TV Programs in Arabic
Click here to view an article on tv programs in Arabic that are helping Muslims understand the truth about Isa. Read this interview to learn more.
Muslims Need Isa (Jesus)
What Muslims are looking for is favor with God. The Bible says that God offers this to every individual freely.
Most Muslims, however, have never heard about this offer.
Since Islam began, in 630, AD, Muslims are among the least evangelized and the most resistant to this message of good news. That is why most of them have not had a chance to hear.
Why do they wake up early every morning, get out of bed, wash themselves perfectly, roll out their mats toward Mecca, and pray to their God?
Why do they deprive themselves of food and drink during the sunshine of a whole month?
The goal is one thing: merit with God.
Muslims value works and effort to make God pleased with them. They despise the idea that men are helpless before God and that He has provided free grace in Christ. They do not believe in Jesus Christ's power to forgive sins and most deny that Jesus died on the cross.
Therefore, in order to lose their guilt and find favor with God, they strive to do good things: one of the most important this long fast, to gain what they need before God.
Prayer focus: Ramadan (October 26-November 24)
On October 26, Muslims around the world begin their 30-day prayer vigil. Until November 24, they will fast during all the daylight hours of the month, abstaining from food and pleasure in order to pray.
They will eat food and drink water only when it is dark out.
Surah (chapter) 2:183 states "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may [learn] self-restraint."
The fast, then, is meant to teach Muslims self-control. It is thought that this brings a Muslim more merit, and that one who keeps the fast (as the other four of the five pillars of Islam) has a good chance of obtaining such favor that he is allowed into paradise.
This fast takes place every year in the Islamic month of Ramadan. A big feast is given for the celebration of one of Islam's two important holidays: Eid-ul-Fitr. The holiday is the first day of the tenth month, the day when the fast is broken. It is celebrated with joy and pious deeds. Muslims dress up in holiday colors, have a special prayer meeting in the morning at the mosque, visit relatives, and sometimes give their children gifts of money. It lasts three days, but the giving of the poor and special prayers are done usually on the first day.
What Followers of Jesus Can Do for Muslims
- Pray. Pray for the Muslims, the Workers, and the Harvest. Some specific prayer requests are listed below:
Pray specifically:
- That Muslim's hearts would be open to hearing about Jesus
- That God would open their eyes to see the truth about Himself
- For God to reveal Himself to them through Jesus Christ
- That they would have the strength and determination to follow Jesus in what seems like impossible situations
- For the Workers in Muslim countries or with Muslims
- Pray for the Unreached Muslims (those who have never heard of Jesus Christ in the biblical context):
- That God would call laborers into the harvest
- That those who do follow Jesus near them would be called to go to them
- That more people would become aware of their needs and obey Christ's command to go
2. Fast
- Take one meal, one day, one week, or even just one thing (such as desserts or snacks) to fast and pray for Muslims.
- Use the time you would be eating to pray fervently.
- Get involved in witnessing about Jesus Christ to Muslims you already know or new Muslim friends.
3. Encourage others to pray with you
- Tell your friends about this call to prayer.
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To continue with these articles about Islam from a biblical perspective, click on the links below:
| Understanding Islam's God | Differences between Biblical and Qur'anical thought and practice | News and Prayer Alerts for the worldwide Muslim population | Links and resources for more information about Islam |