Transcript Love on its Knees

‘There is no fear in love’ 1 John 4:18
The fear of Islam and of Muslims is growing among
Christians in Britain. Love on its Knees seeks to
reduce this fear and to increase Christians' love for
Muslim people.
The Lord Jesus calls us to love our neighbours.
Love on its Knees is a call to the church to put this
command into practice by committing to pray for
and bless our Muslim neighbours.
Ramadan
22 August ─ 20 September 2009
Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting, when
many Muslims seek God through fasting and prayer.
Every year, stories emerge of how Jesus answers
these prayers by revealing Himself to Muslims in
dreams and visions.
For Christians living in the Muslim world, however,
Ramadan can be a very difficult time, when they face
increased opposition from the Muslim community.
Please pray
• Pray that many Muslim people would encounter
Jesus and come to faith in Him during Ramadan
• Ask God to use Christian radio and satellite TV
programmes to help Muslims to find the
freedom that only Christ can bring
• Pray for Christians living in Muslim countries.
Ask God to give them boldness to share their
faith with their Muslim neighbours.
Islam in Britain
There are about 2.4 million Muslims living in Britain
today. As this number grows, so does the fear many
British people have about Muslim culture.
Cultural misunderstandings and the isolation of many
Muslim communities mean that many British
Christians do not know how to make friends with
Muslims. Education is needed to address fear and
create platforms where positive relationships can be
built – in schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.
Please pray
• Pray against the fear that many British people
have of Islam and Muslim culture
• Pray that Christians would build genuine
friendships with Muslim people and
demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways
• Pray that ongoing dialogue between Christian
and Muslim leaders in this nation will be fruitful.
Source: 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
Iran
In 2008 a crackdown on house churches saw more
than 50 Christians arrested, interrogated and beaten.
Following the controversial re-election of President
Ahmadinejad, Christians fear a new wave of
repression.
But despite opposition, the church is growing. It is
estimated that there are now more than 100,000
believers from a Muslim background. Many Iranian
Christians see the recent crisis as an opportunity to
share the gospel with a new generation that is tired
of the forcing of the Islamic religion on people.
Please pray
• Ask God to comfort new believers who have been
driven from their families and communities
because of their faith
• Pray that those who are in prison for their faith
would be given strength to stand firm in Christ
• Praise God that the government has stepped back
from approving a mandatory death sentence
(for men) for apostasy. Pray that the authorities will
allow greater freedom for religious minorities.
Egypt
The church in Egypt has been in existence since
the first century, yet evangelical churches in
particular face constant pressure from the
government. Many Christians face discrimination
in education and employment.
Muslim-background believers often come under
great pressure from their families and communities
to return to Islam. Some face violence and death
threats.
Please pray
• Pray for the church as it supports those becoming
Christians from a Muslim background
• Ask God to give wisdom to those involved in
producing and broadcasting Christian satellite TV
programmes and Arabic websites
• In 2008 the Supreme Court upheld an appeal
allowing a Christian to change the religion on their
ID card from Muslim to Christian. Pray that this
would be the first of many such rulings.
A prayer for Muslim people
by Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali
Our Lord and heavenly Father, as we pray for ourselves,
we pray also for our Muslim friends and fellow-citizens,
that they may at this time truly come to know you, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
We ask that they may come not only to know you, but to
worship you, to be so filled with your Holy and Life-Giving
Spirit that they may be awakened in their inward being
and so gain those spiritual riches that you desire both for
them and for us.
All of this we ask in the name of, and for the sake of,
Jesus Christ, your Eternal Word, who creates and
redeems and sends the Spirit of God among us. Amen.