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Bless your Muslim Neighbours at your local event

How can you put on an event for your Muslim neighbours as a church or Mahabba group? First of all, you need a pool of ‘warm’ contacts.

Bless your Muslim Neighbours at your local event
Refugees, asylum seekers
                                                                                   Antonia Brixey
How do we care for traumatised asylum seekers ...

A Mahabba member shares advice on how Christians can help traumatised refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.

How do we care for traumatised asylum seekers and refugees
asylum seekers, From the Network, Refugees, Stories
Anisa Ismail Wright
Jesus dined with sinners

A Mahabba member describes some of her experiences as a Muslim Background Believer in a UK church and writes about the attitude of Jesus all Christians should display.

Jesus dined with sinners
Dave
Cultural Launch Pads

It is important to identify a cultural launch pad that will help the listener start their journey with context. This member articles explains the idea with two examples of reaching out into Muslim communities within the UK.

Cultural Launch Pads
Mahabba Network
The Good Shepherd

A reflection on five lessons from Jesus in John 10, helping us to not just talk about the Good Shepherd to Muslims - but to come to look like Him.

The Good Shepherd

Lovefast

Lovefast -1: Introducing Lovefast

Image Unsplash

Image Unsplash

Day -1 of 30

By Phil Simpson from Mahabba’s Network Circle team

Introducing Lovefast, based on the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”
— Hosea 12:6

Thought for the day

Introducing Lovefast

Lovefast 2020 starts on 24 April 2020, again alongside the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World initiative.

Every year, following the lunar calendar, Muslims around the world fast and pray, earnestly seeking revelation from God and to become closer to him - this is the holy month of Ramadan.

Since 2014, Mahabba has run a prayer initiative to help Christians engage with Ramadan positively in prayer and action.

The aim of Lovefast is to couple prayer with action; that Jesus be unveiled to Muslims through practical acts of kindness by Christians in their communities.

The campaign is designed to complement and run alongside the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet. It was inspired by Stewardship’s 40Acts challenge during Lent.

Join us again for prayer, action and encouragement in 2020 from 24 April to 23 May.

Prayer for the day

Make a list of your Muslim contacts(Taxi-driver, doctor, local mum etc) and friends to pray for over the next 30 days Join in praying for them during LoveFast and share your story like this previous participant:

Lovefast has helped me to notice more Muslims in the crowd each day and I have felt prompted to pray for them during Ramadan. It’s great to be part of a community of people who are reaching out with God’s love and praying together. The daily email helped me not to forget! I have learned a lot more about Islam, and think more people should know about Lovefast!

Daily action

If you’ve not done so already, order your booklet from 30 Days of Prayer and sign up to Mahabba’s Lovefast, so we can pray and act together as a Network for our Muslim friends.

Each day of Ramadan you will receive a short ‘thought for the day’ directly in your inbox. This will also contain ways to pray for Muslims and engage practically.

Once you’re done, share your interactions on social media!

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Resources

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Learn more

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Eid 3: Love

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 33 of 30

By Chas from Mahabba’s Network Team

Daily verse

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
— John 15:9

Thought for the day

Love

Do you remember how you first began to love Muslims? There are many ways we may have begun. How can this love be sustained in the coming year? Firstly, love comes not from ourselves rather ‘love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God’. (1 John 4:7-12) So we need to remain very close to the source of love - ‘Abide in my love.’ (John 15:9) Secondly, we need to live from His love in all our relationships -‘They will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ (John 13:35) Then we can carry this love out into the world by sharing our faith verbally or by giving a Gospel to read; through our practical action and by inviting them into loving relationships; and through prayer leading to signs and wonders.
Let our love be genuine.

Prayer for the day

What has God been saying to you during Lovefast? Note two action points (in your prayer journal) for your future involvement with Muslims and resolve to keep on praying for them.

Daily action

Watch this video of UK Christian leaders addressing our Muslim friends. Consider joining the Mahabba Network as a way of keeping connected with your Muslim neighbours… Maybe you can become a Friend of Mahabba and support the ministry.

Learn more

Eid 2: Pray

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 32 of 30

By Phil S from Mahabba’s Network Team

Daily verse

“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Thought for the day

Pray

We have now been praying for 30 days during the Ramadan fast.

This has focused on both the global through the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World guide (promoted in UK by Interserve) and also our own Mahabba Lovefast prayer and action campaign, which has had more of a local focus.

Muslims have ben fervently praying during this period.

They generally follow a pattern of five daily prayers (one of the five pillars of Islam), similar way to the Christian monastic tradition.

The Muslim call to prayer is called the adhan.

I have experienced it as incredibly beautiful when sung acapella in the mountains of Pakistan but also as a cacophony when played through loudspeakers in a mega-city.

But this Lovefast has also been a call to prayer. And we want to continue. To ‘pray without ceasing’.

Join in the Jumaa Prayer campaign every Friday at 12noon to continue praying for your Muslim friends and neighbours. We will be posting more look out for the hashtag #JumaaPrayer.

Prayer for the day

Join in the Jumaa prayer campaign every Friday at 12pm to continue praying for your Muslim friends and neighbours.

Daily action

Find out a good time to visit a Muslim friend and take them a gift, maybe some dates, or something halal. And don't forget to continue to pray. It makes all the difference. One way to continue is to join in with our Mahabba Jumaa prayer initiative.

Learn more

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Resources

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Learn more

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Eid 1: Eat

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Day 31 of 30

By Phil S from Mahabba’s Network Team

Daily verse

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
— Matthew 11:19

Thought for the day

Eat

Muslims end Ramadan with the feast of Eid-al-Fitr, which is a time for Muslims at the end of the 30 days of fasting to dress up and celebrate with family. (Like Easter at the end of a long Lent or Christmas after the anticipation of advent.)

Maybe some of you were able to take part in an Iftar party at the time of breaking the fast. (We love to hear any stories from you.)

Why not take the opportunity to invite your Muslim friends (along with others) for a meal in your home, or in your community.

Eating together always builds community.

‎Lovefast, which has been running during the 30 days of ‎Ramadan is now over.

The daily blogs will stop at the end of Eid. Now it’s party time and the opportunity for us to start wishing Happy Eid to all our Muslim friends – learn to say the appropriate Arabic greetings: 'Eid Mubarak and Khair Mubarak'.

Prayer/ACTION for the day

Send a text message to any Muslim friends you have wishing them ‘Eid Mubarak’ (blessed festival) and telling them you're praying for them, that God would bless them.

Daily action

Get hold of a copy of "Simply Eat: Everyday stories of friendship, food and faith” and think about inviting some friends to your home for a shared meal (you can try out one of the recipes in the book).

Learn more

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Resources

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Learn more

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 1: Getting together

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 1 of 30

By Georgina from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if anyone hears my voice, I will come in to him and eat with him and He with me.”
— Revelation 3:20

Thought for the day

Doing things so we can be together

For the past 4 years Christian and Muslim women have been getting together in our town to read their scriptures, to enjoy food and do crafts together.

We've built up relationships that carried on beyond these activities in each other's homes. While the meetings were informal and enjoyable, they do take planning and initiative. Someone needs to take responsibility for booking a venue and printing texts and sourcing crafts.

As (western) Christian women we don't have a particular code of hospitality like the Fulani 'koddirgal.' We sometimes felt burdened by strategic planning for these meetings. However, this changed at one of our recent community events when one of the Muslim women gave us a new perspective.

We were drinking tea and reflecting on the way people seemed to connect in a natural way throughout the day. Her explanation was that 'We want to be together, so we do things.'

Her comment turned our expectations upside down: our aim is no longer the clever planning or the smooth running of events but the being together. My Muslim friend reminded me that Jesus wants to be with us, so he knocks on the door of our hearts to enter in (Rev. 3:20).

Prayer for the day

Lord Jesus, give me a heart of flesh that truly wants to be with people, so that our encounters may lead to them hearing you knocking at the door of their heart.

Daily action

Take time to really listen to someone over a cup of tea (or coffee). Simply find an excuse to 'be together'

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 0: Fasting and prayer

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 0 of 30

By Phil S from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning….”
— Joel 2:12

Thought for the day

Fasting and prayer

The overall theme for this years 30 days of prayer is 'hospitality'.

30 Days of Prayer represents an opportunity to pray for unreached people around the world.

And there seems to be a direct link between this global prayer movement and the rise in interest of followers of Jesus within the house of Islam.

Lovefast is about rooting this to our experience in UK. We will be looking at the same themes, but applied to Muslims in Britain.

The 30 days of Ramadan are a great opportunity to meet Muslims friends as they are desperately seeking Allah, as they fast and pray to draw nearer to God.

You can sympathise as they take ‘nil by mouth’ - no food or drink from sunrise to sunset, and then the joy of breaking their fast with dates and an Iftar meal.

You may be invited to an Iftar meal yourself at a local mosque, or an event run as part of the #BigIftar But use this opportunity to reach out to your muslim friends

Prayer for the day

Pray with Paul from Romans 10:1:

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved

Why not write down the names of five Muslim friends you know and pray for them throughout Ramadan?

Daily action

Ensure you’ve got a 30 Days of Prayer booklet during Ramadan and sign up to Mahabba’s #lovefast so we can pray and act together as a Network for our Muslim friends

Find out more

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast -1: Hospitality

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Day -1 of 30

By Phil S from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:6

Thought for the day

Hospitality in the Muslim World

Hospitality is an important, almost a central, part of Islamic culture. Offering kindness and generosity to guests is considered a duty which one owes to God. Therefore, many Muslims believe that to honour and welcome a guest is to honour and welcome God.

Hospitality is expressed in different ways in different cultures, but throughout the Islamic world it is characterised by generosity and self-sacrifice. No matter how little one might have, it is a point of honour to share it with guests.

In the prayer 30 day guide contributors to tell us about what hospitality looks like in the Muslim people groups they live among. And in Love Fast we reflect on these themes and apply them to our UK context

Food, of course, plays a significant part and you are warned that some of these articles may make you feel very hungry! Even during the month of Ramadan when fasting is the focus, the feasting that happens after sunset each day is sumptuous and shared freely.

Hospitality brings people together. It invites us to talk with one another and grow in spiritual understanding both as an individual and as a group. We hope you will enjoy these descriptions of hospitality in different Muslim cultures and be inspired to pray in a way that reflects that spirit of generous welcome.

Prayer for the day

Lord we pray that as we identify with our Muslim brothers and sisters during this month of Ramadan. You would help us to pray for them to discover more of You. And help us to find ways to act and get involved with their lives so that together we can discover more of Your Loving Heart.

Daily action

Make sure you have a copy of the 30 Days of Prayer booklet during Ramadan. Check on the website, and sign up with Mahabba for the daily feed of #lovefast prayer and action campaign.

Find out more

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 30: Peace

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 30 of 30

By Phil S from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Feedback and suggestions on the content and layout of Lovefast - see our Trello board →

Daily verse

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
— Romans 12:18 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Peace

We have been looking at symbols all through these 30 days of prayer during Ramadan.

When visiting the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem a saw a tile of a church, a synagogue and a mosque next to each other.

It became a symbol of hope for me.

I also came across the word ‘coexist’, replacing the C, X and T with a crescent, a star of David and a cross.

At the time I had a deep concern about how the Abrahamic faiths could stop attacking and killing each other.

So many wars seemed to have religious dimensions to them.  

One way to ‘coexist’ is to create mutual understanding by reading and reflecting on our sacred texts together.

This has taken many forms:

  • Scriptural reasoning

  • Meetings for better understanding

  • Prophet Stories

  • Holy book clubs

Various ways of reading our Scriptures together and building relationship through the stories of the Bible and Qur’an.

Prayer for the day

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

Daily action

Get hold of a copy of the new Grove booklet on storying Christian and Muslim faith together. Check out if there are any groups mentioned above near you.

Buy now
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Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 26: Welcome - Moroccans in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 26 of 30

By Simon from The Hub in Mahabba

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Click to open

Click to open

Feedback and suggestions on the content and layout of Lovefast - see our Trello board →

Daily verse

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
— John 14:6 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Welcome

There’s something special about a Moroccan welcome, especially a Berber one.

It’s a traveller’s welcome - often after a long, tiring journey, when the hope and excitement of the day is waning into the evening.

Lots of tea, honey, pancake-like treats, and lashings of sugar in every direction!

I remember the same warmth being true when I stumbled across a Moroccan shop in the UK - in Oxford, an academic capital and a world away in terms of culture!

Sometimes we feel we are only worthy to put on a welcome or have people into our home unless everything is pristine and just-so.

That pressure can sometimes prevent our hospitality.

Moroccans feel the same pressure, but after a quick spruce up, even the poorest of the poor would be as proud as punch to usher you through their door.

We honour them by our presence as guests in their home, no matter how lowly it is, and they go to great lengths to provide sustenance.

There’s definitely something of Christ in this welcome, and we see it in Muslim communities in the UK, whether Moroccan or not.

We know too that the invitation from Christ and to come to know Father God is beyond all else.

We may be British and struggle with this one, but how can we be a little be more hospitable and welcoming that Muslims we meet might encounter something of Jesus through us?

Prayer for the day

Father God, thank you that I am part of your family and for the loving embrace that I received through Jesus Christ. Today I pray that Muslim men, women and children in the UK might have the opportunity to experience something of that. Use me to be a channel of your love. Help me to break out of my Britishness and embrace Muslims around me.

Daily action

During Ramadan, it is common practice for Muslims to share food with neighbours after the fast finishes in the evening. Try to find a shop locally that sells Asian sweets. Buy some and take them as a gift to your neighbour. Make sure you go around 9:30 or 10:00pm - it’s not too late or rude, as they will eat after dark and be very awake! Offer them as a blessing and that as a Christian you are praying for them in their fasting.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 25: Hot - Eritreans in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 24 of 30

By Simon from The Hub in Mahabba

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Click to open

Click to open

Feedback and suggestions on the content and layout of Lovefast - see our Trello board →

Daily verse

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’”
— John 13:35 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Hot

Abraham is Eritrean; a friend of mine and I see him almost every day.

We give each other a big hug in the morning and sometimes at the end of the day - very un-British, but very Eritrean.

I love it - warm, welcoming friendly - what’s sometimes known as ‘hot climate culture’ - and it took me a little while to cotton on!

I saw him the other day at a Christian festival, sporting shiny aviator sunglasses and advocating for a new charity, helping the church to welcome refugees.

He was happy and smiling.

He has found Jesus and a fresh purpose in life - imagine if all the Muslims on your street or in your area had the same encounter.

Let’s be a bit hotter with our faith and warmer with our welcome - start with a Muslim you encounter; today!

Prayer for the day

 

Father God, thank you for the world that is coming to our doorstep. Help us to be warmer in our welcome and embrace of those we do not know. Stir in us more of your love for Muslims around us that we can better demonstrate your love for those from Islam who do not yet know you.

Daily action

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

I once worked with a young Muslim lady who remarked that I was different because I genuinely asked how she was and looked out for her. This one is a longer-burning action. Be intentional in really getting to know a Muslim near you, whether a shopkeeper or colleague. Make a conscious effort to ask consistently about his or her health, family, hopes, dreams etc. When you’ve done that, find out more about Welcome Churches which is helping churches welcome refugees in the UK.

Learn more

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 21: Close - Visiting a Mosque

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 21 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Click to open

Click to open

Feedback and suggestions on the content and layout of Lovefast - see our Trello board →

Daily verse

“even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.”
— Psalm 139:10 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Close

Once we were prayer-walking in Ramadan.

As we passed the central mosque, my companion said “Do you think we could go in?”

As approached a side-door a car drew up. A man got out. We greeted him and asked if anything was going on. “Come and see,” he said.

He led us upstairs where we found a group of men were chanting, seeking closeness to God.

We prayed silently for them.

We were expected elsewhere so after a while we left but not without being invited to comeback and eat with them.

Long story short, we learnt that one of them had a brother dying of cancer.

We asked if we could pray for him in the name of Jesus. “Of course” he replied.

So we prayed for him in the mosque in the name of Jesus. Men build walls: Jesus passes through them.

Prayer for the day

Here am I. Send me.

 

Daily action

Discover your local mosque and look out for invitations.

Learn More

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 17: Spring - Refugees in Germany

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 17 of 30

By Gordon from Mahabba Network International

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:
‘This year you will eat what grows by itself,
and the second year what springs from that.
But in the third year sow and reap,
plant vineyards and eat their fruit.”
— Isaiah 37:30 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Spring

As well as UK, Mahabba has been growing in Europe: France, Belgium, Norway & Austria already going; then working closely with Germany, Switzerland & Sweden; more recently interested established in Denmark & Belgium.

If God is with us, this will spread, so I am in waiting and praying mode until we get clear guidance on the future.

Just as an encouragement from a monastery in Germany: they are working in about 15 cities, mainly with Syrian & Iraqi refugees.

They just started the next discipleship training with about 70 MBBs.

What they are doing is unique in Germany, and last year they gathered over 1000 people to pray for 3 days.

They are sending Arabic speaking missionaries across Germany, and many German churches and Ministries are asking for support with their know-how and man-power.

They have already reached out to more than 20 camps, and 75 churches with Muslim groups…. hundreds of Muslims have become followers and are attending the discipleship schools.

New house cells have also been established.

Also churches with just MBBs have been established.

The head of the Refugee movement in German has asked me to send him material, and he will be encouraging Mahabba prayer.

Prayer for the day

Pray for the Mahabba Network as the message of ‘loving all Muslims’ spreads - with groups springing up themselves and connecting to other groups and ministries (like Al Massira). The desire is that more and more will discover and seek to follow Jesus.

Daily action

Try organising a Prayer Walk  or just go with a friend

Learn More

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 16: Respect - Libyans in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 16 of 30

By Mark Handley, serving with Operation Mobilisation in London among the Muslim community for over 20 years

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“As for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.”
— Philippians 3:6 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Respect

I met a Libyan in London at Speakers Corner, he was on a ladder telling the world about how great Islam was.

He was older than me and I knew nothing about Islam but he said the Bible had been corrupted or some other polemic against Christianity and I tried to correct him.

This started a relationship that lasted over 10 years as I bumped into him at Speakers Corner and on the Edgeware Road where he came for coffee and in the local park where I was running.

We learnt to respect one another.

As time went on we would talk about mosque/church life, he lamented that there was nothing worse than a convert, young British converts were trying to teach him about Islam!

He was a political refugee, a Muslim evangelist, but also a man with concerns for his children and mother, and concerns for his community.

We have prayed for him for many years, and although I have not seen him recently, I know that the Lord sees him.

Prayer for the day

Please pray for mosque leaders and evangelists that they will have Christian friends that they can respect and who will befriend them.

Daily action

Identify by name who is your local Mosque leader(s) and pray for them by name.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 15: Secret Believers

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 15 of 30

By Phil S, a member of Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
— Luke 7:22 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Secret

There are Muslim followers of Jesus around the Islamic world. I received this e-mail from somewhere in Asia:

This is the true story of our Lord Jesus, the source of peace recently discovered by Muslim people in our community.

In the last recent week, there has been a very, very intense spiritual battle in my Islamic community where I live.

A blind Muslim woman made tawassul [seeking to draw close to God] to ask Nabi Isa [the prophet Isa = Jesus Christ], son of Mary, to give her vision back.

We called the name of Jesus again and again.

To our great surprise, Jesus answered our tawassul and she was able to see again with her right eye.

She and her whole Muslim community are now very thankful to Nabi Isa, ibn Miriam [son of Mary].

They glorify Nabi Isa excessively. They attribute the healing to Isa.

My house and their house is full of people who are curious to know what happened.

We explain the power of Nabi Isa. We disciple them to be the disciple of Isa.

Physically we have been very tired in discipling people to be the disciple of Nabi Isa, son of Mary.

Prayer for the day

 

Pray for Muslims who have encountered Jesus, for secret believers, Messianic Muslims, Believers from a Muslim Background (BMBs), whatever they are called, and pray that this will happen more in the UK so that more and more people will ‘glorify Isa excessively’.

Daily action

Watch this video of an interview with David Garrison author of ‘Wind in the house of Islam’, or read the book - it’s worth it!

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 14: Movement - Cities

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Day 14 of 30: Movement

By Thomas, a friend of Mahabba working in Germany

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
— John 17:20-21 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Movement

Over the last few years some leaders of unity movements around the world have been connecting together.

They have been sharing what God has been doing, learning from each other and being inspired for further collaborations.

One network ‘Together for Berlin’ hosted an opportunity for leaders from different countries to come together.

I was encouraged to listen to the stories of the 8 city network leaders from the UK who shared many encouraging experiences of what God is doing there.

We were able to pray for one another and for our cities that God's Kingdom would come.

Already more than 54% of the world’s population lives in cities and it’ll continue to rise.

City reaching is a strategic way of reaching the nations at our door steps as more and more immigrants – many from unreached people groups and religions- are moving into our neighbourhoods - yet the church is still not aware of the immense opportunities this presents.

We have people from more than 100 different nations living in all major cities in Europe already.

It’ll bring many challenges to all of us but it’ll also be a strategic way of building God’s Kingdom.

I believe that God is orchestrating these global moves for his purposes.

Prayer for the day

 

Pray for real unity among movements in Europe serving refugees in various cities, that refugees will be attracted by the love they see in Christians who are serving them.

Daily action

Try using the Resource ‘Praying as small group’ or ‘Want to pray for M World in Small group’ (2/2).

Learn More

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 13: Retrieve - Call to Pray

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 13: Retrieve

By Phil S from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
— 1 Peter 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Retrieve

Bishop Kenneth Cragg led the way for many on how to approach Muslims and share faith with them.

He was respectful, relational  and invitational. He wrote classics like ‘Sandals at the Mosque’ and the ‘Call of the Minaret’.

When you hear the azhan recited by a muezzin what do you hear?

Cragg suggest that the call of the minaret is a call to prayer for Muslims, but also a call for Christians as well - a call to retrieval - to present the Christ that Muslims have missed.  

The call of the minaret must always seem to the Christian a call to retrieval. He yearns to undo the alienation and to make amends for the past by as full a restitution as he can achieve of the Christ to Whom Islam is a stranger. The objective is not as the Crusaders believed the repossession of what Christendom had lost, but the restoration to Muslims of the Christ Who they have missed. All that the minaret both says and fails to say is included in this call to retrieval as the listening Christian hears it.

Prayer for the day

Watch this call to prayer produced by Channel 4 and pray for opportunities for Muslims to meet Christ not as stranger but as friend

Daily action

Watch this clip from The Message (the story of Prophet of Islam) of Bilal and the first call to prayer. When you hear a call to pray then why not take the opportunity to do so - and pray for Muslims (or even to go and visit the mosque and reach out to a Muslim)

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 12: Essence - Muslim Women

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 12: Essence

By Georgina from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”
— Psalm 141:2 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Essence

At a meeting where a Turkish woman was talking about namaaz, someone asked whether it’s unfair to exclude women from prayer at the mosque.

Other Muslim women attending the meeting responded with smiles that they enjoy the opportunity to have time to themselves with a break from family obligations. They also appreciate collective namaaz prayers as a time for friends to catch up with each other.

For them the bigger problem was to stay focused on God while they recite their prayers. They were much more worried by the fact that their minds tend to wander to mundane matters while they are at prayer, and that even prayer beads (tasbih) don’t always help.

Prayer is the essence of a life of faith; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 asks us to ‘pray without ceasing.’

What does that look like in your walk with God?

Prayer for the day

Father, may I yearn to be in your presence.

Daily action

Set a timer to remind you to pray 5 times today.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 9: Satellites - Gospel Broadcasting

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 9: Satellites

By Chas from Mahabba's Network Team
Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

 

Daily verse

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
— Matthew 24:14 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
 

Thought for the day

Satellites

You may have heard about Christian programmes being broadcast into closed countries.

Now that many from these countries have sought refuge in the UK you can guide them to hear the gospel in their own language through various media.

SAT-7 has collected a series of programmes in Arabic & Farsi which answer some fundamental questions of the Christian faith, such as, “Who is Jesus’ and ‘what is the incarnation?’ ‘Why did God choose to die?’ ‘Why do we need salvation?”

These programmes are presented by Arabic and Iranian theologians and are available as a series of online Youtube links.

You can find more resources on the Mahabba website: www.mahabbanetwork.com/weblinks-index

 

Prayer for the day

Pray that people whose first language is not English in the UK will connect with the available Christian media resources.

 

Daily action

You could get some handy business cards to give away and share these resources with your friends.

 

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 6: Fish - Neighbours

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 6: Fish

By Phil G from Mahabba's Network Team
Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

 

Daily verse

“Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’”
— Luke 5:10 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
 

Thought for the day

Fish

We’re praying today for the Pattani people of South Thailand.

Many are making their living from fishing - we’re praying that many follow Jesus and become fishers of Pattani men and women, and beyond.  

When Jesus calls us to follow it’s also a call to fish (Mark 1:17). We can’t separate the two. ‘Let down the nets for a catch’ Jesus says (Luke 5:1-11).

Experienced fisherman Simon wants to question the carpenter teacher. We’ve worked hard, it won’t work here – wrong waters, wrong time of day, wrong nets…

Does it feel that way for us as we seek to connect and share with Muslim neighbours? Be encouraged today – it isn’t all down to us! We can be sure God is already at work in our local Muslim communities, in homes and hearts, speaking, revealing and drawing precious Muslims to himself.

Muslim people are often open to talk about spiritual things. Some will be ready to hear good news. ‘Because you say so I will let down the nets’.

 

Prayer for the day

Lord, thank you that you are already at work among Muslim people here. Thank you for calling us to partner with you in that work. Thank you that many will see you for who you are and follow. Who have you prepared for me to meet today? Help me not to be afraid or slow to share, but to be seen as someone who loves and is following you.

 

Daily action

Even if it’s just a passing opportunity, let’s be ready today to fish to find those who are open and responsive. How might you cast a net to start or turn a conversation to spiritual things? Think ahead of time what you could say – perhaps something like ‘I saw something amazing about God this morning’ that will catch the interest of someone open and lead to a deeper conversation.

 

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 4: Change - Saudis in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 4: Change

By Bryan from Mahabba's Board of Trustees
Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

 

Daily verse

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.’”
— John 16:13-15 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
 

Thought for the day

Change

I have never ‘quite’ been to Saudi Arabia.

Recently I visited Bahrain and while there we drove out along the 16 mile causeway.

Before crossing the border on a small island, we parked and prayed for the nation of Saudi that we saw in the distance.

What an emotional experience!

Saudi Arabia has been the only country in the Arab World not to allow any churches. Other countries allow churches for expatriates, even if nationals could not attend. Taking an Arabic Bible into Saudi Arabia was very dangerous.

Today, everything is changing.

Television, social media, the causeway to Bahrain are all amazingly effective ways of getting biblical truth into Saudi.

But also, Saudis in the UK are showing a greater openness to the gospel than previously.

Saudi students are doing Bible Studies in many university cities and a Saudi businessman I know about wants to talk about Jesus.

 

Prayer for the day

Almighty God, we pray for the thousands of people in Saudi Arabic who know you as Father and love Jesus, but are not free to tell anyone about their faith.  May your Holy Spirit be very near to them, protect them, guide them in the truth and help them to understand and enjoy the glorious mystery and love of the Trinity.

Amen

 

Daily action

Saudis are no harder for the Holy Spirit to reach than anyone else.  If you know of a Saudi, demonstrate God’s love and don’t hesitate to share your faith.

 

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

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