30 Ways for Muslims to Encounter Christ
Muslims and Christians often use the same Arabic word for “prayer”. The meanings of that word, however, could not be more different. Islamic salat “prayer” describes the memorized recitations that Muslims must speak and the motions they must go through five times a day.
Christian “prayer” describes two-directional conversation with God where Christians humbly approach the throne of grace with confidence to present requests, to praise, and to listen to God, and are thus transformed.
Today, we ask for Muslims in BiH to have the opportunity to be prayed for by a Christian and for them to have a divine encounter with God through it.
Praying Scripture
“The Lord says: ‘Turn to me now while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in grief; tear your hearts instead.’ Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate. He is eager to relent and not punish. Who knows? He might turn and leave behind a blessing instead of a curse. Therefore, announce a solemn assembly; call the people together to fast and pray” (Joel 2, selections).
Pray for a spirit of prayer, fasting, and repentance to fall on the believers in BiH. Pray for a seriousness and urgency among believers. Pray that God would respond to the prayers of BiH and that he send blessings on them.
Praying for the Church
Around Bosnia, believers are gathering in local churches to worship, fellowship, and pray. Would Sunday gatherings bolster the local believers, missionaries, expats, and others who attend them. While some have different ideas of what a church service should look like, pray it be an extravagant display of love, focused on Who is being worshiped, and not how.
Liberty to the Captives
Each of us who comes to Christ must repent of and renounce every pact, promise, or identity we held before faith in Christ. Join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ from a Muslim background as they repent of their former identity as Muslims. This prayer is inspired by chapter 7 and 8 of Liberty to the Captives by Mark Durie
We can consider it a joy to suffer in Christ’s name. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2).
Pray for those following Christ in BiH to renounce the lie that suffering for the sake of Christ is shameful.
Bosnian Insights
Bosnia AND Herzegovina? Is it two countries? What’s the “and” part for? These are questions we often hear when people are first learning about Bosnia and Herzegovina, or BiH for short (Bosna i Hercegovina in the local languages).
Bosnia is one country with two historic regions, Bosnia in the North and Herzegovina in the South. Separated by the Dinaric Alps, the two regions differ in climate, agriculture, and even culture to a degree. While Bosnia takes up a majority of the landmass (about two-thirds), the name Bosna i Hercegovina is meant to reflect the history of the region and honor its historic makeup.