Network update
Mahabba Network
Ramadan - A time for opportunities

The Islamic month of Ramadan runs from 10 March to 8 April this year (2024). Ramadan is a great time to start conversations with Muslim friends and colleagues and to focus on praying for Muslims in our local community and across the UK. These next few weeks are full of opportunities!

Ramadan - A time for opportunities
Action & impact
Mahabba Network
Something to Celebrate

In the kingdom of God there is always lots to celebrate, but this month we are particularly thankful for the successful face-to-face meeting of Mahabba Coordinators, for answered prayer and for new volunteers.

Something to Celebrate
Network update
Mahabba Network
New Ways to Connect

Did you know that we have a Mahabba prayer group just for millennials? It was launched in January. It is for anyone aged between 18-40. This month we’ll learn a little more about the group and the volunteer who leads it as well as looking at the Support Circle and inviting you to be part of our face to face – virtually.

New Ways to Connect
Action & impact
Mahabba Network
More to Mahabba

We’re excited to tell you about a Mahabba event that happened in Croydon last weekend called the Hope Event. This regular gathering is designed for people to bring a friend from another faith background. This time they had an African theme, celebrating God’s diversity and creativity. We also want to highlight some of the other things that Mahabba is involved in such as Millennial and Juma prayers.

More to Mahabba
Network update
Mahabba Network
Faithfulness and Perseverance

We hope that you were one of the many who joined our bi-annual prayer meeting last Friday. It was an encouraging time with music, testimony and prayer. Have you ever wondered what the Mahabba circles are all about? They’re part of our vision of being a grassroots organisation.

Faithfulness and Perseverance

Lovefast

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!

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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.

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 24: Seek - Sufis

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 24 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

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

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Daily verse

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Seek

“This is the highlight of my week,”

remarked a young bearded man of Pakistani heritage.

“I would not miss it for anything.”

He was at a gathering of the mureeds (disciples) of a Sufi Sheikh. In a borrowed hall, they gathered to sing their way through an Arabic litany.

They sang stirring hymns, listened to a short exhortation from one of their members and enjoyed a meal together.

For tourists abroad, Sufism is associated with the gilded tombs of mystics long dead, but Sufism is alive and well and thriving in the UK.

Sufi Muslims believe that knowing God is possible and that access to grace and blessing is given through sheikhs who guide those who believe in them.

All that they seek, God has given in Christ but they do not know it.

Prayer for the day

Thank God for all we have in Christ and ask him for opportunities to share it with the spiritually hungry.

Daily action

Think how you would describe all that ‘the man Christ Jesus’ has done and is doing for you and ask God for an opportunity to share 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 23: Growth - African Muslims

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 23 of 30

By Chas from Mahabba's Network Team

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

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Daily verse

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
— Revelation 7:9 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Growth

An African man in London rested on his bed after completing his Muslim prayers.

As he did so a very bright light came into the room.

Within the light he saw the figure of a man who said ‘Islam is not your religion; this is’ showing him a Bible.

He is now a follower of Jesus and a passionate evangelist wherever he goes.

In recent decades there has been a marked increase in the numbers of people attending Pentecostal Churches in London, mainly explained by the growth of African Churches.

Many West African Pentecostals regard the UK as a potential mission field, bringing the gospel back to those who originally provided it.

Simultaneously, about 10% of the UK's Muslim population are of African heritage and a growing number of young black people are converting to Islam.

Will you join our African brothers and sisters to pray for continued conversion growth in their churches?

Prayer for the day

Pray for sustained growth in terms of conversion numbers and quality of fellowship within the black led Churches in the UK and that they might bring many muslims to Jesus too.

Daily action

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Read 'Black Muslims in Britain: Why Are a Growing Number of Young Black People converting to Islam?' by Richard S. Reddie.

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 22: Stop - Transients

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 22 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

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

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Daily verse

“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
— Deuteronomy 10:19 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Stop

My car was in an unusually filthy state, even for me.

I took it down to the manual car washing service round the corner where I was welcomed by a man with an accent and a big smile.

He scrubbed the car as if it was a joy. I asked his name. Ali.

Every time I walked that way I stop to greet him. He seems so pleased that someone should just stop and talk to him.

Who takes any notice of a car washer? He is from Iraqi Kurdistan.

He has worked in various places over the last few years.

He is one of the new population of transients that move amongst us, not in a caravan like traditional gypsies but never truly at home either. He too is a neighbour.

Prayer for the day

Open our eyes to notice the people near our homes but far from theirs. Pray blessing for every person you see or think of.

Daily action

Watch God’s heart for the foreigner

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!

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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.

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 20: Threat - Mosques

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 20 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

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

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Daily verse

“Of David. A psalm.
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;”
— Psalm 24:1 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Threat

How do you feel when you come across a building that was clearly once used as a church now a being used as a mosque?

You see a big sign with strange words like masjid, markaz, ghausia, jalal and so on. Maybe text in a foreign alphabet. Perhaps a sign proclaiming “Islamic Mission”.

If we have any love for the Gospel of Jesus, we must feel something when we see buildings which are the result of the sacrificial faith of folk like us now set apart for Islamic teaching and worship.

In the 30 Days booklet we read of the Bajun whose life is centred around the mosque and who may regard Christians as enemies.

Do we feel threatened when mosques become churches? Are we disturbed?

Here is another question.

Is Jesus Christ any less Lord? Is anyone beyond His reach? When the lost reach out for God, can He not meet them where they are?

Prayer for the day

Lord, deliver us from fear, and resentment. Lead us in love and faith. Glorify your name.

Daily action

Pray that the Lord will meet those who camp in the mosques for the last ten days of Ramadan.

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 19: 7% - Believers from a Muslim Background

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 19 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

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

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Daily verse

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.”
— 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

7%

The 30 Days booklet speaks today of the Muslims of Nepal who make up just 7% of the population, a minority by any measure.

Among them some now follow Jesus in the teeth of strong opposition.

Here in the UK, Muslims probably make up less than 7% but their presence is perhaps more prominent than that number suggests.

And here too people born as Muslims are now following Christ.

The UK the legal system provides for much more freedom of religion.

Some believers have even developed public ministries.

Many others feel the need to keep a low profile.

Still others face rejection and even violence from their community.

We have a particular responsibility to pray for these BMBs (Believers of Muslim Background), to welcome them and to support them wherever we might come across them.

Prayer for the day

Pray that those BMBs living in the UK will know grow in faith love and hope and be a powerful witness to their people and others too.

Daily action

If you have not done so already, consider doing Joining The Family

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 18: Suffer - Shias

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 18 of 30

By Andrew D from Mahabba's Board of Trustees

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

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:5 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Suffer

Twice each month a group of Christians and Muslims in our town meet at a local Shia mosque to study passages from the Bible and Qur’an.

Our purpose is not to engage in debate over which book contains the truth, or even to try and convert each other to a different religion, but simply to ask God what he would reveal to us through the Scriptures (believing of course that the Bible has much to say to each one of us).

One of the themes that most deeply resonates with them is the betrayal and suffering of Jesus, which reminds them of their own founding narrative of the betrayal of Ali and Hussein, and their own suffering as Shias, which they commemorate each year during the month of Muhurram.

They often talk too of the return of Jesus, alongside the Mahdi. May God truly open Shia eyes to the real import of Jesus' death, resurrection and return.

Prayer for the day

About 5% of the UK Muslim population is Shia. Pray for a harvest amongst them

Daily action

Consider offering to study the Scriptures with local Muslims at a mosque in your neighbourhood.

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

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).

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 11: Why not? - Movements

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 11: Why not?

By Gillie from Mahabba's Network Team

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

Daily verse

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
— John 3:8 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Why not?

Stories of Jesus are spreading among the Riau Melayu and people are beginning to follow him

In many other parts of Sumatra, and all over Indonesia, thousands of Muslims are turning to Jesus and following him.

Churches of new believers are planting churches which are planting churches… movements to Jesus are multiplying!

One man was asked why he changed his views and embraced Isa as Saviour and Lord:

For the first time, someone told me about Isa. I had only to compare Isa with what I formerly believed.

Author David Garrison calls it a wind blowing through the House of Islam:

Movements to Jesus are happening in numbers never seen before….. Not limited to a remote corner of the Muslim world, these new communities of believers are widespread, from West Africa’s Sahel to the teeming islands of Indonesia — and everywhere in between.

Why not among the Riau Melayu – and why not here in the UK?

Prayer for the day

Let’s pray some big, God-sized prayers today - that movements to Jesus would continue to grow and that we would see the same birthed here among the Asian communities of the UK.

Daily action

Follow the link below for a five-minute outline (PowerPoint and video) to use in a church service to pray for Muslims:

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 10: Serpent - Lifting up Jesus

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 10: Serpent

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

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,”
— John 3:14 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
 

Thought for the day

Serpent

On Mount Nebo in Jordan there is a giant cross-serpent, bronze sculpture, put there by the Franciscans.

It is a powerful symbol as it stands at the place where Moses looked into the Promised Land but never entered.

The sculpture combines the serpent (Numbers chapter 21) with the Cross of Christ. It is a clever portrayal of Jesus words to Nicodemus:

'Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.' (John 3.14-15).

It was astonishing because it was so visible and so blatant - nothing subtle about it.

And I was reminded of a chorus we sang in my youth:

Lift Jesus higher, lift him up for the world to see. He said if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.

A memorial plaque at the site reads:

'The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.' (John 1:17).

How can we lift Jesus up for Muslims here in UK so they too can see the grace and truth that we have seen?

 

Prayer for the day

Lord I pray that today you would help me lift you higher so you are visible to my Muslim Friends and neighbours and they will be attracted by your grace and truth.

 

Daily action

If you’ve not been to Mount Nebo, you can take a little YouTube tour

 

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 8: Live - Ismailis

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 8: Live

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

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
— Philippians 2:9-11 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
 

Thought for the day

Live

My dentist is an Ismaili Muslim. Like other Ismailis, he is peace loving and wants to do what he can to improve the quality of life of others. He and his wife are keen supporters of work among poor communities in Central Asia like the Chiwar people featured today in the guide.

When in South Asia I met and worked with Ismailis - gracious people establishing schools, health centres and a variety of community development projects for the common good of all as encouraged by their Imam-spiritual leader, the Aga Khan. He is the 49th Imam and a British national.

The Ismailis, a branch of Shia Islam, are the only Muslims to have as their leader a hereditary descendant of Muhammad; it is the presence of ‘the living Imam’ that makes the community unique.

Ismailis need to encounter Jesus and come to know him, the only living Lord and Saviour. Let’s make that our prayer today for those living here in the UK.

 

Prayer for the day

Pray that Ismaili Muslims will meet followers of Jesus, hear spiritual truth, have revelation of who Jesus is and come to know him as their living Saviour and Lord.

 

Daily action

How about hosting a Night of Power prayer time later in Ramadan? Follow the link for an outline to help lead Christians in praying on a special night for Muslims.

 

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 7: Home - Africans in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 7: Home

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

 

Daily verse

“And they sang a new song, saying:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
— Revelation 5:9 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
 

Thought for the day

Home

Last year I found myself in a traffic jam in London.

In front of me was a van offering door to door deliveries, London to Accra, Ghana. Africa is connected with the UK as never before.

In the 30 Day booklet we read of some African Muslims who have never met a Christian.

Have any of us never met an African Christian?

The fire of African Christianity is burning in the UK and many of our readers are African.

I recently met  three Nigerian pastors working in the UK . “How,” they were asking each other “Do we help our people win their neighbours? They have faith, and zeal but they mainly win their own.”

They are often living side by side with Muslims. The attraction of a home-from-home-type church is great and leaders wrestle with the challenge of  unreached neighbours all around them.

People like these three African pastors have a real role in restoring faith in Britain.

 

Prayer for the day

Lord, bless the many diaspora churches in the UK and make them ever more fruitful.

 

Daily action

Read this article on ‘reverse mission’ in the UK

 

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

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