Kris kept a little notebook on hand. The Name Notebook. On her trip through several Muslim countries, she met dozens of people. At a salon, Kris took the names of the beauticians she met. From bathroom cleaners to teenagers sitting beside her in a coffee shop, if she got to know them personally, she asked their names and wrote them down in the Name Notebook. Why? To pray for them.
As believers, we have many people praying for us: perhaps Bible study leaders, parents, and friends from church. But most Muslims don’t have that privilege. If you know a Muslim by name, have you ever considered that you may be the only praying Christian in his life? Perhaps no one else but you is bringing him before our Father God, interceding for him in prayer.
If Jesus has made you right with God, you are particularly poised to intercede for Muslims in a powerful and effective way (James 5:16). Petition, prayer, intercession and praise in the name of Jesus draws on the authority of His Name as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Don’t know how to begin praying? Like Kris, you could record the name of any Muslim you meet and begin to pray for his salvation. Or, if you meet a Muslim, you could pray with him right then and there! First ask his permission then pray aloud a simple prayer of blessing upon him, his business, or his family.
Or maybe your new friend has an immediate need, like Abdullah did. I met Abdullah on his way home to visit an ailing sister. After listening with concern, I asked for his sister’s name. Sara. “I will pray for Sara to be well.” I went on to explain, “Jesus the Messiah has power and authority to heal our bodies as well as our hearts.”
Perhaps you don’t know any Muslims personally? Then pray through the Middle East news, naming specific Muslim dignitaries, authors and artists. Or pray through VOM’s newsletter. As you come upon the name of a Muslim persecutor, or someone’s hostile family member, could you find it in your heart to pray for him? First repent of any hatred you might be harboring (Psalm 66:18) and then pray for his salvation.
I heard of a man who walks around a mosque in his city once a week, interceding for the Muslims who worship there. He prays for Jesus to reveal himself in an undeniable way in their lives. Quietly and simply, with no banners or megaphones, he asks the Lord for a harvest of souls among Muslims in his city.
There are many ways to go about praying for Muslims. You might even start a Name Notebook like Kris. However you pray, know a unique privilege is yours: you could be the first believer to truly intercede on a Muslim’s behalf.
Your turn: What creative ways have you discovered for intercession? Are there specific Muslim friends you pray for regularly? Please share in the comments.
"Anna" blogs about friendship, culture, and Kingdom-living from her home in the Middle East. She loves Jesus and wants to see Him cherished by her neighbors and people everywhere. Anna will be posting on the Persecution Blog each month. Feel free to ask questions or suggest future topics in the comments section for this post. Anna is a pseudonym, and all names in her posts are changed for security reasons.
A woman with 2 children decided to follow Jesus. Her husband told her she must choose to be a Muslim or he would leave her. She chose to follow Christ so now she is a single mom. I mailed her this blog. We will pray for her husband.
Posted by: Bobbi | March 22, 2013 at 05:35 PM
I have been praying for a Muslim woman named Shamaila, her daughters and her family for at least a year. We were communicating via email until one day she stopped...I sure pray she's okay and her two little girls. I have recently met a lady and her daughter who claim to be (Muslim)...I gave the mother a tract and have been praying for her and her daughter since that day. Yes, this is so important for us to keep these people in our prayers and share the love of Jesus with them any opportunity we get!
Posted by: Christy | March 21, 2013 at 11:02 PM
If forgot to say that my friend got muslim roots !
Posted by: Max | March 21, 2013 at 04:23 PM
I have a friend, who i was prayin for his salvation ! And the Lord truely gave as a situation, were we could talk about Jesus and what He has done for us.
Now my Friend believes into God and want to know more of Him.
God is listening to our prayers 4 sure !!! :D HALELUJAH :D
Posted by: Max | March 21, 2013 at 04:22 PM
Have a former associate pastor that was a missionary in a Muslim country for over 10 years. Learned a lot from him. He was introduced frequently as "This is ____ and he's from America, but he likes us." Sobering thing to hear.
Posted by: Jerry Edmonds | March 21, 2013 at 03:58 PM
I met a lady at my son's Taekwondo class who is a Muslim. We got to know each other a little then we moved out of state because of my husband's job. I think of her now and then. I will however start praying for her more specifically for her salvation and her family. Her name is Hannan.
Posted by: Maria | March 21, 2013 at 12:51 PM
I pray for God to send dreams to Muslims in places where it is very hard to hear the gospel. I pray that these dreamers will be assured that Jesus is real, that they they will seek out believers who can help them, and that they will find joy and peace as they encounter Jesus.
Posted by: Beth | March 21, 2013 at 11:52 AM
i have friends from other religions.
i was pray for my friends salvation.
i hope GOD JESUS save my friends.
Posted by: STAR777 | March 21, 2013 at 11:50 AM