In the last several years I have read many accounts of Jesus and angels appearing to many Muslims in dreams and visions especially during the month of Ramadan. This as a great time to pray for Muslims and for their salvation.
Open Doors USA has even put together a special prayer calendar to pray for a different Muslim nation each day. <<Here’s a link to their Ramadan Prayer calendar>>
Also a video interview of Carl Moeller of Open Doors from CBN:
Tagged Ramadan: Prayers for Muslims
**This was released today from Open Doors Secret Believers Ministry after I posted the previous article:
Prayers for Secret Believers
For congregations to pray
Sovereign Lord,
We pray for believers across the Muslim world who have chosen to follow Christ, often at
great personal cost.
Strengthen those who lead congregations, that they may be faithful to the call of God to
build the church in the Muslim world. Give courage to those who face intimidation,
discrimination, imprisonment or torture for their faith in you. And bring peace to the Muslim
world, so that your church may grow and flourish freely.
We also pray for Muslims all over the world who are seeking the truth about God. Bring
alongside them someone who will share the love of Jesus so that they can know God for
themselves.
We ask this that your church may advance, to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
For persecuted Christians to pray
Father God,
Convince us again of your love for us and give us grace to forgive our oppressors, to love
them and not become bitter. Help us to put on the full armour of God so that we can take
our stand for you, and enable us to remain in the communities and families that you have
placed us in.
We ask for your protection and pray that you would thwart the plans of those who would
wish to bring us harm. Grant us "safe" fellowship with other believers, and give us
discernment to know who and when to trust.
Finally we ask that you would reveal yourself to the people living around us and put your
love into their hearts.
We ask this in the name of Christ.
Amen
Posted in Intercession, Islam, Prayer, Revival
Coptic Altar- Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem -via Wikipedia
I keep track of what is happening to Christians in the Middle east, it is really heartbreaking. I’ve been a supporter of Israel and still am, but let’s face it Palestinian Christians receive persecution from both the Jews and the Muslims. I have no answers for what’s happening except to pray.
Seven years ago, the Lord gave me a burden for the Muslims and for revival in the Middle East and I have been praying ever since. Everyday I search the net for stories about Christians in Muslim countries and unfortunately the reports are nearly always bad–except there is the beginning of a hidden revival going on among the Christian community in a number of places.
As near as we can tell, 200,000 Iranians have come to Christ in the last 5 years or so. Nearly every week I read from Compass Direct News or on the VOM Persecution blog of Iranians being arrested, killed, or their children being taken. In response to the revival, the Iranian Parliament just passed a law that would place an automatic death sentence on all who convert to Christianity.
There is also a revival going on in Algeria as near as we can tell, 50,000-70,000 have come to Christ in that country and persecution has increased to the point that they have made it illegal for Christians to gather together in private homes for prayer–it is only legal in an official church. Like the Chinese revival, the real expansion is going on in house churches and not in the recognized churches.
Egypt is another story. The Coptic Christian community comprises about 10% of the Egyptian population but persecution is increasing because the Muslims are becoming more radical, but also because more and more folks are coming to Christ regardless–usually in miraculous ways. It is illegal there for Muslims to convert to Christianity, but ok the other way around. If a father converts to Islam, all his children and grandchildren are considered to be Muslims whether they want to be or not!
Presently, churches are illegal in Saudi Arabia and it is also against the law to hold bible studies or worship services in the home, but that is the only place that the 1.5 million Christians in the country can meet together. If caught, Christians are thrown in jail after receiving lashes for their faith (just like the book of Acts). There is hope that soon some churches may be allowed in the country.
I could go on for ever about this subject—here are the two articles that got me going today:
Persecution Blog- "Christians Are Being Persecuted in Most Arab Countries"
Christianity Today-"Listening and Learning in the Middle East"
Posted in Intercession, Islam, Persecution, Perseverance, Prayer, Revival
Received this from Charisma Online- Streams of Revival:
Dutch Sheets, senior pastor of Freedom Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, believes that this year’s anniversary of Sept. 11 will bring about a positive new direction for the body of Christ. The following word was given to him through another person who had been praying about an upcoming three-day worship event Sheets is hosting Sept. 11-13.
"A New Direction After Sept. 11"
The Lord gave me this word for Sept. 11, 2008:
"What was a day of disaster will now be a day of laughter! I will open the gates of heaven! Transition is on the way!
"Breakthrough, breakthrough is coming for you, big time! For this is the seventh year following 9/11. Seven is perfection, nine is the harvest of fullness and 11 is transition or stop. Over! The old is out and the new has come! Be encouraged for all is well."
Response: This is in line with some of the things that I believe that the Lord has been speaking to me for some time now.
7 years ago on the day that President Bush was inaugurated, I had an incredible vision of a coming Revival that would sweep across all of North America, effect hundreds of churches and communities, and like a tidal wave engulf the British isles and wash up on the shores of Western Europe.
While the exact timing was not given, I had a distinct impression that it would begin while Bush was in office. This is one of the major reasons that I continue to look for signs of revival anywhere that I can find them.
Then 9 months later, a few days after 9/11, I had another vision where the Lord spoke to me directly that the ‘Prince of Islam’ had exceeded his bounds and that a new crusade was coming, not of swords and spears, but a revival that would sweep across Islamic nations and see 100 million Muslims coming to Christ as a ‘first fruits’.
Lately, I think that we have seen a beginning of this—6 million or so Muslims coming to Christ a year in Africa, a major miracle in Egypt, a hidden revival in Iran, Also, authorities in Algeria are starting to worry about and persecute evangelical Christians who are said to have expanded quickly in house church ministries with an estimated 70,000+ members in a country where it is increasingly illegal for them to meet.
It is reported that many Muslims are becoming Christians after Jesus appears to them in visions in the night or while they are praying. *Top
Posted in Islam, Prophetic Message, Revival
In the West we recently experienced non-stop TV and Internet services coming from Lakeland, Florida. The participants unfortunately became celebrities over night. But there is an incredible revival going on completely hidden from view in one of the most anti-Christian despotic countries in the world–Iran.
I just read this article over the weekend in the June 2008 Charisma mag.: "A Martyr’s Cry" by Joel Kilpatrick. Wow!, it is a must read for those interested in true revival.
It is the story of Haik Hovsepian, the Iranian AG leader who was martyred for his faith. It is a story about a land that has made it illegal to convert from Islam, however, Christ has different plans for Iran and like China, the Gospel is spreading at a phenomenal rate in this country, totally hidden from view.
Right now Iran is experiencing one of the greatest revivals of modern times–due to supernatural phenomena such as dreams and visions. A few short years ago there were only a few thousand Christians in the country, now there are 200,000+!
According to Carl Moeller, president and chief executive officer of Open Doors USA:
“Iran remains one of the worst places in the world for a Christian to live out their faith, preceded only by North Korea and Saudi Arabia,”
“The abuse of Christians, literally, in the justice system is legendary. Christians do not have the same rights as the other Islamic citizens. They are routinely discriminated against, restricted, and in many cases when they seek to evangelize and disciple, church leaders are arrested, interrogated, tortured and even killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
“However, the church there is growing incredibly. In Iran there is a revival that maybe is only rivaled by the Chinese revival [of recent years]. Honest, seeking Muslims are having dreams of Jesus Christ.
“Some are being approached by what we can only call angels in parks and being confronted with their personal sins and told they need to come to Jesus Christ. It’s a revival the likes of which we’ve rarely seen in the history of the church. It’s been Holy Spirit-driven through dreams and visions and the technology available to us in the 21st century.”
What an incredible turn of events and totally unprecedented in an Islamic country, praise God! I can’t tell you how encouraging this is to me at this time, thank you Lord. *Top
This is an incredible story. Yasmin became a Christian after she had a vision of Jesus during the difficult birth of her son. She tried to keep her faith a secret from her family, since she was afraid of how they would react. Later, when they did find out that she was a Christian, the persecution followed.
According to Yasmin, she was harassed on the street, and disowned by her family. Her husband hired thugs to beat her up and planned on having her killed. She finally moved out to another part of the country with her children in secrecy. Her husband tracked her down and tried to take the children, objecting to them being raised by a Christian. Here are some excerpts of her experience:
"He continually intimidated and harassed me and hired someone to beat me in the street. Wherever we went there would always be a car following us and watching us."
"Everyone in the local Muslim community knew I was a Christian and didn’t want to know me. People would cross the street rather than greet me and often spat in my face. They tried to pressure me to leave town. But I had already been chased out of one town so I was determined not to let them intimidate me."
"One of the most difficult things about becoming a Christian from a Muslim background is losing your family. There are such tight family networks in our communities. If someone becomes a Christian then they are considered to bring shame on the whole family and the only response is to cut them out of the family."
Response: I hear of and read that more and more Muslims are converting to Christianity through Visions and direct experiences with Jesus. This is becoming common, particularly in Muslim countries that outlaw conversions and missionaries.
What is really incredible about this story, and the surprising and stunning punch line is this—Yasmin lives in the UK!
We really do need to remember to pray for Yasmin and her children. Also, for all the others like her who have converted and face persecution and even death for the sake of their faith in Jesus. *Top
Posted in Intercession, Islam, Visions
This is not an April fool’s day joke! There is a new Internet ministry, Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer (ATFP), which is urging Christians to adopt a terrorist and pray for them. Just as Jesus Christ instructed his disciples to love and pray for their enemies.
The ministry has pictures of all the major known terrorists and suggests that you select one (adopt) to pray for. As ATFP founder Dr. Thomas Bruce states:
“People can go to www.myatfp.org to learn about nearly a hundred prominent at-large and captured individuals identified by the FBI and State Department as either terrorists or terrorism sponsors,” the ministry founder said.
He added, “Visitors can then find a terrorist to pray for, as well as see how many others are praying for them. It’s all about connecting these prayer warriors to each other to see how others are praying, to encourage each other, to spread the word, and fight this War on Terrorism in a powerful and spiritual way.”
Response: The on-going battle and clash against Islamic terror is more of a spiritual battle against principalities and powers than most people realize. I believe that prayer could be a more powerful weapon in the War on Terror than thousands of armed forces and could actually bring about changes that can’t necessarily be accomplished through natural means. Here’s a link to their website. *Top
Posted in Intercession, Internet Ministry, Islam, Prayer
From J. Lee Grady, Fire in My Bones, Charisma Online, Wednesday 19, 2008:
An Urgent Cry From Nigeria’s Christians–Nigerian Christians have asked the world to pray for them on Good Friday as they face the growing threat of Muslim violence. A quote from the article by Grady:
"I am linking arms with my Nigerian brothers, and I ask you to do the same this Friday. When one part of Christ’s body is suffering, we all suffer. If the radical Islamic agenda succeeds in Nigeria—where African Christianity is most vibrant—Islam could swallow a continent. We desperately need intervention from God."
Posted in Islam, Persecution, Prayer Request
I am way behind in my reading right now. Yesterday at lunch I read an great article in the October issue of Christianity Today: “Why Muslims Follow Jesus“. It was all about why Muslims convert to Christianity. Over 750 former Muslims filled out an extensive questionnaire on that question.
The number one response was:
-The example of Christians that they knew
Followed by a number of responses that Charismatics and Pentecostals will appreciate and understand:
-Answered Prayers
-Healing
-Deliverance from the demonic
-Visions and dreams
It should be noted here that one of the greatest differences between Christianity and Islam involves the Holy Spirit and Spiritual gifts. There is no Holy Spirit or Spiritual Gifts in Islam.
The only practitioner of healing and miracles, according to the Koran, was Jesus the Prophet. Muhammad never performed any miracles or healing. This is why Muslims are open to seeking Jesus when they need healing and deliverance.
Finally, it was the Gospel message itself, the assurance of forgiveness and Salvation, and the proclamation of the ‘Love of God’ through Jesus that was of primary importance to the converts. There is no certainty of salvation in Islam and according to the Koran, one can never be assured of Allah’s forgiveness or love. He forgives who he wills and punishes whom he choses (2:284).
Praise God and rejoice all you Christians! Any time I look at Islam I am thankful for the faithfulness of our God through Christ Jesus. Our Father does love us and loved us before we even knew him, and He sent his Son into the world for our salvation. Praise the Lord! *Top
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Barack Obama a Fulfillment of Muslim Prophecy?
Image by jmtimages via Flickr
Now the fun begins! Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejab has been talking about an apocalyptic Shia/Islamic scenario for several years now–predicting that ‘the Hidden Imam‘ would soon return as the end-time Mahdi that establishes Islamic rule over the entire world.
Following the election of Barack Obama, some Shities actually believe that Obama could be a possible fulfillment of an end-time Islamic prophecy.
I found the link to this at SmartChristian.com and in an article by Daniel Pipes. Here is a quote from the original article
by Amir Taheri:
Response: This is crazy from a Christian perspective, but it is also scary in its implications. There are indications that Iranian leaders are exploring the possibility and may well plan accordingly.
If there is a perception that the USA is in decline under Obama’s administration and that he is an actual sign that Islam is about to rise up and dominate, the Iranian leaders might miscalculate and bring about an actual confrontation with Israel, the United States, and the West.
Pres. Ahmadinejab has already threatened Israel’s existence on a number of occasions. The Iranians last week tested some new missiles that could reach Israel and parts of Europe. If and when they actually go nuclear–then this scenario could end up having some serious consequences indeed.
It is doubtful that the Israelis would wait to act until a nuclear missile was actually in the air headed their way. Look for a strike well before the Iranians have that capability. One can only guess what the aftermath would bring–it would not be pretty and it could be apocalyptic. *Top (Cross-posted at Apologetica)
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Posted in Eschatology, Islam, News Commentary, Prophecy