30 Ways for Muslims to Encounter Christ
Even now, anticipation is building among Christians around the world as we ready to celebrate Easter: the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Muslims deny this fact. “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Pray for Muslims in BiH to be convicted of the reality that they are still in their sins and that only God Himself can provide a solution for that – the cross of Christ.
Praying Scripture
“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” (Jeremiah 33:25).
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: we call on you to have mercy on BiH, 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.
Praying for the Church
Many Christians from a multitude of denominational backgrounds are fasting for Lent right now, abstaining from food or other pleasures in order to reflect upon their sin and Christ’s journey to the cross. Others choose not to participate, living rather each day in the joy of the resurrection, and avoiding the ritualization of this practice.
Whatever stance the local groups of believers take, would You, Christ, bring unity, grace, understanding, and joy to all. Would this season be a reminder of the life-changing power of Jesus, something we all can agree on!
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
The cross cancels every anti-Christ pact and destroys all its power. “And you, who were dead in your trespasses…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:13-15).
Pray for Christians from a Muslim background in BiH to cancel the power of and renounce every lie they’ve heard that Jesus didn’t die on the cross and to rejoice that they have been made alive with Christ through the cross.
Bosnian Insights
Throughout Bosnia, Catholic and Orthodox Christians are participating in Lent and fasting at the same time as the Bosniak Muslims. This is a special alignment of both the Julien and Gregorian calendars, as usually the Lent season and Easter are celebrated on different dates by the two Christian groups, while the Muslim calendar follows its own cycles.
As this rare, shared season of fasting occurs, pray that God will prompt Christians and Muslims in BiH to talk about Jesus. Pray that these conversations will provide opportunity for Christians to invite Muslims into their homes for celebration of Easter meals. While most Bosniak Muslims do not celebrate Easter, many will send greetings to their celebrating friends, neighbors, or colleagues and some might consider joining for a meal if invited.
Pray that Bosnian Christians would follow the prompting of the Spirit to invite their Muslim friends into their homes and that this would truly open the door for Gospel interest.