, that they would take the radical step of baptism, and take it quickly. Holy Spirit let them revel in putting on their new self in Christ. We ask Holy Spirit that you come. Fill these new churches and believers with your presence. May they be baptized in groups, Lord, in order to establish new churches, and may they never walk alone. We ask for your grace. Grace upon grace, upon grace, over our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Amen.