30 Ways for Muslims to Encounter Christ
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 BiH, whether they are Sunnis, Shiite, Sufi, or Christians from a Muslim background; rich and poor, young and old, male and female.
Praying Scripture
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7-8).
Boldly ask that the veil of deception would be removed, that people would see the destructiveness of sin and living for the ego. Pray for a spirit of deliverance to work mightily in BiH to enable them to sow to the Spirit.
Ask that the reward for sowing to the Spirit would be gratifying and convincing, especially for our new believing brothers and sisters.
Praying for the Church
Pray for efforts among the youth in BiH. There are a handful of youth camps, youth groups, and young adult ministries which are seeking to disciple young believers and create a safe place for interested youth to learn.
Pray for wisdom when it comes to balancing these teens’ interest in the Gospel with their parents’ wishes (which are sometimes very against this). Pray for the next generation to continue to seek Truth and be bold with their witness.
Ask for strength for those engaged in youth work, which can often be challenging.
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
Our inheritance is not timidity: it is in God. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba Father’. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we also share in his glory” (Romans 8:15-17).
Pray for Christians from a Muslim background in BiH to renounce fear and every form of slavery to it.
Bosnian Insights
The phrase “never forget, never forgive” can be seen graffitied across BiH, usually with the date of July 11, 1995 attached. This is when the genocidal massacre took place in Srebrenica, where over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys who were supposed to be under UN protection were murdered by Serbian forces. Bosnians have a long memory, and wounds are not easily healed, if at all.
In many families, this phrase of “never forget, never forgive” is being taught to the younger generations, and the beliefs behind it are being passed down. While no one would say the atrocities of the past need to be or should be forgotten, the perpetuation of beliefs surrounding the unwillingness to forgive or allow wounds to find healing is unhealthy.
Pray for forgiveness so that healing and unity can come in BiH. Pray that, through forgiveness empowered by the Spirit, the long memories of the people of BiH will be transformed from a source of fuel for hatred and division into a source of praise and glory to God as people revel in his miraculous forgiveness and healing that they share.