...Let us pray for the people of that nation.
Let us pray for peace.
Let us pray that the Iranians will have a government that respects human dignity and seeks what is truly good for the people.
Let us pray for the Christians in that nation to somehow exert a peaceful influence well beyond their small numbers.
Let us pray that the Iranian Muslims, Jews, Baha'is, nominal Christians, etc. will be open, because of their current circumstances, to the true peace that comes only from the Gospel.
Let us pray for our home nations and for Iran:
V. Show us Thy mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us Thy salvation.
V. Endue Thy ministers with righteousness;
R. And make Thy chosen people joyful.
V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in Thee can we live in safety.
V. Lord, keep this nation under Thy care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V. Let Thy way be known upon the earth;
R. Thy saving health among all nations.
V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us with Thy Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Showing posts with label Outreach to Muslims. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Outreach to Muslims. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, September 29, 2008
The final two days of prayer for Ramadan 2008...
...today's link:
Caribbean Suriname = 20% Muslim
...tomorrow's link:
Ahmedabad India: Economically marginalized Muslims in Gujarat State
You know, these may not be the final prayers. The 30 Day organization may post follow-ups. I'll link to them, if so.
Thanks to all who are praying/have prayed.
Caribbean Suriname = 20% Muslim
...tomorrow's link:
Ahmedabad India: Economically marginalized Muslims in Gujarat State
You know, these may not be the final prayers. The 30 Day organization may post follow-ups. I'll link to them, if so.
Thanks to all who are praying/have prayed.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
I am very bad at updating the prayer links!
I hope everyone is following along at the home page for the prayer effort.
Prayer for September 26--Oops! I made a mistake! The prayer I listed for day 25 was for day 26! So, in place of the proper day 26 prayer, I substitute the skipped day 25 prayer:
Modern Tanzania: Changing Times among the Rangi People
Day 27 -- this is yesterday's prayer. And this is prayer for the day I really, really hoped people would pray because the 27th day of Ramadan is the Night of Power. I'm sorry I forgot to post the link (AND I forgot to pray myself!)
SAT-7 Kids: A new TV channel for the children of the Arab world
And for Sunday, September 28:
Outreach forbidden in Africa's Comoros Islands -- 98% Muslim
One of the things I like about prayer is that, even if we forget or are unable to pray about something before or during the time it is happening, we can always pray about it later. We are limited by time and space, but God is not.
Prayer for September 26--Oops! I made a mistake! The prayer I listed for day 25 was for day 26! So, in place of the proper day 26 prayer, I substitute the skipped day 25 prayer:
Modern Tanzania: Changing Times among the Rangi People
Day 27 -- this is yesterday's prayer. And this is prayer for the day I really, really hoped people would pray because the 27th day of Ramadan is the Night of Power. I'm sorry I forgot to post the link (AND I forgot to pray myself!)
SAT-7 Kids: A new TV channel for the children of the Arab world
And for Sunday, September 28:
Outreach forbidden in Africa's Comoros Islands -- 98% Muslim
One of the things I like about prayer is that, even if we forget or are unable to pray about something before or during the time it is happening, we can always pray about it later. We are limited by time and space, but God is not.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
"To be Somali is to be Muslim."
Life in Somalia: Day 24 of Ramadan (yesterday's Ramadan prayer).
One Language, Many Tribes: Pakistan's Hindko Speakers (today's Ramadan prayer).
One Language, Many Tribes: Pakistan's Hindko Speakers (today's Ramadan prayer).
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
My ISP is down for a few days.
I'm posting this from my parents' computer. Since the ISP might be down until early next week, I'm updating the prayer links through
Prayers for Day 12 of Ramadan.
Kairouan, Tunisia: Oldest Islamic City of Northwest Africa
Prayers for Day 13.
The Aimaq of Afghanistan and Iran
Prayers for Day 14.
A Great Opportunity in Bangkok
Prayer for Day 15.
The Kanuir, living in Nigeria, Niger, and Chad
Prayers for Day 12 of Ramadan.
Kairouan, Tunisia: Oldest Islamic City of Northwest Africa
Prayers for Day 13.
The Aimaq of Afghanistan and Iran
Prayers for Day 14.
A Great Opportunity in Bangkok
Prayer for Day 15.
The Kanuir, living in Nigeria, Niger, and Chad
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Today We Remember...
Today, We Remember…
I still remember vividly the attacks of September 11, 2001. I was at work, not listening to NPR, or any radio show/station, which was very unusual for me at that time of day. Someone from the office came out into the warehouse and told us about the first plane hit. I didn't realize even then how serious the situation was, and delayed turning on the radio until the second plane hit. I don't remember which came first, the plane crashing in Pennsylvania or the Pentagon attack, but I called my mom after they both occurred. She was still sleeping at the time. After she said "Hello", I told her what was happening and to turn on the television. I kept listening to the radio all day. My dad went home from his job to be with my mom, and my sister and her three children went over there, too. I wish I had joined them, but nobody from my workplace went home, and, even though I really wanted to be with my family, I stayed at work, not that we got very much done that day.
I remember thinking, "The World Trade Center is hit, two planes crashed into it and the towers are burning, some people have already died, but they're evacuating and it will turn out okay for most of the people today."
Then the towers fell.
I don't even know how to describe the sinking feeling I got in my gut when that happened. There was a Lutheran church not far from my workplace, so I called their office and asked if they were open for people to come pray. The lady on the phone told me that they had just decided one minute before I called to open the church up for prayer. So I went for a while. When I got back to the warehouse, my boss told me he was surprised that I came back. I'm not sure why my co-workers were not as affected as I was by what happened, but it hit me hard. My boss took it better than any of us did, but he'd spent twenty years in the navy and had been in combat. Some of my co-workers, and I must admit that I'm still somewhat upset over this, decided that their news source for the day was Howard Stern!
Many Christians, myself included, hoped that America would wake up and turn back to God, but that didn't really happen. Many New Yorkers have been affected and have re-prioritized their lives, concentrating more on God, friends, and family, but there wasn't a wide-spread spiritual renewal in that city, either. Our churches were packed for only a few weeks.
It seems that God intended through this tragedy, not a loud and general triumphant "revival" for the United States of America, but "the hidden sanctification" of a few souls. Of course, we see only a small portion of what goes on, and we cannot know whom God changed through that event, or for what purpose. Sometimes, it takes a generation or two for God's plan to become evident. I think of Mr. Edward D. Kimball, a Sunday School teacher at Mount Vernon Congregational Church in Boston, Massachusetts, I believe. Mr. Kimball never did any thing "extraordinary" in his life, but one day he led D.L. Moody to Christ. And look at Louie and Zélie Martin – ordinary Christian parents who gave birth to a Saint (and whose cause for sainthood is being explored). Perhaps something like that will come from the 9/11 tragedy. Who knows?
In the meantime, let us pray for the United States.
O God, I ask, in the Holy and Powerful Name of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that You will bless America by bringing the Christians in Her to repentance for our sins. May we reject and renounce the materialism in our lives, the selfishness, greed, and gluttony with which we fill our days. May we seek to know and love You, and seek to know and love our neighbors, and welcome them into Your family. May we remember that true riches are found in virtuous lives lived for Your glory, and that the riches of this world are given to our stewardship to further Your kingdom. And that even being good stewards builds Your kingdom. May we live courageous lives of charity and chastity in the public square, and, lest people think that we are so great and not You, may we be unafraid to speak of Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection, what He means to us, how He changes us, how He loves u, and how He loves our fellow-citizens.
As we approach this election, may You guide our hearts and minds that we may vote for people and policies that are in accord with Your eternal and unchanging law. And may we remember that our hope does not lie in who our President is and which political party controls the Congress and what judges are on the Supreme Court, but our hope is in Jesus Christ and in Your promises to us through Him. May we remember that, in addition to voting into government men and women of character and integrity who will support the passing of good laws, that we must serve our family, friends, and neighbors. May we remember that it is more important for us to support crisis pregnancy centers than it is to protest public funding of Planned Parenthood. May we remember that is more important to befriend the men at the gay bar down the street than it is to boycott companies with domestic partner policies. May we remember that it is more important to visit the abandoned persons in nursing homes than it is to ensure adequate government oversight of the facilities they live in. May we remember that people are much more important than politics (but may we never forget that politics is important, too).
As we pray for America, asking that Your kingdom be furthered in Her, may we remember that Your kingdom will last for ever, whereas our nation will endure but for a time. May we remember that Your kingdom transcends all earthly kingdoms, and may we therefore pray for all people in all nations on earth. May we remember our brethren in Iraq who suffer at the hands of the Muslim majority of their country because of their witness to You. May we remember that Iraqi Muslims are not our enemy, but are prisoners of war; indeed, prisoners of THE Enemy, casualties in THE War. May we remember those who are oppressed by wicked rulers, those who are exploited by uncaring employers, those who are slaves, those women and children subjugated by the sex industry, those suffering from AIDS and other incurable diseases, any person who is in any situation that makes it difficult for them to believe that a good God exists. And, as we fight oppression, exploitation, slavery, the sex trade, disease, and darkness, may we remember, once more, that those who are guilty of these crimes are prisoners of THE Enemy and casualties of THE War. And may we remember that the darkness and evil in their hearts is in ours, too.
O God, fill us with Your love and grace that we may be concerned with Your glory. Change us that we may be fit instruments to spread Your kingdom. May Your Spirit fill us over and over, again and again because we are leaky vessels. May we love and respect and cherish Your Name, and may our hearts be consumed by You.
Amen.
I still remember vividly the attacks of September 11, 2001. I was at work, not listening to NPR, or any radio show/station, which was very unusual for me at that time of day. Someone from the office came out into the warehouse and told us about the first plane hit. I didn't realize even then how serious the situation was, and delayed turning on the radio until the second plane hit. I don't remember which came first, the plane crashing in Pennsylvania or the Pentagon attack, but I called my mom after they both occurred. She was still sleeping at the time. After she said "Hello", I told her what was happening and to turn on the television. I kept listening to the radio all day. My dad went home from his job to be with my mom, and my sister and her three children went over there, too. I wish I had joined them, but nobody from my workplace went home, and, even though I really wanted to be with my family, I stayed at work, not that we got very much done that day.
I remember thinking, "The World Trade Center is hit, two planes crashed into it and the towers are burning, some people have already died, but they're evacuating and it will turn out okay for most of the people today."
Then the towers fell.
I don't even know how to describe the sinking feeling I got in my gut when that happened. There was a Lutheran church not far from my workplace, so I called their office and asked if they were open for people to come pray. The lady on the phone told me that they had just decided one minute before I called to open the church up for prayer. So I went for a while. When I got back to the warehouse, my boss told me he was surprised that I came back. I'm not sure why my co-workers were not as affected as I was by what happened, but it hit me hard. My boss took it better than any of us did, but he'd spent twenty years in the navy and had been in combat. Some of my co-workers, and I must admit that I'm still somewhat upset over this, decided that their news source for the day was Howard Stern!
Many Christians, myself included, hoped that America would wake up and turn back to God, but that didn't really happen. Many New Yorkers have been affected and have re-prioritized their lives, concentrating more on God, friends, and family, but there wasn't a wide-spread spiritual renewal in that city, either. Our churches were packed for only a few weeks.
It seems that God intended through this tragedy, not a loud and general triumphant "revival" for the United States of America, but "the hidden sanctification" of a few souls. Of course, we see only a small portion of what goes on, and we cannot know whom God changed through that event, or for what purpose. Sometimes, it takes a generation or two for God's plan to become evident. I think of Mr. Edward D. Kimball, a Sunday School teacher at Mount Vernon Congregational Church in Boston, Massachusetts, I believe. Mr. Kimball never did any thing "extraordinary" in his life, but one day he led D.L. Moody to Christ. And look at Louie and Zélie Martin – ordinary Christian parents who gave birth to a Saint (and whose cause for sainthood is being explored). Perhaps something like that will come from the 9/11 tragedy. Who knows?
In the meantime, let us pray for the United States.
O God, I ask, in the Holy and Powerful Name of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that You will bless America by bringing the Christians in Her to repentance for our sins. May we reject and renounce the materialism in our lives, the selfishness, greed, and gluttony with which we fill our days. May we seek to know and love You, and seek to know and love our neighbors, and welcome them into Your family. May we remember that true riches are found in virtuous lives lived for Your glory, and that the riches of this world are given to our stewardship to further Your kingdom. And that even being good stewards builds Your kingdom. May we live courageous lives of charity and chastity in the public square, and, lest people think that we are so great and not You, may we be unafraid to speak of Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection, what He means to us, how He changes us, how He loves u, and how He loves our fellow-citizens.
As we approach this election, may You guide our hearts and minds that we may vote for people and policies that are in accord with Your eternal and unchanging law. And may we remember that our hope does not lie in who our President is and which political party controls the Congress and what judges are on the Supreme Court, but our hope is in Jesus Christ and in Your promises to us through Him. May we remember that, in addition to voting into government men and women of character and integrity who will support the passing of good laws, that we must serve our family, friends, and neighbors. May we remember that it is more important for us to support crisis pregnancy centers than it is to protest public funding of Planned Parenthood. May we remember that is more important to befriend the men at the gay bar down the street than it is to boycott companies with domestic partner policies. May we remember that it is more important to visit the abandoned persons in nursing homes than it is to ensure adequate government oversight of the facilities they live in. May we remember that people are much more important than politics (but may we never forget that politics is important, too).
As we pray for America, asking that Your kingdom be furthered in Her, may we remember that Your kingdom will last for ever, whereas our nation will endure but for a time. May we remember that Your kingdom transcends all earthly kingdoms, and may we therefore pray for all people in all nations on earth. May we remember our brethren in Iraq who suffer at the hands of the Muslim majority of their country because of their witness to You. May we remember that Iraqi Muslims are not our enemy, but are prisoners of war; indeed, prisoners of THE Enemy, casualties in THE War. May we remember those who are oppressed by wicked rulers, those who are exploited by uncaring employers, those who are slaves, those women and children subjugated by the sex industry, those suffering from AIDS and other incurable diseases, any person who is in any situation that makes it difficult for them to believe that a good God exists. And, as we fight oppression, exploitation, slavery, the sex trade, disease, and darkness, may we remember, once more, that those who are guilty of these crimes are prisoners of THE Enemy and casualties of THE War. And may we remember that the darkness and evil in their hearts is in ours, too.
O God, fill us with Your love and grace that we may be concerned with Your glory. Change us that we may be fit instruments to spread Your kingdom. May Your Spirit fill us over and over, again and again because we are leaky vessels. May we love and respect and cherish Your Name, and may our hearts be consumed by You.
Amen.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Oops! I forgot to update the prayer links yesterday.
Here's the prayer link for Sunday, September 7:
What are the Challenges for New Believers?
And for today, Monday the 8th:
Division in Ghana
Also, please pray for my dad as he is attempting to win a Muslim gentleman to Christ. The Muslim man is trying to convert my dad at the same time to Islam. There's no danger of my dad renouncing his faith in Jesus Christ, but he does want wisdom in how to proceed with this situation.
What are the Challenges for New Believers?
And for today, Monday the 8th:
Division in Ghana
Also, please pray for my dad as he is attempting to win a Muslim gentleman to Christ. The Muslim man is trying to convert my dad at the same time to Islam. There's no danger of my dad renouncing his faith in Jesus Christ, but he does want wisdom in how to proceed with this situation.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Day Five Challenge...
...Winning the Bugis (people groups) of Indonesia (for Christ).
Still working on Catholic missions sources. I had two disappointing and three delightful conversations in the last two days as I've researched this topic. More on that later.
Still working on Catholic missions sources. I had two disappointing and three delightful conversations in the last two days as I've researched this topic. More on that later.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Let us keep bombarding the Throne of Grace...
...on behalf of our Muslim brethren.
Wednesday, September 3, Day Three of Ramadan 2008.
Let us pray for the Bakhtiari people of Iran.
Dear Readers, have you ever thought about "adopting" someone, like St. Therese of Lisieux did? She decided to pray for a convicted killer named Henri Pranzini, sentenced to death by beheading. Not only did she pray for this man's soul, she offered sacrifices to God for a move of His grace in Pranzini's life so that he would not enter Eternity outside of Christ. When Therese heard that Pranzini kissed the crucifix before he died, she knew God had granted her request.
We, too, can adopt individuals, praying for their salvation. And we can adopt entire people groups! There are thousands of people groups in this world that have little or no Christian outreach among them. Perhaps you cannot go to them and tell them about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection and what those things mean to them and for all of humanity, but you can learn about and pray and sacrifice for these peoples. Here are some web sites to help you*:
Joshua Project
People Groups
Caleb Project
I'm researching Catholic resources and will post them when I get them.
*Sadly, these are all Evangelical web sites. Let us also pray that many Catholic religious orders and lay apostolates will catch at least as great a vision for missions as our Evangelical brethren have!
Wednesday, September 3, Day Three of Ramadan 2008.
Let us pray for the Bakhtiari people of Iran.
Dear Readers, have you ever thought about "adopting" someone, like St. Therese of Lisieux did? She decided to pray for a convicted killer named Henri Pranzini, sentenced to death by beheading. Not only did she pray for this man's soul, she offered sacrifices to God for a move of His grace in Pranzini's life so that he would not enter Eternity outside of Christ. When Therese heard that Pranzini kissed the crucifix before he died, she knew God had granted her request.
We, too, can adopt individuals, praying for their salvation. And we can adopt entire people groups! There are thousands of people groups in this world that have little or no Christian outreach among them. Perhaps you cannot go to them and tell them about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection and what those things mean to them and for all of humanity, but you can learn about and pray and sacrifice for these peoples. Here are some web sites to help you*:
Joshua Project
People Groups
Caleb Project
I'm researching Catholic resources and will post them when I get them.
*Sadly, these are all Evangelical web sites. Let us also pray that many Catholic religious orders and lay apostolates will catch at least as great a vision for missions as our Evangelical brethren have!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Today is the second day of Ramadan
30 Days of Prayer focuses prayer on Saudi Arabian Tribes.
Specifically, the Shahran tribe, one of the largest tribes in Arabia.
Follow the above link to learn more and to pray for the intentions given. [Catholics use the term "prayer intention(s); Evangelicals use the term "prayer request(s).]
By the way, you can get the booklets 30 Days Hindu Prayer Focus and 30 Days of Prayer for the Voiceless at this web site: http://30daysprayer.com/.
Specifically, the Shahran tribe, one of the largest tribes in Arabia.
Follow the above link to learn more and to pray for the intentions given. [Catholics use the term "prayer intention(s); Evangelicals use the term "prayer request(s).]
By the way, you can get the booklets 30 Days Hindu Prayer Focus and 30 Days of Prayer for the Voiceless at this web site: http://30daysprayer.com/.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Ramadan begin's today.
As promised, here is the first of the daily posts for the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim world.
Please follow the link for the Day One Prayers--Marriage in Tajikistan
Also, on the main 30 Days page, I found a link to this site: 30daysfire.net. It has great articles like
God's Love in the Qur'an (PDF) and some other articles in both PDF and RTF form (I don't know how to use RTF, so I didn't link to any of those articles).
And on the 21st Day of Prayer, millions of people around the world will be praying for my city!
Pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters to find the love of God through Jesus Christ. Pray for God to send more laborers into the harvest of Muslim lands; especially that more religious and lay Catholic missionaries will go to serve in creative ways. Muslims have a great respect for the Blessed Virgin. Pray that they will have visions of her and that they will see her pointing to Christ, saying, "Do whatever He tells you."
Please follow the link for the Day One Prayers--Marriage in Tajikistan
Also, on the main 30 Days page, I found a link to this site: 30daysfire.net. It has great articles like
God's Love in the Qur'an (PDF) and some other articles in both PDF and RTF form (I don't know how to use RTF, so I didn't link to any of those articles).
And on the 21st Day of Prayer, millions of people around the world will be praying for my city!
Pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters to find the love of God through Jesus Christ. Pray for God to send more laborers into the harvest of Muslim lands; especially that more religious and lay Catholic missionaries will go to serve in creative ways. Muslims have a great respect for the Blessed Virgin. Pray that they will have visions of her and that they will see her pointing to Christ, saying, "Do whatever He tells you."
Friday, August 15, 2008
Dear Readers, Ramadan begins in September.
On September 1, to be exact. If you've been reading this blog since last year, you remember, I hope, what that means:
The 30 Days International prayer initiative begins soon. This blog will provide daily updates during the month of Ramadan so that we as Christians can pray for Muslims to come to a living faith in Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 NAV)
My dear readers, as Catholics and other Christians we should remember that God "...will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:4 NAV) Perhaps during this month of Ramadan you would also consider whether or not God may be calling you to be a missionary or evangelist to Muslims in this world? It is difficult to reach Muslims with the Gospel, but it is not impossible. Let us spend this month in prayer asking God "to send forth" more "laborers into His harvest" in Muslim lands.
Resources to help you:
Order the 30 Days prayer booklet
Download the PDF version
Subscribe to the e-mail list
Other things Catholics can do:
Find out the names of Muslim religious leaders in your city and have Masses said for their conversion.
Make a Holy Hour for Muslim neighbors.
Pray a rosary for the conversion of Muslims on one day, and the next day pray a rosary for those who are working to win them to Christ. Ask especially for the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima.
Buy the book Inside Islam: A Guide for Catholics. Read it. Let it inform your prayer life. Learn about Islam, and learn more about your faith, too. Consider passing this book along to other people in your parsih, especially teens and twenty-somethings.
Ask God to burden your heart for Muslims.
Encourage others to pray, read, have Masses said, etc.
And don't forget:
You'll learn more about Islam and how to reach Muslims for Christ from Abu Daoud than you will from me. Visit his site often!
The 30 Days International prayer initiative begins soon. This blog will provide daily updates during the month of Ramadan so that we as Christians can pray for Muslims to come to a living faith in Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 NAV)
My dear readers, as Catholics and other Christians we should remember that God "...will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:4 NAV) Perhaps during this month of Ramadan you would also consider whether or not God may be calling you to be a missionary or evangelist to Muslims in this world? It is difficult to reach Muslims with the Gospel, but it is not impossible. Let us spend this month in prayer asking God "to send forth" more "laborers into His harvest" in Muslim lands.
Resources to help you:
Order the 30 Days prayer booklet
Download the PDF version
Subscribe to the e-mail list
Other things Catholics can do:
Find out the names of Muslim religious leaders in your city and have Masses said for their conversion.
Make a Holy Hour for Muslim neighbors.
Pray a rosary for the conversion of Muslims on one day, and the next day pray a rosary for those who are working to win them to Christ. Ask especially for the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima.
Buy the book Inside Islam: A Guide for Catholics. Read it. Let it inform your prayer life. Learn about Islam, and learn more about your faith, too. Consider passing this book along to other people in your parsih, especially teens and twenty-somethings.
Ask God to burden your heart for Muslims.
Encourage others to pray, read, have Masses said, etc.
And don't forget:
You'll learn more about Islam and how to reach Muslims for Christ from Abu Daoud than you will from me. Visit his site often!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
What a busy week and a half!
Yes, my life has been busier than normal, but not because of work! My schedule has changed, and I now have an actual life! I now work Sunday through Thursday from 8:30pm to 5am, except for Monday. Monday's schedule is 10pm to 6:30am. "The midnight shift. Sounds horrible!" you might say, dear reader, but you would be wrong! I am enjoying this shift. It allows me to go to Mass every day! And when the fall semester starts, I can take morning classes at a local community college and still be able to go to Mass every day!
Now that I have a life, I actually have less time to blog and keep up with e-mail :-(
But I'll do my best to keep new things here, at least once a week.
Upcoming topics:
God's Team (a group of Evangelicals in the Detroit metro area from many different churches and para-church organizations who reac out to the Muslim population here).
The Arab-American festival held this past weekend (6/20-6/22).
My parents attending my COURAGE group with me.
A men's group I've joined at a local Evangelical church called Sexual Integrity.
My Muslim friend "Ali" (not his real name).
Saturday, June 7, 2008
On the USCCB website...
...I found a great document: To the Ends of the Earth. I love the opening sentence: "Jesus was a missionary." It reminds me of a quote from David Livingstone which I've always enjoyed: "God had an only Son, and He was a missionary..."
God is all about bringing the nations back into a relationship with Him.
Evangelicals are big on missions. What about you, dear Catholic reader?
There are one and a half billion Muslims in the world. Many have heard that Jesus was a prophet, but very few have ever heard that He is the Risen Savior. Will you go tell them?
What about the world's five hundred million Hindus believing in three hundred thirty million gods and goddesses? Who will tell them about the One God who is Jealous for their love? He wants them for Himself. Will you go tell them?
Catholic parents, will you teach your children about the 10/40 Window and how very few missionary efforts there are in that area of the world? Will you ask God to send your children as His ambassadors to the unreached peoples of the world? Will you consider whether or not God may be calling your entire family - you, your spouse, your infants, your teenagers - to live among a group of people who have never heard the Gospel? Will your family make this a matter of prayer?
Catholic singles, have you considered how your career might gain you access to countries which don't allow missionaries? Your life of character and integrity can be a powerful witness to your non-Christian co-workers.
The Gospel is free, but it takes money to send people to preach the Gospel. Please consider giving to Catholic missionary orders. Here are a few that are worthy:
Mariannehill Missionaries
PIME Missionaries
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
LAMP Ministries
Miles Christi
Renewal Ministries
Contact some of these organizations. See if you can "adopt" a missionary. Write letters to him or her. Encourage your missionary. Pray for your missionary. Offer up your sufferings for your missionary. They need us.
O people, I plead with you, join in the Great Commission! Spread the Gospel by living a life of fathfulness and fidelity to Christ and His Church. Let your life witness to your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. But remember: your actions only convey so much. Speak to people about Christ, or they will think you're the great one, not He. Support missionaries by your giving. Support missionaries with your prayers. Give them words of encouragement. Let them know they're not forgotten. Let them know they have support in this battle. Have masses said for them. Pray for those among whom they work. Pray for darkened minds to be illumined. Pray for our priests, deacons, bishops, fellow parishioners, neighbors, co-workers, friends, families, strangers, acquaintances, and everyone, always, until "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
And finally, to end, the Evangelical missionary organization Youth With A Mission (YWAM) has an excellent motto. Let us all make it our own:
"To know God and make Him known!"
God is all about bringing the nations back into a relationship with Him.
Evangelicals are big on missions. What about you, dear Catholic reader?
There are one and a half billion Muslims in the world. Many have heard that Jesus was a prophet, but very few have ever heard that He is the Risen Savior. Will you go tell them?
What about the world's five hundred million Hindus believing in three hundred thirty million gods and goddesses? Who will tell them about the One God who is Jealous for their love? He wants them for Himself. Will you go tell them?
Catholic parents, will you teach your children about the 10/40 Window and how very few missionary efforts there are in that area of the world? Will you ask God to send your children as His ambassadors to the unreached peoples of the world? Will you consider whether or not God may be calling your entire family - you, your spouse, your infants, your teenagers - to live among a group of people who have never heard the Gospel? Will your family make this a matter of prayer?
Catholic singles, have you considered how your career might gain you access to countries which don't allow missionaries? Your life of character and integrity can be a powerful witness to your non-Christian co-workers.
The Gospel is free, but it takes money to send people to preach the Gospel. Please consider giving to Catholic missionary orders. Here are a few that are worthy:
Mariannehill Missionaries
PIME Missionaries
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
LAMP Ministries
Miles Christi
Renewal Ministries
Contact some of these organizations. See if you can "adopt" a missionary. Write letters to him or her. Encourage your missionary. Pray for your missionary. Offer up your sufferings for your missionary. They need us.
O people, I plead with you, join in the Great Commission! Spread the Gospel by living a life of fathfulness and fidelity to Christ and His Church. Let your life witness to your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. But remember: your actions only convey so much. Speak to people about Christ, or they will think you're the great one, not He. Support missionaries by your giving. Support missionaries with your prayers. Give them words of encouragement. Let them know they're not forgotten. Let them know they have support in this battle. Have masses said for them. Pray for those among whom they work. Pray for darkened minds to be illumined. Pray for our priests, deacons, bishops, fellow parishioners, neighbors, co-workers, friends, families, strangers, acquaintances, and everyone, always, until "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
And finally, to end, the Evangelical missionary organization Youth With A Mission (YWAM) has an excellent motto. Let us all make it our own:
"To know God and make Him known!"
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
30 Days of Prayer for Muslims
Muslims celebrate a "Holy Month" every year called Ramadan. During these 30 days, they will not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, kiss, or have sexual relations from sun up to sun down. Instead, they will concentrate more on prayer and almsgiving. Some of our Evangelical brothers and sisters have issued a guide to pray for Muslims during this month when they are more open to God. You can order prayer booklets or get the free e-mail guide. Ramadan starts tomorrow (September 13-October 12), so the booklets are probably not an option for anyone reading this post today, but you can still sign up for the e-mail guide. I encourage every Christian to do so. Let us pray that God will reveal the truth about Himself and His Son to the Muslims of this world. Let us pray for Muslims all over the world to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!
Here are two links. Follow the first to get the prayer guide. The second links to the stories of Muslim Background Believers.
30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus
Testimonies of Muslims who became Christians
Here are two links. Follow the first to get the prayer guide. The second links to the stories of Muslim Background Believers.
30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus
Testimonies of Muslims who became Christians
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