30 Ways for Muslims to Encounter Christ
Islam teaches that deception under certain circumstances is acceptable and the effects of this teaching breeds mistrust—of God and of others. But the Bible tells us “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:9-10).
Pray for people in BiH to be people who pursue truth and feel conviction about deceiving others.
Praying Scripture
“Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth” (Exodus 33:15-16).
Pray that emerging faith communities would host His presence as they devote themselves to prayer. Pray that God’s presence with believers in BiH would draw men and women to the true King.
Praying for the Church
Pray that Christians in BiH will have vision and urgency to see all parts of their country reached with the gospel. Would they know that seminary training, years of experience, or expert training in scripture isn’t necessary to see the Great Commission fulfilled.
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
God is unchanging and true. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19).
Pray for Christians from a Muslim background in BiH to trust that God is unchanging and faithful in his relationships. He always keeps his word.
Bosnian Insights
Who are Bosnians?
During Ramadan, we are highlighting the Bosniak people, who are the predominately Muslim people group in Bosnia. While the term “Bosnian” sometimes refers to the Bosniak ethnic group, it can also refer to anyone who identifies as being from BiH. Bosniaks make up about 50% of the population. However, there are other people groups who live there, and who also need our prayers!
Croatian Catholics are around 15% of the population, and Serbian Orthodox about 30%. Even if someone’s family has lived in the territory of BiH for generations, if their heritage is Croatian or Serbian, they will generally identify as that, rather than Bosnian.
The remaining minority groups are made up of Roma people (who make up the largest minority), Montenegrin, Albanian, and “others.” Because of the complex history of the region, you can see how answering the initial question isn’t easy. What we can be certain of is that God knows and loves the Bosnian people!