For today’s prayer focus, on this 24th Day of Ramadan, in addition to joining the 30-Days community in praying for the Kho People,  I’d like to focus our attention on repentance and reconciliation.   I urge you first to read the following article Islamophobia in the Church? (http://warrenlarson.wordpress.com/), and then do some soul searching.

Prayer Suggestions:

1.  If you have harbored any hatred or negative feelings towards any Neighbors, confess that now and repent of that.  As God to help you truly LOVE your Neighbors.

2. If you have been afraid of Neighbors in any way, confess your fear and ask God to give you a heart of faith and love to overcome that fear.

3. If you know about any Neighbors in your immediate community that you have been afraid to talk with or get to know…..or whom you have simply not wanted to meet…..ask God to open doors of friendship with those Neighbors.

4. On behalf of The Church, repent and ask God to forgive the church for our lack of love and concern for Neighbors, and ask God to raise up many more laborers to serve amongst Neighbor people, both at home and abroad.

5.  Ask God to help you be a peacemaker, and a voice of peace, love and courage to your church, family and community.

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son…(Hebrews 11:17)

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;
and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams….
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:17)

This is a time of celebration, remembrance and sacrifice for Neighbors all over the world. Even now, millions are making their way to Mecca for the Hajj. For many, this is a tremendous financial and physical sacrifice. At the close of the Hajj, most Neighbors around the world will celebrate Eid Ul Adha, “The Festival of Sacrifice.” These events are great opportunities for us to get to know our Neighbors, learn from them, and celebrate with them.

Last year a Neighbor friend invited me to a mosque near my home to observe Eid Ul Adha (Korban), where they sacrificed 144 sheep. (It was actually more like a butcher shop, run very orderly, humanely, and hygienically.) Afterwards, I then had the privilege of sitting with Neighbors from many countries to feast on “mutton byrani.” As we ate together from the communal dish, I was able to share about my relationship with Isa al Masih (the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world).

Pray for open doors for you and other believers to be engaged with Neighbors during these important festivals. In order to be better prepared to pray and participate, we are sharing more info today about the meaning and practice of Eid Ul Adha from our Neighbor’s perspective. There are things we can affirm, and bridges for connecting our friends to Christ. Following this information are some prayer points to focus on today.

Eid Ul Adha

The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim‘s willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to

Ibrahim’s sacrifice

God appeared in a dream to Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Isma’il. Ibrahim and Isma’il set off to Mina for the sacrifice. As they went, the devil attempted to persuade Ibrahim to disobey God and not to sacrifice his beloved son. But Ibrahim stayed true to God, and drove the devil away. As Ibrahim prepared to kill his son God stopped him and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead.

Celebrations

Ibrahim’s complete obedience to the will of God is celebrated by Neighbors each year. Each Neighbor, as they celebrate, reminds themselves of their own submission to God, and their own willingness to sacrifice anything to God’s wishes. During the festival Neighbors who can afford to, sacrifice domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibraham’s sacrifice.

The meat is distributed among family, friends and the poor, who each get a third share.

** It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Neighbors, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: “It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him.” (Qur’an 22:37)

The symbolism is in the attitude – a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Neighbor, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah’s commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Even though most Neighbors focus on ABRAHAM’s willingness to submit to God and give sacrificially, we can pray that their hearts be turned to the LAMB (the Korban) and it’s full meaning, as intended by God. (Genesis 22)
2. May they come to understand that it is not our sacrifice, or our works that save us, but only God’s provision and grace. (Eph. 2:8-9; Galations 3).
3. May their observance of the sacrifice, open their eyes to their own need for a korban (an atoning sacrifice).
4. Pray for those who are working and living amongst Neighbors that they will have an effective witness, especially during these special holidays and celebrations.
5. May there be special times of reconciliation during these holidays where there is conflict and fighting (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Iran, etc)

I was reading from Ezekiel in my quiet time this morning and came across this familiar, challenging passage in Ezekiel. It reminded me of the importance of intercession on behalf of other people, and it made me grateful for all those “praying neighbors” like you who do “stand in the gap” on behalf of others. I commend you for caring enough for others to intercede for them during these 30 Days of Prayer. And I pray that you too have learned some lessons as you’ve prayed for Neighbors through this season of Ramadan.

In my interactions with Neighbors around me, I have learned to appreciate four main things about Ramadan. These can also serve as today’s prayer points.

1. Spiritual disciplines (like fasting and prayer) are necessary in our pursuit of real relationship with God (read Jeremiah 29:12-13; and Acts 10). Before we find fault with the shortcomings and hypocrisies of other religions, let us first make sure we are disciplined and sincere in our own own walk with God. PRAY that those who have been genuinely seeking God during this time of Ramadan will have experienced (and will continue to experience) a breakthrough in their understanding of who God is. May they continue to seek him fervently even after the fast.
   
2. We all seek and need blessings. Neighbors often seek special blessings (baraka) during Ramadan. PRAY that neighbors would continue to seek and find TRUE blessings, that ultimately only come through Jesus Christ. And DO something practical to bless them yourself. (read Genesis 12:1-3; 1 Chronicles 4:10; and Ephesians 1:3)
3. Family is high priority. Ramadan is a great time for family gatherings, reunions, feasts, and fellowship. It’s a wonderful experience to “break the fast” with neighbor families, where you get to meet extended family. PRAY that your Neighbors and their “entire household” might come experience membership in God’s family through Jesus Christ. And INVITE them into your home to experience your family gatherings. (read 2 Samuel 6:11; Acts 10:23-48 ; 16:31-34 ; 18:8 )
4. Celebration is the spice of life! Celebration is a huge part of most Neighbor families during Ramadan. At the end of the day, after fasting from food, water and other physical things, it is a wonderful celebration to “break the fast” with family and friends and enjoy a feast together. Each Neighbor community has a prescribed time of the day (after sun down) when they are allowed to eat. The break fast begins with a call to prayer, and the meal normally begins with a few dates or healthy soups or drinks. God loves celebration and He continually called / calls on His people to celebrate and commemorate His activities and events. PRAY that God’s kindness (his creation, blessing, provision) would lead our Neighbors to repentance (read Romans 2:4)….that they too will join every tribe, language and nation to celebrate at the feast of the Lamb (read Revelations 5:11-13). And INVITE a Neighbor to celebrate one of your family or spiritual holidays with you.

As we continue to pray for Neighbors around us, and around the world, may we pray with hope. God’s salvation plan IS being accomplished amongst the nations, as people daily are being drawn by His Spirit to seek Him and place their faith in Him.

REMEMBER, today is the 7th day of Ramadan. If you haven’t done so already, I urge you to register for daily prayer updates from 30-Days of Prayer.

1. Pray for the Kaili Unde, a small but not forgotten people in the province of Central Sulawesi in Indonesia:

• For an openness and a willingness to obey the Gospel (Rom. 1:5 and 16:26)
• That they can hear and see the Indonesian Christian radio and TV programs and thus find a way to Christ.
• That the power of darkness and enslavement to spirits be broken and their eyes opened, so that the Kaili Unde can be freed (Acts 10:38; 26:18).

2. Continue to intercede for Daud. He is now out of the hospital, but still under observation and medical care. He is sending and receiving SMS (text messages) that indicate his great appreciation for prayer, and openness to dialogue about Christ. May this time of illness be a turning point in his life where he calls on the name of Jesus for healing, physically and spiritually. May God’s presence be very real to him through Christian visitors, literature, dreams and visions.

3. Today, August 28 — in one of our creative areas with majority Neighbor population — our team members are beginning a series of seminars to enlighten and train Christian laity and pastors to be more effective at working among neighbors. The second seminar will occur in October. The plan is to go to every zone to increase the acceptance and understanding of new paradigms for neighbors among our established pastors as well as teach them new attitudes and methods. Through these, may God call, raise up and equip many new laborers for the harvest.

4. Pray for Luis, who wants God to take over his business so that he can be used as a servant of God’s people and help them. Luis also asks for God’s direction and provision in his relationships. May he find contentment first in his relationship with Christ, to be the man that God wants him to be, and be a light and witness to his neighbors.

5.  Next week, 2-4 September, several key broadcast organizations will be meeting in a creative location in Asia to discuss strategies and partnerships to more effectively reach Neighbors in Indonesia with relevant, contextualized methods and messages.  Pray for God’s wisdom to be with these 15-20 ministry leaders.

As Jesus so plainly stated in the Gospels, the world is in great need of peacemakers. Men and women who speak the truth in LOVE…not to win arguments but to develop redemptive relationships.

With unrest, distrust, animosity, accusation so commonplace around the world (in Pakistan, XinJiang, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, North Korea, Sudan, Mindanao, etc, etc) we need to plead with God to raise up ambassadors of reconciliation. And we need to do everything we can, where we are, to be agents of grace and peace.

1. Pray for those who are currently involved in relation-building, redemptive dialogues amongst neighbors. (To learn more about this method, continue reading at the end of the blog after the prayer requests).

• Last week Ann gave M her first Bible, which she graciously received. Today, Ann is meeting with M for lunch to begin a Bible study with her. Pray that Ann has wisdom to know what Scripture to share with M. Pray that Ann is hungry, open and receptive to the Word of Truth.
• Pray for D as he teaches a monthly course on Christian-Neighbor engagement in a Neighbor-majority nation. For the next five months they will be comparing the two religions, to set the stage for inter-religious dialogue with Neighbor friends.
• Lift up D this Sunday July 19, as he speaks at a mosque in his city. His ustad (Neighbor religious teacher) friend and D will discuss what Christianity and Islam have in common. This will hopefully be the first of many such dialogues in D’s city.
• Pray for a couple who were scheduled to move this week to a major gateway city in Asia, to work amongst the large Neighbor population in that city. They had secured employment, visas, housing and were ready to go….but violence broke out in that city two weeks ago and the situation there remains very delicate. So for now the couple is waiting and seeking God’s timing. During this period of waiting, may God continue to work in the lives of the men and women of peace in that city, whom this couple has already developed relationships with.

2. One of our key couples in Indonesia, who have worked hard to build great relationships with Neighbors in their community, have been hit with a recent death in their family. Pray for them as they travel in the next few weeks to attend her father’s funeral and comfort family members. May this tragedy allow them an open door to express the hope of eternal life when they return to their community.

3. From the current issue of Intercede:

• for a Ghanian who is currently imprisoned in Libya. He’d been sentenced in 2001 to 25 years for importing Bibles. May he be a true ambassador of Christ, whether he remains in prison or is released. May many inmates and guards come to know Christ through his life and testimony.
• for increasing numbers of Neighbors to hunger for spiritual truth and the possibility of knowing God personally, being assured of salvation, and having sins forgiven.
• for Christians in Indonesia that they will continue to be Kingdom citizens and peacemakers, in spite of local governments attempts to pass Sharia-inspired laws. Pray for a spirit of boldness, grace and love in the midst of opposition.

******************

Here are some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about dialogue, and one person’s expert opinion of how dialogue should work:

1. What is Christian-Neighbor dialogue?

It is a means of relating to Neighbors based on understanding and discovery rather than preaching and debate. A monologue is one way communication, usually expressed by a sermon or presentation, usually unsolicited.

For religions hostile to Christianity, monologues seldom get an audience. Dialogue, on the other hand, creates a level playing field that reflects the globalisation and transparency of our age.

2. Why should we do this?

Due to the big gap of mutual suspicion between Christianity and Islam, some Christians who feel God’s heart for the nations, have come to realise a need for creating common ground with Neighbors that would lead to genuine friendships.

This is sometimes done through sports, social action or any other avenue of engagement that opens the door for dialogue. But for those who have natural friendships (or have created intentional contacts) with Neighbor intellectuals and religious leaders, dialogue on religious doctrine or theology can be a preferred common ground.

3. How does it work?

It starts with an organised attempt to listen and understand where each other is coming from – our worldviews and our religious differences. As we do this over a period of time, God breaks down prejudices and we become friends. Strong friendships carry the weight of the gospel – who Jesus is and what He has done.

4. How can you help?

• Using your imagination, you can PRAY for those involved in relation-building activities and dialogues with neighbors.
• You can open your eyes and ears to opportunities for relationship with neighbors in your own community (at the store, at school, in the office, next door, on the playing field, at the gym, etc, etc). Be intentional. Be prayerful. Be a student of God’s word. Then Start with your common interests, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations. You are not out to win a debate, but to win a true friend.

Other resources on Christian-Neighbor Dialogue:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2009/spring/ministrylessonsfromamuslim.html?start=1

I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted,
and the train of his robe filled the temple.
Above him were seraphs…and they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook
and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips,
and I live among a people of unclean lips,
and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

Every morning on my way to work, I pass two large mosques. Today, as I passed and saw people entering for their ritual prayers (salat), I was struck by the thought of Isaiah, the Old Testament priest and prophet. Isaiah was a devout, religious man, entering the temple in his day (entering the “Holy of Holies” as a high priest no less). Isaiah was probably not expecting an encounter with the Lord that day…perhaps he was just doing his religious duty…going through the motions…. But God had other plans. God showed up unexpectedly with a powerful vision that changed Isaiah’s life, launched his prophetic ministry and impacted the course of human history. So, as I passed by the mosques today I cried out to God for an unexpected outpouring of His presence upon the Imams (spiritual leaders) and worshipers that they too might see the Lord “high and lifted up” and come to a realization that they (like all of us) are “people with unclean lips” in need of a Savior….That all their “righteousness” (religious rituals and routines) are as rags….and they be struck with a sense of spiritual discontent that will drive them to seek the Lord and call on the name of the One prophesied about in the Book of Isaiah. Let’s pray together for this kind of powerful visitation of God’s Spirit on neighbors all around the world .

1. Intercede for neighbors who are praying today at the Al Raudhah and Darussalam mosques in my city. Then find out the names of the mosques in your own community and pray for the people gathering there. Also ask God to open up doors for you to visit your nearest mosque and get to know your neighbors there.

2. Praise God for answered prayers! Our colleagues who have relocated to a key gateway city to work with neighbors, just sent us an exciting update: “We arrived in the city early this week. A few days ago we met with the head of the school where we were applying for teaching positions. Within a few minutes we realized that the administration was offering us both part-time contracts. The school will provide our visas and work permits! We are rejoicing that this schedule will allow us time and energy for developing meaningful and long-lasting friendships.” Please continue to lift up this precious couple and their new friends, colleagues and students. May the Lord grant them many disciples in this city of three million.

3. Praise God for these recent reports from Jesus Film teams in a creative access area, and pray for the growth of these new believers:

• TEAM A – Praise the Lord, this month a young mother accepted Christ after watching the JF. Pray for her. Her husband is not a believer and she is frightened to tell him. Her husband works in a neighboring country and comes home infrequently.
• TEAM B – We have a new team showing the JF in the new area. There has been a lot of interest and we have showed the film to a lot of people. At this point the people have just shown interest–so far no one has accepted Christ. Pray for us as we continue to show the film in this area.
• TEAM C – This month a young man accepted Christ as we have been discipling him. He has expressed his desire to be baptized which in our context is a very significant public statement of faith. He is coming from a village that is most made up of followers of the majority religion here.

4. Rejoice with a young couple serving amongst neighbors in another creative are. This week they started meetings at their home. Several of their pre-believing friends have expressed interest in the Gospel and they are eager to come. They expect to have 5-7 friends at their first meeting, with several more saying they want to come in the future. This couple is so excited to finally feel like we can begin to reach out and expand on the friendships they have made. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

5. Pray for Rooz and his son Rady. They were recently given a Christian book, a Manga Messiah comic book, a Bible and a Jesus Film DVD, and have shown great interest in knowing more about Isa al Masih. They met with a believing friend this week and told him, “we still have so many questions,” and requested for future meetings. Intercede for Rooz’s spiritual hunger to increase, and also ask the Lord to provide a new job for Rooz, and for complete recovery for his wife who has been suffering from cancer.

6. From this week’s Intercede Magazine, please pray…

• …for NBBs (Neighbor Background Believers) across the Islmc world. Pray they would find fellowship and opportunity
  for discipleship, despite what are often the most extreme and dangerous circumstances
• …for increasing numbers of Neighbors to hunger for spiritual truth and the possibility of knowing God personally, being
  assured of salvation, and having sins forgiven.
• …for NBBs in Libya. Several news reports recently described four NBBs tortured by Libyan police as apostates. May these four and their fellow believers respond as the apostles, “rejoicing because they have been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” And may they too, “Day after day, in the market place and from house to house, never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

On this Good Friday, in many parts of our world it remains a dark day, as many find themselves in situations of unbearable sorrow, turmoil, brokenness and despair.    It is for these places and these precious people that Christ came, suffered, died, and rose again.    Let us lift up neighbors all over the world today, and in our own communities, with the hope that by Christ’s wounds they too will be healed.

• In the past several days, new waves of violence have struck Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq… with numerous attacks and suicide bombings in mosques and market places, wounding and killing many.  May we not become callous to the suffering of neighbors in these difficult places.   Only Christ can set them free from this cycle of violence and bring them true peace.   Pray that Christ’s church continues to be an instrument of peace in these strife-torn areas

• Thank God for young people like Marni, in Indonesia, who is involved in a non-traditional ministry group designed to reach neighbors.  These teams travel into areas steeped in culture and tradition that is often quite unfriendly to Biblical truth — places where traditional forms of ministry were likely to grow.  She and her team walk long distances and cross cultural and language barriers in order to build friendships with those they meet. On one of her team’s recent visits they were disappointed to find that one of their long-time contacts was not at home.  After they had walked quite a distance from his house, he came from behind on his motorcycle, honking his horn at them.  He hoped they would come back to his home.  He had missed seeing them for the last few weeks.  They returned to his home and shared a verse of Scripture with the family.  In the past he has frequently debated what they read in an effort to justify his way of life.  This time he sat quietly.  The Word was causing him to think new thoughts.  He admitted that he had been living only for himself.   Pray for Marni and her team, and for this man and his family who are close to the Kingdom

• Pray for Sam as he continues to serve up noodles from his street-corner stall, in a neighbor community in Indonesia, that through his loving service and kind words many of his customers would become hungry for the Living Bread and Water.

• Continue to lift up our colleagues in transition to a major gateway city to live and work amongst a key Unreached People Group.   Between now and August they have much to do, securing work visas, full-time employment, learning the language, strengthening relationships with men and women of peace

• Pray for believers ministering to Neighbors this Easter weekend.   Colleagues in Singapore are inviting neighbors over for a meal, egg hunt, and opportunity to share the “Resurrection Eggs” story.   Pray that their friends will be open to the truth of the Gospel.

From this week’s Intercede Magazine, please pray…..

• …for the Neighbors of Somalia. Fighting continues to destabilize the region, and daily life is a struggle for millions of Somalians. Approximately one-third of the population is dependent on foreign food aid.
• …for the Neighbors of Gaza to hear witness of Jesus Christ. Pray that despite political turmoil, the gospel would be heard in this troubled spot.
• …for radio and satellite broadcasts reaching Saudi Arabia. Pray for a genuine move of the Lord in this closed country.  Read about the ways God is already answering this prayer through World Mission Broadcast
  ( http://www.ncnnews.com/nphweb/html/ncn/article.jsp?sid=10000008&id=10007001 )

Urgent prayer is requested for Nazarenes in Orissa and other Christians suffering at this time. Pray also for the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and JESUS Film staff who are currently preparing to respond and help wherever they can.

Orphanage set ablaze by angry mob.

As the violence continues to spread in Orissa, India, many Christians remain in hiding after days of riots that have left many dead and countless Christian homes and churches burnt or destroyed.

Last week, two Nazarene congregations were mourning the death of their pastors–Purna Digal of the Baliguda Church of the Nazarene and Purendra Digal of the Bataguda Church of the Nazarene. Both pastors were killed by a mob on Friday night, August 29, and their churches burned and homes destroyed while the villagers fled into the jungle. Both were leaders of the JESUS Film church mission group in Orissa.

In similar incidents, Nazarene churches in at least six villages were burned down and homes of countless Nazarene families were destroyed or burned by the angry mobs.

Visit NCNnews for more details: http://www.ncnnews.com/nphweb/html/ncn/article.jsp?id=10006338

We can pray as Jesus prayed for his disciples in John 17:

“Faither, our  prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that you keep them by Your name and protect them from the evil one…Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
As you sent (Christ) into the world, (continue to send) them into the world….(may) they too may be truly sanctified.” (JOHN 17:14-19)

A donation account has been established through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in the General Treasurer’s Office. All funds should be forwarded noting the account “India Civil Unrest-AMC1600″ to the General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. Those desiring to send funds after September 10, 2008, please use the new address: General Treasurer Church of the Nazarene, Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66220. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Online donating will be available shortly at ncm.org.
–NCM