Guest User
A Halal Christmas

A network member writes about a Christmas time when they invited a group of Muslims to their home.

A Halal Christmas
FAQs
Mahabba Network
Can I give Christmas presents to Muslim friends?

Some helpful responses to an important question, this Christmas season.

Can I give Christmas presents to Muslim friends?
Guest User
Why should we love all Muslims?

What do you picture in your mind when you think of Muslims in the UK? Whatever the image in your mind, God tells us to love all Muslims! But what does that look like in practice?

Why should we love all Muslims?
Guest User
Hallowe’en in the English Conversation class

Many churches with Muslim communities on their doorstep offer English language classes or English Conversation groups and find that these activities open the door to engaging with their neighbours. Find out how to use Halloween topics as a springboard to talking about Jesus.

Hallowe’en in the English Conversation class
Network update
Mahabba Network
Ramadan - A time for opportunities

The Islamic month of Ramadan runs from 10 March to 8 April this year (2024). Ramadan is a great time to start conversations with Muslim friends and colleagues and to focus on praying for Muslims in our local community and across the UK. These next few weeks are full of opportunities!

Ramadan - A time for opportunities

2018

Lovefast 30: Peace

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 30 of 30

By Phil S from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Feedback and suggestions on the content and layout of Lovefast - see our Trello board →

Daily verse

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
— Romans 12:18 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Peace

We have been looking at symbols all through these 30 days of prayer during Ramadan.

When visiting the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem a saw a tile of a church, a synagogue and a mosque next to each other.

It became a symbol of hope for me.

I also came across the word ‘coexist’, replacing the C, X and T with a crescent, a star of David and a cross.

At the time I had a deep concern about how the Abrahamic faiths could stop attacking and killing each other.

So many wars seemed to have religious dimensions to them.  

One way to ‘coexist’ is to create mutual understanding by reading and reflecting on our sacred texts together.

This has taken many forms:

  • Scriptural reasoning

  • Meetings for better understanding

  • Prophet Stories

  • Holy book clubs

Various ways of reading our Scriptures together and building relationship through the stories of the Bible and Qur’an.

Prayer for the day

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

Daily action

Get hold of a copy of the new Grove booklet on storying Christian and Muslim faith together. Check out if there are any groups mentioned above near you.

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Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 29: Bread

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 29 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Feedback and suggestions on the content and layout of Lovefast - see our Trello board →

Daily verse

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
— John 6:35 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Bread

There is an Egyptian proverb that says, “He who has the bread has the whole of happiness.”

The story today in the prayer guide illustrates the importance of bread in Middle Eastern culture.

The Arabic for bread aish literally means life.

Of course the image of bread is also important to us as Jesus followers.

He told us to pray for our daily bread and spoke of himself as being the bread of life.

At the last supper he used bread as the ultimate symbol when he spoke of his body, broken and shared, given for the life of the world.

As Muslim friends and neighbours are going without food (bread) and spending more time in praying and reflecting on God, how might we offer spiritual bread?

What words of life could we share that will speak to those who are spiritually hungry?

Prayer for the day

Thank you Lord for your love, mercy and compassion; that your heart is to see many Muslims come into your kingdom. We pray that many will hunger for the one who gives life, and find you, the Bread of Life, who truly satisfies.

Daily action

Choose a story about Jesus meeting a need (from the Gospels or a personal testimony) and plan how you would tell it to a Muslim friend. Pray for the opportunity, and be ready, to tell it.  

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 28: Curry - Sylhetis in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 28 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
— Colossians 4:5-6 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Curry

I once came across a tract entitled “Religion is not enough”.

I discovered that it was written by a young British-born man of Bangladeshi heritage.

Today the 30Days booklet focuses on his people, the Sylhetis.

What the text does not say is that the vast majority of Bangladeshis living in the UK are Sylhetis.

They run many of our curry houses. You may have met some.

So far very few have come to Christ in the UK despite the efforts of some workers in a few locations.

The tract told how he came to Christ.

I later got to meet him and heard more about how he grew up in on a street where English was rarely heard.

He almost no contact with Christians, but someone had made the effort to connect with his community.

With greater use of English, the opportunities to share God’s love are increasing.

Prayer for the day

Lord, raise up witnesses from among the Sylheti in the UK.  Visit a curry house and befriend the waiters. And enjoy the food as well… 😛

Daily action

A Sylheti Scripture App is now available for free download on Google Play! Please promote and distribute among your Sylheti contacts as widely as possible.

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Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 27: Night of Power

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 27 of 30

By Chas from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
— Jeremiah 29:13 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Night

I once visited a mosque towards the end of Ramadan.

Inside the mosque were individual sleeping compartments separated out by white cloths, like the inner lining of a tent.

Some Muslims would spend all ten nights here, without any contact with the outside world by mobile phone or any other way.

They come here simply to pray and read the Quran. Such devotion!

During one of the night’s of the last ten days of Ramadan Muslims believe that the blessings and mercy of God are abundant, sins are forgiven, visions and dreams are given and supplications are accepted.

This night is called ‘Laylat al-Qadr’ variously known in English as the Night of Power, Night of Decree, Night of Value, Night of Destiny, or Night of Measures.

While not all will be resident in the mosque at this time, many will attend extra prayers and Quranic readings and hope for blessing.

Prayer for the day

As Muslims seek blessing from God during the last ten nights of Ramadan, let’s pray they would have encounters with the true and living God.

Daily action

Why not take some of this evening to pray for Muslims to have encounters with the living God.  You might like to use this Night of Power prayer resource.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 26: Welcome - Moroccans in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 26 of 30

By Simon from The Hub in Mahabba

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
— John 14:6 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Welcome

There’s something special about a Moroccan welcome, especially a Berber one.

It’s a traveller’s welcome - often after a long, tiring journey, when the hope and excitement of the day is waning into the evening.

Lots of tea, honey, pancake-like treats, and lashings of sugar in every direction!

I remember the same warmth being true when I stumbled across a Moroccan shop in the UK - in Oxford, an academic capital and a world away in terms of culture!

Sometimes we feel we are only worthy to put on a welcome or have people into our home unless everything is pristine and just-so.

That pressure can sometimes prevent our hospitality.

Moroccans feel the same pressure, but after a quick spruce up, even the poorest of the poor would be as proud as punch to usher you through their door.

We honour them by our presence as guests in their home, no matter how lowly it is, and they go to great lengths to provide sustenance.

There’s definitely something of Christ in this welcome, and we see it in Muslim communities in the UK, whether Moroccan or not.

We know too that the invitation from Christ and to come to know Father God is beyond all else.

We may be British and struggle with this one, but how can we be a little be more hospitable and welcoming that Muslims we meet might encounter something of Jesus through us?

Prayer for the day

Father God, thank you that I am part of your family and for the loving embrace that I received through Jesus Christ. Today I pray that Muslim men, women and children in the UK might have the opportunity to experience something of that. Use me to be a channel of your love. Help me to break out of my Britishness and embrace Muslims around me.

Daily action

During Ramadan, it is common practice for Muslims to share food with neighbours after the fast finishes in the evening. Try to find a shop locally that sells Asian sweets. Buy some and take them as a gift to your neighbour. Make sure you go around 9:30 or 10:00pm - it’s not too late or rude, as they will eat after dark and be very awake! Offer them as a blessing and that as a Christian you are praying for them in their fasting.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 25: Hot - Eritreans in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 24 of 30

By Simon from The Hub in Mahabba

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’”
— John 13:35 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Hot

Abraham is Eritrean; a friend of mine and I see him almost every day.

We give each other a big hug in the morning and sometimes at the end of the day - very un-British, but very Eritrean.

I love it - warm, welcoming friendly - what’s sometimes known as ‘hot climate culture’ - and it took me a little while to cotton on!

I saw him the other day at a Christian festival, sporting shiny aviator sunglasses and advocating for a new charity, helping the church to welcome refugees.

He was happy and smiling.

He has found Jesus and a fresh purpose in life - imagine if all the Muslims on your street or in your area had the same encounter.

Let’s be a bit hotter with our faith and warmer with our welcome - start with a Muslim you encounter; today!

Prayer for the day

 

Father God, thank you for the world that is coming to our doorstep. Help us to be warmer in our welcome and embrace of those we do not know. Stir in us more of your love for Muslims around us that we can better demonstrate your love for those from Islam who do not yet know you.

Daily action

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

I once worked with a young Muslim lady who remarked that I was different because I genuinely asked how she was and looked out for her. This one is a longer-burning action. Be intentional in really getting to know a Muslim near you, whether a shopkeeper or colleague. Make a conscious effort to ask consistently about his or her health, family, hopes, dreams etc. When you’ve done that, find out more about Welcome Churches which is helping churches welcome refugees in the UK.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 24: Seek - Sufis

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 24 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Seek

“This is the highlight of my week,”

remarked a young bearded man of Pakistani heritage.

“I would not miss it for anything.”

He was at a gathering of the mureeds (disciples) of a Sufi Sheikh. In a borrowed hall, they gathered to sing their way through an Arabic litany.

They sang stirring hymns, listened to a short exhortation from one of their members and enjoyed a meal together.

For tourists abroad, Sufism is associated with the gilded tombs of mystics long dead, but Sufism is alive and well and thriving in the UK.

Sufi Muslims believe that knowing God is possible and that access to grace and blessing is given through sheikhs who guide those who believe in them.

All that they seek, God has given in Christ but they do not know it.

Prayer for the day

Thank God for all we have in Christ and ask him for opportunities to share it with the spiritually hungry.

Daily action

Think how you would describe all that ‘the man Christ Jesus’ has done and is doing for you and ask God for an opportunity to share it.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 23: Growth - African Muslims

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 23 of 30

By Chas from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
— Revelation 7:9 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Growth

An African man in London rested on his bed after completing his Muslim prayers.

As he did so a very bright light came into the room.

Within the light he saw the figure of a man who said ‘Islam is not your religion; this is’ showing him a Bible.

He is now a follower of Jesus and a passionate evangelist wherever he goes.

In recent decades there has been a marked increase in the numbers of people attending Pentecostal Churches in London, mainly explained by the growth of African Churches.

Many West African Pentecostals regard the UK as a potential mission field, bringing the gospel back to those who originally provided it.

Simultaneously, about 10% of the UK's Muslim population are of African heritage and a growing number of young black people are converting to Islam.

Will you join our African brothers and sisters to pray for continued conversion growth in their churches?

Prayer for the day

Pray for sustained growth in terms of conversion numbers and quality of fellowship within the black led Churches in the UK and that they might bring many muslims to Jesus too.

Daily action

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Read 'Black Muslims in Britain: Why Are a Growing Number of Young Black People converting to Islam?' by Richard S. Reddie.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 22: Stop - Transients

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 22 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
— Deuteronomy 10:19 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Stop

My car was in an unusually filthy state, even for me.

I took it down to the manual car washing service round the corner where I was welcomed by a man with an accent and a big smile.

He scrubbed the car as if it was a joy. I asked his name. Ali.

Every time I walked that way I stop to greet him. He seems so pleased that someone should just stop and talk to him.

Who takes any notice of a car washer? He is from Iraqi Kurdistan.

He has worked in various places over the last few years.

He is one of the new population of transients that move amongst us, not in a caravan like traditional gypsies but never truly at home either. He too is a neighbour.

Prayer for the day

Open our eyes to notice the people near our homes but far from theirs. Pray blessing for every person you see or think of.

Daily action

Watch God’s heart for the foreigner

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 21: Close - Visiting a Mosque

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 21 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.”
— Psalm 139:10 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Close

Once we were prayer-walking in Ramadan.

As we passed the central mosque, my companion said “Do you think we could go in?”

As approached a side-door a car drew up. A man got out. We greeted him and asked if anything was going on. “Come and see,” he said.

He led us upstairs where we found a group of men were chanting, seeking closeness to God.

We prayed silently for them.

We were expected elsewhere so after a while we left but not without being invited to comeback and eat with them.

Long story short, we learnt that one of them had a brother dying of cancer.

We asked if we could pray for him in the name of Jesus. “Of course” he replied.

So we prayed for him in the mosque in the name of Jesus. Men build walls: Jesus passes through them.

Prayer for the day

Here am I. Send me.

 

Daily action

Discover your local mosque and look out for invitations.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 20: Threat - Mosques

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 20 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“Of David. A psalm.
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;”
— Psalm 24:1 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Threat

How do you feel when you come across a building that was clearly once used as a church now a being used as a mosque?

You see a big sign with strange words like masjid, markaz, ghausia, jalal and so on. Maybe text in a foreign alphabet. Perhaps a sign proclaiming “Islamic Mission”.

If we have any love for the Gospel of Jesus, we must feel something when we see buildings which are the result of the sacrificial faith of folk like us now set apart for Islamic teaching and worship.

In the 30 Days booklet we read of the Bajun whose life is centred around the mosque and who may regard Christians as enemies.

Do we feel threatened when mosques become churches? Are we disturbed?

Here is another question.

Is Jesus Christ any less Lord? Is anyone beyond His reach? When the lost reach out for God, can He not meet them where they are?

Prayer for the day

Lord, deliver us from fear, and resentment. Lead us in love and faith. Glorify your name.

Daily action

Pray that the Lord will meet those who camp in the mosques for the last ten days of Ramadan.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 19: 7% - Believers from a Muslim Background

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 19 of 30

By Ted from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

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Daily verse

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.”
— 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

7%

The 30 Days booklet speaks today of the Muslims of Nepal who make up just 7% of the population, a minority by any measure.

Among them some now follow Jesus in the teeth of strong opposition.

Here in the UK, Muslims probably make up less than 7% but their presence is perhaps more prominent than that number suggests.

And here too people born as Muslims are now following Christ.

The UK the legal system provides for much more freedom of religion.

Some believers have even developed public ministries.

Many others feel the need to keep a low profile.

Still others face rejection and even violence from their community.

We have a particular responsibility to pray for these BMBs (Believers of Muslim Background), to welcome them and to support them wherever we might come across them.

Prayer for the day

Pray that those BMBs living in the UK will know grow in faith love and hope and be a powerful witness to their people and others too.

Daily action

If you have not done so already, consider doing Joining The Family

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 18: Suffer - Shias

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 18 of 30

By Andrew D from Mahabba's Board of Trustees

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Feedback and suggestions on the content and layout of Lovefast - see our Trello board →

Daily verse

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:5 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Suffer

Twice each month a group of Christians and Muslims in our town meet at a local Shia mosque to study passages from the Bible and Qur’an.

Our purpose is not to engage in debate over which book contains the truth, or even to try and convert each other to a different religion, but simply to ask God what he would reveal to us through the Scriptures (believing of course that the Bible has much to say to each one of us).

One of the themes that most deeply resonates with them is the betrayal and suffering of Jesus, which reminds them of their own founding narrative of the betrayal of Ali and Hussein, and their own suffering as Shias, which they commemorate each year during the month of Muhurram.

They often talk too of the return of Jesus, alongside the Mahdi. May God truly open Shia eyes to the real import of Jesus' death, resurrection and return.

Prayer for the day

About 5% of the UK Muslim population is Shia. Pray for a harvest amongst them

Daily action

Consider offering to study the Scriptures with local Muslims at a mosque in your neighbourhood.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 17: Spring - Refugees in Germany

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 17 of 30

By Gordon from Mahabba Network International

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:
‘This year you will eat what grows by itself,
and the second year what springs from that.
But in the third year sow and reap,
plant vineyards and eat their fruit.”
— Isaiah 37:30 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Spring

As well as UK, Mahabba has been growing in Europe: France, Belgium, Norway & Austria already going; then working closely with Germany, Switzerland & Sweden; more recently interested established in Denmark & Belgium.

If God is with us, this will spread, so I am in waiting and praying mode until we get clear guidance on the future.

Just as an encouragement from a monastery in Germany: they are working in about 15 cities, mainly with Syrian & Iraqi refugees.

They just started the next discipleship training with about 70 MBBs.

What they are doing is unique in Germany, and last year they gathered over 1000 people to pray for 3 days.

They are sending Arabic speaking missionaries across Germany, and many German churches and Ministries are asking for support with their know-how and man-power.

They have already reached out to more than 20 camps, and 75 churches with Muslim groups…. hundreds of Muslims have become followers and are attending the discipleship schools.

New house cells have also been established.

Also churches with just MBBs have been established.

The head of the Refugee movement in German has asked me to send him material, and he will be encouraging Mahabba prayer.

Prayer for the day

Pray for the Mahabba Network as the message of ‘loving all Muslims’ spreads - with groups springing up themselves and connecting to other groups and ministries (like Al Massira). The desire is that more and more will discover and seek to follow Jesus.

Daily action

Try organising a Prayer Walk  or just go with a friend

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 16: Respect - Libyans in the UK

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 16 of 30

By Mark Handley, serving with Operation Mobilisation in London among the Muslim community for over 20 years

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“As for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.”
— Philippians 3:6 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Respect

I met a Libyan in London at Speakers Corner, he was on a ladder telling the world about how great Islam was.

He was older than me and I knew nothing about Islam but he said the Bible had been corrupted or some other polemic against Christianity and I tried to correct him.

This started a relationship that lasted over 10 years as I bumped into him at Speakers Corner and on the Edgeware Road where he came for coffee and in the local park where I was running.

We learnt to respect one another.

As time went on we would talk about mosque/church life, he lamented that there was nothing worse than a convert, young British converts were trying to teach him about Islam!

He was a political refugee, a Muslim evangelist, but also a man with concerns for his children and mother, and concerns for his community.

We have prayed for him for many years, and although I have not seen him recently, I know that the Lord sees him.

Prayer for the day

Please pray for mosque leaders and evangelists that they will have Christian friends that they can respect and who will befriend them.

Daily action

Identify by name who is your local Mosque leader(s) and pray for them by name.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 15: Secret Believers

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Day 15 of 30

By Phil S, a member of Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
— Luke 7:22 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Secret

There are Muslim followers of Jesus around the Islamic world. I received this e-mail from somewhere in Asia:

This is the true story of our Lord Jesus, the source of peace recently discovered by Muslim people in our community.

In the last recent week, there has been a very, very intense spiritual battle in my Islamic community where I live.

A blind Muslim woman made tawassul [seeking to draw close to God] to ask Nabi Isa [the prophet Isa = Jesus Christ], son of Mary, to give her vision back.

We called the name of Jesus again and again.

To our great surprise, Jesus answered our tawassul and she was able to see again with her right eye.

She and her whole Muslim community are now very thankful to Nabi Isa, ibn Miriam [son of Mary].

They glorify Nabi Isa excessively. They attribute the healing to Isa.

My house and their house is full of people who are curious to know what happened.

We explain the power of Nabi Isa. We disciple them to be the disciple of Isa.

Physically we have been very tired in discipling people to be the disciple of Nabi Isa, son of Mary.

Prayer for the day

 

Pray for Muslims who have encountered Jesus, for secret believers, Messianic Muslims, Believers from a Muslim Background (BMBs), whatever they are called, and pray that this will happen more in the UK so that more and more people will ‘glorify Isa excessively’.

Daily action

Watch this video of an interview with David Garrison author of ‘Wind in the house of Islam’, or read the book - it’s worth it!

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 14: Movement - Cities

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Day 14 of 30: Movement

By Thomas, a friend of Mahabba working in Germany

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
— John 17:20-21 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Thought for the day

Movement

Over the last few years some leaders of unity movements around the world have been connecting together.

They have been sharing what God has been doing, learning from each other and being inspired for further collaborations.

One network ‘Together for Berlin’ hosted an opportunity for leaders from different countries to come together.

I was encouraged to listen to the stories of the 8 city network leaders from the UK who shared many encouraging experiences of what God is doing there.

We were able to pray for one another and for our cities that God's Kingdom would come.

Already more than 54% of the world’s population lives in cities and it’ll continue to rise.

City reaching is a strategic way of reaching the nations at our door steps as more and more immigrants – many from unreached people groups and religions- are moving into our neighbourhoods - yet the church is still not aware of the immense opportunities this presents.

We have people from more than 100 different nations living in all major cities in Europe already.

It’ll bring many challenges to all of us but it’ll also be a strategic way of building God’s Kingdom.

I believe that God is orchestrating these global moves for his purposes.

Prayer for the day

 

Pray for real unity among movements in Europe serving refugees in various cities, that refugees will be attracted by the love they see in Christians who are serving them.

Daily action

Try using the Resource ‘Praying as small group’ or ‘Want to pray for M World in Small group’ (2/2).

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 13: Retrieve - Call to Pray

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 13: Retrieve

By Phil S from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
— 1 Peter 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Retrieve

Bishop Kenneth Cragg led the way for many on how to approach Muslims and share faith with them.

He was respectful, relational  and invitational. He wrote classics like ‘Sandals at the Mosque’ and the ‘Call of the Minaret’.

When you hear the azhan recited by a muezzin what do you hear?

Cragg suggest that the call of the minaret is a call to prayer for Muslims, but also a call for Christians as well - a call to retrieval - to present the Christ that Muslims have missed.  

The call of the minaret must always seem to the Christian a call to retrieval. He yearns to undo the alienation and to make amends for the past by as full a restitution as he can achieve of the Christ to Whom Islam is a stranger. The objective is not as the Crusaders believed the repossession of what Christendom had lost, but the restoration to Muslims of the Christ Who they have missed. All that the minaret both says and fails to say is included in this call to retrieval as the listening Christian hears it.

Prayer for the day

Watch this call to prayer produced by Channel 4 and pray for opportunities for Muslims to meet Christ not as stranger but as friend

Daily action

Watch this clip from The Message (the story of Prophet of Islam) of Bilal and the first call to prayer. When you hear a call to pray then why not take the opportunity to do so - and pray for Muslims (or even to go and visit the mosque and reach out to a Muslim)

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 12: Essence - Muslim Women

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 12: Essence

By Georgina from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”
— Psalm 141:2 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Essence

At a meeting where a Turkish woman was talking about namaaz, someone asked whether it’s unfair to exclude women from prayer at the mosque.

Other Muslim women attending the meeting responded with smiles that they enjoy the opportunity to have time to themselves with a break from family obligations. They also appreciate collective namaaz prayers as a time for friends to catch up with each other.

For them the bigger problem was to stay focused on God while they recite their prayers. They were much more worried by the fact that their minds tend to wander to mundane matters while they are at prayer, and that even prayer beads (tasbih) don’t always help.

Prayer is the essence of a life of faith; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 asks us to ‘pray without ceasing.’

What does that look like in your walk with God?

Prayer for the day

Father, may I yearn to be in your presence.

Daily action

Set a timer to remind you to pray 5 times today.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 11: Why not? - Movements

Lovefast prayer and action campaign from the Mahabba Network

Lovefast 11: Why not?

By Gillie from Mahabba's Network Team

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer, but with a UK twist!

Daily verse

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
— John 3:8 New International Version (NIV)

Thought for the day

Why not?

Stories of Jesus are spreading among the Riau Melayu and people are beginning to follow him

In many other parts of Sumatra, and all over Indonesia, thousands of Muslims are turning to Jesus and following him.

Churches of new believers are planting churches which are planting churches… movements to Jesus are multiplying!

One man was asked why he changed his views and embraced Isa as Saviour and Lord:

For the first time, someone told me about Isa. I had only to compare Isa with what I formerly believed.

Author David Garrison calls it a wind blowing through the House of Islam:

Movements to Jesus are happening in numbers never seen before….. Not limited to a remote corner of the Muslim world, these new communities of believers are widespread, from West Africa’s Sahel to the teeming islands of Indonesia — and everywhere in between.

Why not among the Riau Melayu – and why not here in the UK?

Prayer for the day

Let’s pray some big, God-sized prayers today - that movements to Jesus would continue to grow and that we would see the same birthed here among the Asian communities of the UK.

Daily action

Follow the link below for a five-minute outline (PowerPoint and video) to use in a church service to pray for Muslims:

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

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