Lovefast 14: Waiting - Asylum Seekers

Image: Hello Lightbulb, Unsplash

Lovefast 14: Waiting

By Elliot from Mahabba Derby
Inspired by 'A Syrian refugee family waits' from 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Daily verse

“When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.”

— Psalm 27:2

Thought for the day

Waiting

We can wait with a sense of excitement or we can wait hopelessly caught up in despair.

Waiting is difficult when there is no end in sight.

Asylum seekers in the UK have to wait for an interview with the home office.

They have to wait for the results of the interview.

If granted leave to remain they have to wait for a National Insurance number.

When there are difficulties with housing they can wait months for things to be fixed.

Waiting months for a washing machine to be fixed is hard when you are a mum and you have a new baby in the house.

Waiting for the war to finish that has destroyed your country and separated your family.

Waiting, hoping, but not hearing if your family are still alive is unimaginable to me but a daily reality for many.

This week I’ve come across someone who has been in the UK for less than a year and had his first application rejected, he is now waiting to appeal.

I have also come across someone who has been in the UK for seven years and is on their forth appeal.

They are still waiting.

Today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Inspiration for today's entry - click to open

Prayer for the day

Pray for those refugees who are waiting for decisions, for family.

Daily action

Use your waiting time today to be aware of the presence of God today.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 13: Cycle - the Hajj

Image: 16nine, Flickr

Lovefast 13: Cycle

By Chas from Mahabba Croydon
Inspired by 'Families in Kyrgyzstan' from 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Daily verse

“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain – if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.”

— Galatians 3:1-7, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Cycle

Muhammed (not his real name) is nearing retirement age.

He is deeply concerned for his children that they correctly follow Islam and so he makes sure they complete their daily Namaz (prayers) and live the Islamic way.

He has been storing up money in his bank account for years, but he’s even more concerned about storing up credit for the afterlife.

So he makes large donations to the mosque and is planning to go on Hajj to Mecca.

He can go to the sites at any time, but to go during the Hajj itself gives maximum credit.

However, he is afraid of the huge crowds and the stampedes.

So he’s afraid that he might die there and will put it off for another year.

Do you think he will hear the gospel and believe during this year?

Or do you think the cycle of religious works continue?

Today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Inspiration for today's entry - click to open

Prayer for the day

Pray for Muslims you know who are bound by religious works to gain credit with God.  Pray that they would see and understand the provision of Jesus’ death in their place.  

Daily action

Consider ways you could share your faith with Muslims.  What could you give them? A gospel, a DVD?  Get a stock and prayerfully give them away this year one by one.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 12: Weddings

Image: telachhe, Flickr

Lovefast 12: Weddings

By Phil from Mahabba Woking
Inspired by 'I want to get married!' in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Daily verse

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”

— John 2:5, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Weddings

Maybe you’ve seen the wedding scenes in a movie like Monsoon Wedding  or The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Or even better you may have attended an Eastern wedding yourself.

Every bride is a princess (rani) and every bridegroom a prince or king (raja).

They are very colourful, and exotic affairs and guest are highly honoured.

They reflect the communal culture of the East, with an emphasis on honour, and putting on a good show.

No expense is spared.

And a lavish banquet is the order of the day, whether the Hui Muslims of China (who we are praying for in #30dop) or maybe its your local British Asian friends in Solihull.

Jesus attended a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11) and his mother had an eye for detail.

This is where he performed his first miracle, so that the banquet and celebration could continue and no one would be shamed.

It also led to the deepening of faith and ongoing discipleship for many of the attendees.

Jesus does his work both unusual and everyday circumstances.

Today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Inspiration for today's entry - click to open

Prayer for the day

Light a candle and write names of all couples you know who have just married. Pray that God would bless marriages and relationships in the Muslim community. Whenever you see a wedding party pray a quiet prayer of blessing upon them.

Daily action

When you visit an international friend ask to see photos of their family, their wedding or pictures of where they are from. Share some of your own pictures with them.  Pictures can speak a thousand words

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 11: Terror

Image: globovision, Flickr

Lovefast 11: Terror

By Georgina from Mahabba Cheltenham
Inspired by 'What about terrorism?' in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Daily verse

“They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

— 1 Timothy 1:7, NIVUK

Thought for the day

The news behind the news

The news from Syria has not been good for nearly five years now.

Scenes of terrified people, bombed out cities, and ever sprawling refugee camps record the latest installment of man’s inhumanity to man.

ISIS or Islamic State, and the attempt to wrest Middle Eastern cities from their grip looms large while European cities face new forms of terror.

Jaded broadcasters now regularly use the word, ‘apocalyptic’ and the phrase, ‘the world is a more dangerous place’ is a mainstay of political broadcasting.

Yet, we see glimpses of transformation in amongst the horror.

Islam is in crisis and Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus like never before, as described in the books Fleeing Isis, Finding Jesus (2017) and A Wind in the House of Islam (2015).

Many Muslim-background believers testify that they started to question their Muslim faith after the 9/11 attacks, or other atrocities executed in the name of Islam, eventually leading to encounters with Jesus.

Terrorism feeds the 24-hour news cycle but if you look carefully, there is a different news story behind the news.

Today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Inspiration for today's entry - click to open

Prayer for the day

Pray that where old certainties are breaking up people may be released to turn towards Christ

Daily action

Pray for anyone in your town or city who is being radicalised by terrorist ideology to be radicalised by the love of Jesus today

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 10 | Family in Yemen: where tradition prevails

Image: rod_waddington, Flickr

Lovefast 10 | Family in Yemen: where tradition prevails

By Gordon from Mahabba Oxford

Daily verse

“Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that”

— Mark 7:13, NIVUK

Thought for the day

I spent a few years as a child growing up in Aden which is now South Yemen.

Travelling through the region and what we called “the Crater” area, it was as if nothing had changed for centuries.

Years later I was to see the same traditional family values and culture hidden for centuries in the Alamut valley, in Iran, just north of Tehran.

“Traditional Family” is at the core of the preservation of Islamic culture, and whilst we know how controlling and dominant it can be sometimes, it can also be a significant factor in halting the erosion of secular and worldly pressures on family values and morality.

As Christians, we can use this factor of common family values and morality which we share, and see it as a bridge into their world.

Often their aversion to Christian faith is a misunderstanding that our culture is Christian! Quite the opposite!

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Father, let me see the traditions which I keep which have nothing to do with your word. Help me to stop judging Muslims and realise that I also am blinded by my own traditions.

Daily action

Sorry - no action today. Put your feet up!

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 9: Afghans of North America (and UK)

Image: dvids, Flickr

Lovefast 9: Afghans of North America

By Phil from Mahabba Woking

Daily verse

“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

— Isaiah 40:31, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Khaled Hosseini ‘s film and book ‘The Kite Runner’ is set in Afghanistan and Freemont California.

It is a moving portrayal of displaced Afghans: Baba, who works all hours in a gas station; Amir, who adapts rather easily; and the Taheris, who uphold traditional values with all the stringency and vigour typical of displaced communities.

Amid the piles of junk at the flea market, Afghans gossip and recall their homeland while drinking Coca-Cola and coffee.

The USA becomes, in many ways, rather than the land of the free, rather a place of exile.

Displaced people in search of a home.

This feeling is also replicated in UK among Afghans and others.

Every exile (sohrab) is in need of a kite runner (Amir) who will welcome the stranger with their feelings of disconnection and rejection, and encourage them to freedom, so they too can fly free like a kite.

For you a thousand times over...

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Pray for Afghans (and others in our communities), that beyond and though their experience of trauma they will experience true freedom, and learn to fly like eagles.

Daily action

Read the book. Or watch the film: 'The Kite Runner’ and find out if there are any Afghans in your area, and maybe get to meet them. This may lead to eating wonderful Afghan food!

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 8 | Muslims: a minority in India

Image: Debashis Biswas (Kolkata), Unsplash

Lovefast 8 | Muslims: a minority in India

By Gordon from Mahabba Oxford

Daily verse

“They said to him, ‘John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.’

Jesus answered, ‘Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.’

He told them this parable: ‘No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.”

— Luke 5:33-38, NIVUK

Thought for the day

We might talk of Muslims as a minority in India, but it was still 172 million or 14.2% of the population in the 2011 census - the second largest national population of Muslims in the world!

Even so, a minority is a minority, and today there is still deep underlying friction in some areas.

My father’s family grew up in India, during the time of the Raj: what was designed to bring unity and peace, led to irreconcilable disputes and tensions.

India today has managed to achieve a level of harmony, though some areas have a higher percentage of Muslims, such as some of the northern states.

Wherever we live, we need to recognize that as Christians we hold the key to community cohesion and peace, through the way we extend “Mahabba- love” and friendship to the minority groups of Muslims who live amongst us.

We cannot remain unconcerned and detached.

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Father we have allowed the media and our own fears and prejudices to cloud our image of those Muslims who live amongst us. Many of them feel insignificant as a minority, so help us to reach out to them at this time.

Daily action

Do some research and find out by asking local Muslims, who are the most marginalised Muslim group in your area. Then contact them and make them feel welcomed, valued and significant! (See also: watch Viceroy's House)

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 7: What concerns Muslim parents?

Image: babasteve, Flickr

Lovefast 7: What concerns Muslim parents?

By Chas from Mahabba Croydon

Daily verse

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”

— Ephesians 5:25

Thought for the day

Care for the family

Here are some real stories of families in London. (All names have been changed.)

Mohammed is married with two young children.

He suffers with back pain and has been out of work for several months. He feels disgraced and can’t support his family in the way he wants to.

Abdu and Maryam have three small children. The youngest is autistic. They don’t get much understanding or support from their community.

They are trying to do the very best they can for their son to support him through school.

Aisha's husband is from the village in Pakistan. He adheres strictly to traditional village values although Aisha was born here.

Aisha is not allowed a life of her own, but must care for their three children and demanding extended family without complaint.

These are typical Muslim families who might be living near you.

How could you be a good neighbour to them?

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Pray that the Lord would open your eyes to the needs of ordinary Muslim families near to you. Pray that the Lord would show you how you can be a good neighbour to them.

Daily action

Build a bridge of friendship with a Muslim family and listen to their story. Consider how you can be a good neigbour to them.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 6 | Lebanon: the church as a family for refugees

Image: marcveraart, Flickr

LOVEFAST 6 | LEBANON: THE CHURCH AS A FAMILY FOR REFUGEES

By Elliot from Mahabba Derby

Daily verse

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

— Hebrews 13:2, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Church as a family for refugees

It’s great when we as the church can welcome new people into the family of the church.

The other week we went to visit some people who had just arrived in the city.

The day was cold, damp and blustery. It didn’t look like anyone was in.

I banged hard on the door expecting to jump back into the car after a few seconds.

Instead the door opened and I was welcomed to join the family eating breakfast of bread, yoghurt, walnuts and tea.

In my mind I was the welcomer to a new Kurdish family.

However, the reality was the other way around - I was welcomed into the heart of the family, fed, introduced to family members and their relatives who had come from out of town.

I had gone to be welcomed and received a lesson in hospitality

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Pray that the church in the UK would increasingly be family for refugees.

Daily action

Consider setting up a Welcome Boxes project with your church: https://www.upbeatcommunities.org/welcome-boxes-project

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 5 | Comoros: matrilineality – blessing or curse?

Image: davidstanleytravel (Comoros), Flickr

LOVEFAST 5 | COMOROS: MATRILINEALITY – BLESSING OR CURSE?

By Georgina from Mahabba Cheltenham

Daily verse

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

— Genesis 2:24, NIVUK

Thought for the day

The Father's inheritance

I have to confess that as someone with an accent that is ‘not from here’, I adapt the story of my origins depending on the context.

For a diverse British audience, it’s my mother’s father who fought in the Second World War who is emphasised.

For a ‘church audience,’ it’s my father’s mother who died as a young missionary in Africa, who is put to the front.

Of course, our stories may vary but laws and customs are more difficult to change.

Our inheritance, marriage customs and living arrangements may differ widely depending on whether we live in a matrilineal or patrilineal society, whether we’re working class or aristocracy.

It is interesting that the writer of Genesis 2:24 seems to write from a matrilineal perspective, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.’

Do we thank God enough that we do not have to achieve our kingdom inheritance through any of these customs, but that we are given our inheritance in Jesus Christ no matter who our fathers or mothers were?

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Pray for people to be released from the bondage of human social arrangements to experience true freedom in Christ.

Daily action

Try to think carefully about the way you treat mothers and fathers in all your contacts for one day.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 4: A look at shame and honour culture

Image: p_marione, Flickr

LOVEFAST 4: A LOOK AT SHAME AND HONOUR CULTURE

By Georgina from Mahabba Cheltenham

Daily verse

“For in Scripture it says:

‘See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.’”

— 1 Peter 2:6, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Shame is the result of two things: expectations and exposure.

The constant whispers of shame are “You’re not who you should be!” (expectations) and “They’ll find out who you really are!” (exposure).

Consequently, we strive to live up to expectations and to avoid exposure.

Technological invention and social media has created entirely new levels of both expectations and exposure for people in the modern world.

The expectations provoked by social media come not from the advertisements in our feeds, but from the images of our peers’ amazing life.

We no longer have to keep up with the Jones next door, but the hundreds of Jones we now “follow.”  

Social media has virtually dismantled the space between private and public life.

Anyone’s smartphone has the power to capture and broadcast one misspoken word or untimely gesture.

What you do anywhere anytime can be revealed to the entire world.

By fuelling heightened levels of expectations and exposure, social media has become a new cultural arena for honour and shame.

The recent emergence of “internet shaming” and “cyber bullying” testifies to this significant cultural shift: our reputation is now digital.

Read more at honorshame.com.

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Pray that we will remain steadfast in our honour as children of God, and so-doing testify to the Grace of God in our lives to Muslims as well as non-Muslims

Daily action

Try to bring honour where social media tries to induce shame

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 3: Multicultural North America

Image: Mayowa Koleosho (Chicago), Unsplash

LOVEFAST 3: MULTICULTURAL NORTH AMERICA

By Phil from Mahabba Woking

Daily verse

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

— Galatians 3:28, NIVUK

Thought for the day

America has often been described as a great melting pot, into which the peoples of the Old World emigrated and integrated into the New  World, a sort of multicultural soup.

This song  suggests: “You simply melt right in, no matter what your skin”.

Some people prefer the analogy of a Salad Bowl, where the different flavours are retained and enjoyed.

In this one-minute explanation, Prof. Dr. Magala explains the difference:

Coke recently stirred up some strong feelings in their Super Bowl 2017 advert, when America the beautiful was sung in different languages (perhaps suggesting more of a Super Salad Bowl!):

If you have time, watch this 15-minute video, in which each of the seven singers explains how they felt singing in their own language.

Some people felt it should be only sung in English since that is what melting-pot multiculturalism means for them.

These are very deep issues that divide people at the moment, and not just in North America.  

So what about you?  Would you prefer soup or salad as your starter?

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Further information about Lovefast and past entries can be found here:

Prayer for the day

Pray for your own context - the town where you live - that peoples of any and every nation, tribe and tongue - all God’s children made in his image - would be welcome, no matter where they come from. What can you do to welcome them?

Daily action

One way of getting to know local people is to get a take way or visit a local restaurant - going out for an Indian, Lebanese or maybe even a Somali, depending what is around you. Get to know them one bite at a time. Enjoy !

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 2: The Andalouse of Zaghouan, Tunisia

Image: nystagmus, Flickr

Lovefast 2: The Andalouse of Zaghouan, Tunisia

By Chas from Mahabba Croydon

Daily verse

“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’

‘Sir,’ the woman said, ‘you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?’

Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”

— John 4:10-14, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Living water

As a devout Muslim I was happy with my belief. I did not feel the need of a Saviour because it was all about me and my good works.

At school I met a Christian girl and we fell in love. Controversially we got married.

Six months later, we went to a Christian camp. I just went for the holiday!

I entered the end of a meeting as some people were being prayed for. They offered me prayer too.

I thought nothing would happen and they would see that Allah is the true God! When they prayed I started to weep uncontrollably!

God showed me a presentation of all the wrongs that I had done:

This is what you did, I am throwing it into the trash

It was a very humbling and sobering experience. That was the moment when I met with God, and I wanted that forever.

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Further information about Lovefast and past entries can be found here:

Daily action

Jesus said, ‘whoever drinks of the water I give will never be thirsty again’. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share this message with a Muslim you know.

Prayer for the day

Encounters with God are life changing! Pray for the Muslims you know to have an encounter with Jesus.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 1: A family fasts - a mother's view

Image: Rachael Gorjestani, Unsplash

Lovefast 1: A family fasts

By Chas from Mahabba Croydon

Daily verse

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””

— Luke 10:38-42, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Preparing food

I’m Zahrah, a wife, and mother to four young children, and this year again, I face thirty days of cooking special meals along with very little sleep.

When Ramadan falls in the summer, it’s particularly hard:

1am
Get up to cook curry and chapattis. Lay the table

2am
Wake my husband and other family who may be staying over
Eat the meal, finishing with a hot drink
Do our ‘namaaz’, praying we can keep the fast and not think about food
The men go back to sleep and, after clearing up, I can get a few hours’ sleep.

6.30am
Get children up; school run; housework; cooking

7pm
Preparations for opening the fast

9.30pm
Open with dates, water and fruit, followed by dishes like biryani, pilau, samosas and pakoras
Wash dishes and clean up

11.30pm
Bed, after preparing another meal

1am
Out of bed, in time to start all over again!

Inspired by today's entry from the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World entry

Further information about Lovefast and past entries can be found here:

Daily action

Consider fasting in your own way for Muslims to come to know Jesus this month.

Prayer for the day

Think what it must be like in a Muslim family during Ramadan.  Pray for your Muslim neighbour to find freedom in Christ.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!