VIDEO: Hajj 2011

This weekend is the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the pillars of Islam. Learn about the traditions of the Hajj observed on each day. Thanks for praying throughout the weekend for Muslims on the Hajj. You can print the prayer guide mentioned in the video (PDF) here.

Tonight: Islam's Night of Power

Tonight Muslims honor Mohammed's reception of the Qur'an during what is called the Night of Power. It is a time to perform rituals but more importantly, make special requests of God. The Muslim's requests would be no different than anyone else's: prayers for provision, for safety, for families. But normally, Muslims do not go directly to God with these requests. This is a special night, a time of openness and seeking God's Power.

Please pray for Muslims tonight, that they would hear the voice of Jesus. Pray many would have dreams of Him and be drawn to learn more about Him in the Bible. Pray for believers who will be among Muslims tonight. Pray they will have opportunities to pray to Jesus with Muslim friends and colleagues. Pray for God's power to touch the Muslim world -- tonight, and for years to come.

VIDEO: update on Pakistan floods

An encouraging look at the massive efforts undertaken by OM Pakistan since the flooding there last year. You can still give to the relief work there from the U.S. through the Pakistan Flood Relief page.

VIDEO: praying for Turkey

This video from CryOut offers many prayer points for the country and people of Turkey.

Pray for the Hajj

The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, has begun and runs through November 17.  Please pray for those participating in the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.  This video offers prayer points -- thanks for praying.  

Would You Take Food From Christians?

Delivering food to flood victims, an OM team arrived at the Madrasa, or Muslim seminary. "We asked the chief Mullah if they needed food," said a team leader, "They said they were very hungry and had not eaten in the last 2 days. We asked if they would like to take food from Christians. They said, 'We think you are better than our Muslim who is selling food with very high price.' They accepted food packets from our team and were very happy."

The team marked each bag with a sticker that says in the local language:



HELP FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
From: Pakistan Christian Brothers
Contact: Christian Brother N
Phone No.: xxx xxx xxxx



Pray that many long-term connections will be built as OM Pakistan continues to serve their neighbors during this time. Pray for many workers to come alongside, as the scope of this tragedy continues to grow.

You can give to Pakistan Flood Relief Here.  Thanks for your help and prayers.

OMusa.org

Ramadan begins

Muslims begin their 30-day observance of Ramadan today, where they fast daily from dawn until dusk. You can learn more and pray through this time with The 30-Days Prayer Network.

Please pray specifically for Muslims in Pakistan. Many have already been without food for several days because of flood waters and continuing rains.  Most firewood is wet, so even those with food have been unable to cook it  Those needing food can only receive aid from dusk until dawn, according to law.  Pray for these nightly relief efforts, that people will be able to get goods safely.  Pray for the OM Pakistan team and for all those distributing food during this time.

Give to Pakistan Flood Relief here.  Thank you for your help.

short movie about a Muslim who met Jesus

Enjoy More than dreams: The Story of Khosrow, how one man found the Lord Jesus Christ:

Continue to pray for Shiite Muslims

Here are the last two prayer prompts for Ashura (click pictures to read the prompts), a time that ends in many men performing self-mutilation in remembrance of a Muslim martyr.








Shiite Muslims continue to be attacked during this time. Many explosions have gone off during Ashura gatherings all over the Muslim world this week. Pray for the safety of the Shiites and for someone to tell them about the one who shed His blood for them.

Day 8: Supremacy of Jesus

This Christmas Eve, remember Shiite Muslims who still need to know the love and the supremacy of Jesus.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 7: Shiite households

While you are preparing your own home for the joy of Christmas Eve, lift up Shiite families who are in a traditional season of mourning, that they might know the hope that you have.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 6: Influential Shiite Men

As we are preparing for Christmas, Shiite Muslims are preparing for Ashura, a day of ceremonial chest beating, to mourn the suffering of an Islamic martyr, one of Muhammad's grandsons. Join with us in prayer during these 10 preceding days of Ashura.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 5: obedient followers of Jesus

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 4: stepping out of your comfort zone

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

y 3: seekers of God

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 2: Dreams and Visions

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

Day 1: Shiites and fear

Today is the first of the Islamic month Muharram and the therefore the first of a 10-day observance of Ashura.

Click this picture for today's Ashura prayer prompt from cryoutnow.org.

You can subscribe to their email list here.

For an introduction to Ashura, watch this video.

PRAY: 10 days of Ashura

Today is the first day of Ashura for Shiite Muslims worldwide. Remember to pray for this time, which ends in self-mutilation rituals. To help you pray, you can sign up to get prayer updates for Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Algeria: a terrorist has a dream

Adel was a Muslim terrorist in the late 80's and was selected to go to Afghanistan and work with Osama bin Laden. But he could not get a passport so he stayed in Algeria. He soon saw a list of people Al Qaeda wanted to kill and found that his brother, a Christian, was one of them.

Disappointed with fundamentalism, Adel decided to leave and went back to his hometown. He talked with a friend from school who was suffering because of her Christian faith. She had heard about the Lord through Christian radio. She had no Bible, no books, only the radio for discipleship. Adel told her, "I can help you; my brother is a Christian."

However, Adel still was not a believer himself. So one night he had a dream in which he saw four doors. He opened the first and it was completely dark. He thought to himself, "I won't go in there". Behind the second door were people drinking and dancing. "No," he thought. Opening the third, he saw an imam preaching holy war and decided, "I have had enough of that." When he opened the fourth door, he saw an incredible light and a man in beauty and glory. The man was holding Adel's friend from school and saying, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Adel had never heard this verse before, nor did he know it was from the Bible.

The next day he told the dream to his brother who explained "the Lord is asking you to give Him your life". Adel soon proposed to his Christian friend from school. She said no, she could only marry a Christian, and that was the first time he confessed his new faith. He is in full-time ministry now.

Early on, the local police followed Adel and eventually brought him in for questioning. He was no longer wearing Muslim clothing or a full beard, so the police asked what happened. Adel told the story of how God had taken his heart of anger and vengeance and given him a heart of love and forgiveness. The policeman was amazed and said, "Go and preach and if anyone stops you, come and tell me".

Please pray for Adel's continued favor in the country as he is planting churches and following up with new believers.