English Intercede

When it comes to Christians reaching out to Muslim people, one of the most common questions is,"How can I best share Christ with a Muslim?" The answer is not so simple because not all Muslims are the same. Islam embraces a global community of adherents who come from a wide assortment of national cultures, Islamic sects, religious practices, and social strata. Some Muslims are extremely conservative and, therefore, suspicious of Western ways. Conversely, some Muslims pride themselves as modernists and are quick to identify with contemporary trends.

There has been much discussion in recent months about the character and values of Muslims, generally, and Arab Muslims, in particular. Often questions have been posed, such as: "Are Arab Muslims friendly, hospitable people or are they hostile fanatics, wanting to kill every Christian they meet??

One significant difference between Muslims, in general, and Western Christians, in particular, is their time orientation. Westerners are basically future-oriented. Not only do we dream and plan for the future, but we delight to tread where none have gone before. We pride ourselves in being great explorers, inventors, and innovators that lead to new discoveries, new methods, new fashions, and new fads. We learn to live in a flux of constant change because change has become for us a mark of progress, and forward progress is viewed as good and necessary for human survival and improvement.

For millions of Americans, the word jihad elicits images of Iranians seizing the American Embassy in Tehran, Israeli buses destroyed by bombs, and hijacked airliners crashing into the World Trade Towers. We are left bewildered as to why anyone would perpetrate such acts against a "Christian" nation that feeds much of the world and sends millions of aid dollars to the very ones who despise us.

"For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things. No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil." (Isaiah 59:3-4)
Wherever CMM personnel travel, especially in the Muslim world, the issue that most often takes center stage is the need for peace in Palestine.

Since the tragedy of September 11, many black young adults have taken an even greater interest in Islam. One pastor, whose congregation in Chicago consists almost entirely of African-Americans, says, "Before the event, the congregation had 3 members who converted to orthodox Islam, so the appeal of Islam is not unprecedented. It has always made its mark in the black community of Chicago. But since 9/11, the number of members converting to the Muslim faith has reached up to 23 per month.

Hagar. Single mother. Victim of forced sex. Abandoned in the desert with no child support. Yet an integral part of the story of Abraham, that great leader of faith. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all trace their heritage through Abraham. Originally, Hagar was a slave. Her owner was Sarah, Abraham's wife. But Sara was infertile. For years she struggled to get pregnant. After awhile it was heartbreaking. Finally, still determined to have children in the house, Sarah did what she thought was the next best thing: she pushed Hagar at Abraham.

Terrorism, suicide missions, the collapse of the Twin Towers, America strikes back, anthrax--these are all words and phrases that have haunted us ever since the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Even though these acts of terrorism reflect the most extreme interpretation of Islamic ideology to which most Muslim do not ascribe, many Americans have associated these acts with the Muslim community at large. Even Christians have found themselves avoiding Muslim people, not realizing that the recent events have compelled many Muslims to seriously examine their own beliefs.

I have a heartfelt concern that the Muslim clerics and spokesperson whom the American people continue to see and hear on television are able to create a perception of Islam that is not fully accurate. We have been assured that what happened on September 11, 2001, is an aberration and does not represent true Islam. Often jihad (struggle or exertion) is discussed as if it were a strange phenomenon and an uncommon term to Muslims.

"Why should God choose to have me pray for lost Muslims who live half way around the world? Many of them are labeled as terrorists, or at least have strange ideas and customs. Only the Lord know if they can really be saved." ​
Have you ever said something like this, or at least thought it? Let me tell you about a person who might have been so labeled because she belonged to a people group that would be unlikely to even hear the gospel, let along respond to it. Yet one day, she came to Christ.

The Qur'an acknowledges that Allah is closer than one's jugular vein, yet he seems so distant, so unreachable, and so inaccessible. Numerous times each day, devout Muslims recite, Bismillah-ir Rahman-ir Rahim (In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate). They desperately want God to be merciful and compassionate, yet countless Muslims dread his unpredictable acts.

It makes no difference what direction we travel -- whether it be Latin America, Africa, Asia, Asia Pacific, or even Europe -- we are encountering an incredible move of God among believers. The church in many emerging nations is experiencing a great spiritual revival...a revival God is using to expand his end-time labor force.