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How can I effectively and informatively pray for the Muslim world during Ramadan?

“He (Jesus) came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the the prayers of the saints.”

In the previous post we provided a basic introduction and summary to the question, “What is Ramadan?”. In hopes of building off our understanding of Ramadan and for our engagement in the Father’s heart for Muslims to know the “glorious riches of Jesus”, I will give some ideas for you to consider on how you can effectively and informatively pray for the Muslim world during Ramadan. However, in outlining the below ideas that myself, our community, and others have found to be effective and informative, you should take complete liberty to discover what ideas might be effective and informative in your context.

Praying for Muslim Women:

The social status of women in the Muslim world is diverse, but they are all left vulnerable to similar spiritual realitites. 

Sepcifically pray against a spirit of fear.  Many Muslim women fear death, not knowing what is after death and not having any assurance of salvation in Islam.  They as well fear evil spirits that may harm them and their family.  They believe in angels and demons as Christians do, but they don’t know that we can have protection and power over demons through Jesus.

Pray against a spirit of bondage.  Muslim women feel a great lack of personal worth since they are treated as inferior to men.  They are decieved into believeing their main value is in child bearing and housekeeping.  They are usually not consulted in decision-making and in the case of a divocrce, they have no right to keep their children.

Pray that God would open their eyes to the truth.  God calls us to share the gospel with people all we can, but as well to remember that only the Holy Spirit will bring them to belief.  The Holy Spirit… “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement.” John 16:8

Other Ways to Effectively Pray for Muslims:

Prayerwalking is great for those that need more action in their step or just want to set eyes to the peoples/places they’re praying for.  Go out into your city and pray throughout mosques, restaurants, neighborhoods, businesses, markets, and your friend’s homes.  Allowing your eyes and heart to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in “seeing” into the spiritual realities of these places will change the way pray and give you a wartime mentality.

Praying and worshipping with community is a powerful way to usher the Kingdom into the Muslim world from home.  Designate time with family, your community group, roomates, etc. to worship Jesus.  In groups, try creating a spread sheet with topics and times, going back & forth breaking up worship and prayer.

While praying, be sure to stop and listen to God.  Ask Him to show you how to pray and get quiet before Him thinking about Muslims and the reality of the gospel.  Applying scripture to your prayers and praying accordingly is a great way to listen to God in prayer as well.  At the end of the blog, there are specific scriptures to help guide you in this.

Lastly, ask a Muslim if you can pray for them: Hardly ever will a Muslim say no to being prayed for!  Seek them out and pray for them the way you would any of your friends.  It can be a great way to share the gospel and to show them truth as they are earnestly seeking it during this time of Ramadan.

Learn More:

Praying effectually also means praying informatively.  Below is are several links to news clippings, prayer guides and more.  Please use these.  Another idea is to get a Qur’an, read it and think about the ways Muslims are praying.  As you read, pray biblical truth and light in the areas that don’t align with the gospel.

News clippings: Use news clippings from these sites and more to guide your prayers for specific countries and situations. http://english.aljazeera.net/, http://www.bbc.co.uk/,

Guides: The 30 Days Prayer-Network: www.30-days.net . You can actually sign-up for the daily portions of the guide to be emailed to you. There is also a downloadable version of the guide.

Islamic Finder(www.islamicfinder.org): This is a great way to pray for Muslims at the exact times they are praying. You can download it to your computer and receive the Muslim call to prayer based on your timezone. Get ready to be awakened!

Praying Scripture: Praying God’s heart back into the hearts and lives of Muslims.

“Abiding fully means praying much.”

-Andrew Murray