De Islam heeft een grote eerbied voor God. Je zou hun begrip van God kunnen vergelijken met een groot deel van het Oude Testament, waar God almachtig is, volledig wordt vereerd en slechts enigszins kan worden gekend door de allerheiligsten.
We weten dat de Almachtige God een intieme relatie met Zijn volgelingen wil omdat Hij een goede Vader is die de haren op ons hoofd kent (Lucas 12:7). Heer, laat alle nieuwe volgelingen van Christus in Karachi vervuld zijn van vreugde over het kennen van de intimiteit van God, die ons “geliefd” noemt.
“‘Kom, o adem, uit de vier windstreken! Adem in deze dode lichamen, zodat ze weer kunnen leven.” Dus ik sprak de boodschap zoals hij me opdroeg, en er kwam adem in hun lichamen. Ze kwamen allemaal tot leven en stonden op hun voeten – een groot leger” (Ezechiël 37:9b-10). Heer, met één zin – ‘Lazarus! Kom tevoorschijn!’ – U wekte een dode man op; en met één zin -‘Kom, o adem, adem in deze dode lichamen, opdat zij weer leven’ – wekte U een dode natie op; U veranderde hen in een leger: de strijdkrachten van Jahweh.
En vandaag sluiten wij ons aan bij uw woord: Karachi, leef! Ontvang de adem van de Heer, de Geest van de drie-enige God. Word opgewekt tot leven. Keer terug en leef. Wees niet langer dood; sluimer niet langer; wees niet langer ziek. Keer terug naar het leven, Karachi, en leef!
ZIJN LICHT VANDAAG VOORBIJ VERKONDIGEND:
Aga Khan Universiteit
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.
On Fridays we are praying for one of the other most unreached 110 cities in the world. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Lucknow, India and the surrounding regions.
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Kanpur, India and the surrounding regions.
LeesEach Friday, we are praying for one of the other 110 most unreached cities in the world. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Hyderabad, India and the surrounding regions.
LeesThere's Nothing Too Difficult For You, The Firstborn of All Creation
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Bhopal, India and the surrounding regions.
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Asansol, India and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciple-making Principle: FOCUS ON LIVING STONES, NOT BRICKS AND MORTAR
LeesRepentance Leads to Refreshment from God, Who Dwells with Us
LeesOn Fridays we are praying for one of the other most unreached 110 cities in the world. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Amritsar, India and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciple-making Principle: SHARE EFFECTIVELY WITH MANY PEOPLE
LeesToday we'll join with others around the world and pray for Mombasa. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Mombasa, Kenya and the surrounding regions.
LeesOn Fridays we are praying for one of the other most unreached 110 cities in the world. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Djibouti, Djibouti and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciplemaking Principle: KNOW THAT EVERY DISCIPLE IS A DISCIPLE MAKER
LeesOn Fridays we are praying for one of the other most unreached 110 cities in the world. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Khartoum, Sudan and the surrounding regions.
LeesOn Fridays we are praying for one of the other most unreached 110 cities in the world. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Dakar, Senegal and the surrounding regions.
LeesOn Fridays we are praying for one of the other most unreached 110 cities in the world. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Kano, Nigeria and the surrounding regions.
LeesOn Fridays we are praying for one of the other most unreached 110 cities in the world. Pray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Niamey, Niger and the surrounding regions.
LeesReveal Yourself through Awesome Power, Signs, and Wonders
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Conakry, Guinea and the surrounding regions.
LeesMay Our Full Allegiance and Undying Devotion be to King Jesus
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and the surrounding regions.
LeesMay Every Disciple be Baptized in the Authority of the Father, Son, and Spirit
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Medan, Indonesia and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciplemaking Principle: OVERCOME PERSECUTION AND SUFFERING
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Jakarta, Indonesia and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciplemaking Principle: DEVELOP INDIGENOUS PRAISE AND WORSHIP
LeesSave the Baloch Now from Wickedness, May the Baloch Call Upon the Lord
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Bandung, Indonesia and the surrounding regions.
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the surrounding regions.
LeesThe Gospel Response is to Repent and Surrender to Jesus' Authority
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Gaziantep, Turkey and the surrounding regions.
LeesJesus, the historically verified resurrected Messiah
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Ankara, Turkey and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciplemaking Principle: MULTIPLY NEW DISCIPLES AND CHURCHES
LeesJesus, the Messiah, Foretold by Prophets, Fulfilling Every Promise
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Medina, Saudi Arabia and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciplemaking Scripture: GO SLOW TO GO FAST Proverbs 21:5:"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."
LeesISAIAH 40:11: "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Damascus / Homs, Syria and the surrounding regions.
LeesRom 10:15: And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Amman, Jordan and the surrounding regions.
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Basra, Iraq and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciplemaking Scripture: PROCLAIM THE KINGDOM Matt 10:7: "As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand"
LeesAll People Can Experience and Receive the Gift of the Spirit of God
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Jerusalem, Israel and the surrounding regions.
LeesLord above all Lords, your ways are higher than ours. Acts 2:12: Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 'What does this mean?' Daniel 2:47: The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Cairo, Egypt and the surrounding regions.
LeesChrist, Still Confirming the Gospel Message through Miracles, Signs, and Wonders
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Tunis –Tunisia and the surrounding regions.
LeesJOHN 1:7; LUKE 2:32; 1 JOHN 1:5
LeesThe Good News Includes the Generous Gift of the Spirit Provided to All People
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Nouakchott, Mauritania and the surrounding regions.
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Muscat, Oman and the surrounding regions.
LeesDisciplemaking Principle: WHEN POSSIBLE DISCIPLE GROUPS, NOT INDIVIDUALS
LeesGod, give wisdom regarding in whom to invest, both in developing leaders and forming new partnerships.
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Tripoli, Libya and the surrounding regions.
LeesThank the Lord for the love He has given you for the people of Karachi as you prayed for them to encounter Christ this Ramadan. Pray for Him to complete the good work he has begun in Karachi. Take time to listen to next steps God would have you take on behalf of the people of Karachi.
LeesIn many parts of the Muslim world, Islam is passed down more through tradition, family, and society than in formal education. Prayer, fasting, and going on the Hajj are mostly done in a communal context. Today we pray in faith for our brothers and sisters in Karachi to find spiritual community and family. We pray they would have vision for sharing what they are learning about Christ in their community, families, and networks.
LeesLast night many Muslims celebrated the "Night of Power" hoping that God would show up miraculously to change their circumstances (health, financial, relational, etc.). We continue to pray that they would encounter Jesus who already miraculously "showed up" as the Word who became flesh to change their current realities and eternity through His life, death, and resurrection.
LeesPray for the Muslim world at this key time of the Night of Power at the end of Ramadan
LeesThe month of Ramadan is known as ‘the month of repentance'. As we pray for a gospel movement to transform this nation, let us cry out for God’s Kingdom to come, for a spirit of repentance to fall on the peoples living in Karachi, whether they are Sunnis, Shiite, Sufi, or Christians from a Muslim background; rich and poor, young and old, male and female.
LeesMuslims are encouraged to think about the poor during the month of Ramadan, to sympathize with them, and to make donations. Jesus loved the poor and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" (Luke 6:20). Pray for Muslims in Karachi to encounter this radical teaching and to wrestle with His command to not just donate to the poor, but to know that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor.
LeesMuslims do not believe in the divinity of Jesus but in the Quran, Jesus is called the "Word of God". John 1 shares about the Word of God, the Word through whom all things were created, the Word who is God and the Word who became flesh to live among us. Let's pray today that Muslims would seek to understand Jesus as the Word, that they would be interested to read John 1 and the rest of the Injil (Gospels) that they also believe to be Jesus' books. Pray that their understanding of Jesus will be transformed.
LeesIslam is very rules based with laws from the Quran as well as expected ways to live and act from the Hadith (recordings of their prophet's actions). Jesus cares about the heart more than the actions and He's looking for people who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Pray for the people of Karachi to be convicted about their need for a clean heart and to seek Jesus' teachings on the topic
LeesToday many Christians celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Muslims in Karachi may be aware of Easter either in the news or if they have interactions with Christians who may take Monday off as part of their celebration of Easter. Pray today for the people of Karachi to be interested in what Easter is to Christians and to understand what truly happened. Pray that they'd step around the untrue stories they've heard about Christians and Easter and seek the truth and truly understand why Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are so important.
LeesIslam has a high reverence for God. One might compare their understanding of God to much of the Old Testament where God is all powerful, fully revered and only somewhat knowable by the most holy. We know that God Almighty wants an intimate relationship with His followers because He is a good Father who knows the hairs on our head (Luke 12:7). Lord, let all new followers of Christ in Karachi be filled with joy at knowing the intimacy of God, who calls us "beloved".
LeesMuslims deny that Jesus died on the cross and instead ascended to heaven without dying. In their view such a death would be the shaming of a prophet and that God would never let such a thing happen. This belief denies the act of atonement foundational to our faith as Christians. Most Muslims have never had the opportunity for someone to talk to them about how this is the only way for man's atonement, the sinless for the sinful, the most honored one being shamed to cover our shame. As many Christians around the world enter into a time celebrating Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, pray for Muslims in Karachi to have the eyes of their heart opened to consider the possibility of Jesus' death and resurrection. To hear that truth of why Jesus had to die and what accepting His death as payment for sin can mean for them.
LeesCultural and religious conservatism while trying to protect values create distance between people. This can go both ways as Muslims in the west feel ostracized from people who view them as different and in Muslim countries as Christian minorities and foreigners can be viewed with apprehension and kept at arms length. Because of purity laws in Islam, Muslims can be afraid to enter a non-Muslims home (as their dishes may be unclean). This can create distance and lack of opportunity to hear other ways of viewing the world and of relating to God. Today let's pray for a breaking down of divisions and for opportunities for Muslims and Christians in Karachi to relate to each other and to dialogue about spiritual things. Pray for Christians as the minority to not fear their neighbors and for Muslims to have interest in their believing co-workers and a desire to know about them and their faith.
LeesSadly Muslims are taught that the Bible we have today is changed and that they shouldn't read it. Even though the Quran says to read it the vast majority haven't seen a copy in their language. They will tell you that the Bible found during Muhammad's time was still true but that now there is only a corrupted version. What they don't know of course is that there are many copies of the Bible pre-dating Muhammad (who lived around 570 - 632 AD). Let's pray today that Muslims would seek the truth of whether God's Holy Books have been corrupted and have a desire to read them. Pray that they would find translations in their own language that are becoming widely available online and via apps.
LeesAnother of the 5 pillars of Islam is fasting. This month Muslims around the world fast from dawn till dusk from food and water. Many don't know why they fast besides that it is a requirement. It can be hard especially when Ramazan is in summer (Islam goes by the lunar calendar so Ramazan moves each year) and for those who work in hard labor or outdoors. Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30)
LeesA 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. Let's pray for the people of Karachi to be challenged by the contrast between a religious rule and a heart posture and to want to understand more about the "new heart" that the Bible teaches about (Ezekiel 36:26). For generosity to extend throughout the year and to come from a right heart.
LeesMuslims 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. Today we ask the God who entered into our world to show His nearness to reveal Himself to the Muslims of Karachi. Let's pray for divine encounters where people hear His voice and respond to His call. Even during their Namaz.
LeesThe 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.
LeesIn 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. Today we ask God to give the people of Karachi a hunger for His word that they'd be interested in these books and instead of believing those who say they have been corrupted, to read them and see for themselves what they say.
LeesMost 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.
LeesAll That We Are Is You. We Are Completely Reliant on You.
LeesPray for an Acts 19 movement to reach every unreached people and place in Tabriz, Iran and the surrounding regions.
Lees