Prayer Fuel
Hudson Taylor
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies."
Hudson Taylor
“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.”
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies."
“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.”
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.
A third of the 5 pillars of Islam is tithing (zakat). Muslims are required to give 2.5% of their net worth each year to the poor. In Pakistan by default zakat is withdrawn automatically from peoples bank accounts (unless they opt-out) by the government. For many this is another obligation enforced on them. Because of the way the system is enforced there isn't as much a feeling of being generous but just another obligation. When zakat is automatically deducted, the person doesn't even have a say in what way the poor will be blessed by the money. In Karachi there is a huge disparity between the rich and poor. And more than 40% of Pakistanis live below the poverty line. Many Muslims choose to give their zakat during the month of Ramazan (the automatic deductions also happen this month). This can often mean lots of 'generosity' in Ramazan and the poor and beggars will be very active getting hand outs from the rich during this month.
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Muslims pray Namaz (also called Salat) 5 times a day. These prayers are highly ritual and involve specific steps, physical positions (standing, bowing, etc.) and specific phrases. They are preceded by purification rituals and are encouraged to be done in groups. These prayers show great honor to God and doing them consistently requires dedication and devotion. At the same time they can simply be ritualistic actions done in obedience and are one way in nature. God does deserve reverence and devotion, but He is also the God who speaks. We are designed for relationship with Him and we are invited to share our hearts with God and to receive from Him.
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The first of the 5 pillars of Islam is the shahadah. The shahadah is their statement of faith which says "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." Muslims state this declaration of faith 5 times a day during their daily prayer rituals and it is the basis of their beliefs, being monotheistic and following after their prophet's teachings.. There is a high veneration for Muhammad.
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In Islam there are 4 holy books: the Quran, the Tawrat (Pentateuch/Torah), the Zabur (Psalms), and the Injil (the Gospels). Though 3 of these books are found in the Bible, most Muslims have never seen or read the Bible.
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Most Islamic cultures have authoritarian structures. This means that those with power have a lot of sway over what is acceptable and allowed in their society. Some times this is seen as a hindrance to the gospel but it can also open doors. With the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. following Jesus went from being persecuted by the state to first allowed and eventually accepted as the state religion. This came of course with its own issues but it was this change of heart by the authoritarian system that opened the doors for the gospel to spread like it never had before. Today let’s pray for those in authority, in the government but also for tribal leaders and family elders to have a change of heart. That these leaders would encounter Jesus and doors would open for the gospel in Pakistan and across the Muslim world.
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May each person in Karachi and beyond find the 'straight path', the one who said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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Pray today for movements of the gospel to happen among families and especially among the youth. That the new generation would be completely changed by encountering Jesus.
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Pakistani cultures are classified as honor/shame cultures whereas most Western cultures are considered to be guilt/innocence cultures. This means that importance of how someone is perceived is often more important that what is truth. The Jewish culture that Jesus came into was actually an Eastern one. As such, a King in a manger, on a donkey, washing feet, all are pictures both counter cultural and perceived as weak. Some might even say humiliating. Jesus' life and teaching are a shock to this kind of a society where one honors the great and lifts high those with money, status, or power. Jesus deserves all honor but lowers himself willingly. He does so to lift us up. His actions aren't of shame but rather of lowering Himself to our level. He is most honorable yet humble enough to call us friend. Pray for Muslims in Karachi to wrestle with this contrast of someone so great being willing to be so low that they would grasp the audacity of God to reveal Himself through Jesus.
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Muslims believe in the God of Abraham (Ibrahim), Isaac (Ishaq), and Jacob (Yacoob). They know the God who sent a flood but saved Noah (Nuh), saved His people through Moses (Musa), and conquered nations through David (Daoud). However they have a different understanding of who Jesus is. There faith is like the faith of God's people in the Old Testament, having not experienced Jesus in who He is throughout the New Testament. Today we pray for Muslims to encounter Jesus and to really experience Him is that they can decide for themselves who He is.
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The majority of the culture in Pakistan would be viewed as very conservative in the way women are treated. On the one hand there is a culture of protectiveness and honor but often there is a deviation from the intent of culture, and women end up being surpressed instead of protected. Today we pray for both men and women in Karachi to see the value of women who are created by God.
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Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Mashhad, Iran and the surrounding regions.
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We wait on you, Lord, to send your Holy Spirit to empower us to fully obey your great mission.
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Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and the surrounding regions.
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MOVEMENT PRINCIPLE: BE GROUNDED IN THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE
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PSALMS 46:10; 24:1; 82:8
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Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and the surrounding regions.
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