Calling Christians to Pray . . .

Ramadan begins March 22. It is the ninth, and considered holiest, month of the Islamic calendar. It is believed that the Qur’an was first revealed to Muhammad during this month. This yearly observance provides Christians with a specific opportunity to pray for and engage with Muslims.

Muslims worldwide will be fasting, praying, and seeking Allah. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, fasting is a Muslim’s highest form of worship. They fast from dawn to sunset every day of Ramadan to suppress their earthly desires, receive atonement for their sins, and increase their faith and devotion to Allah. In the evenings, they gather to break the fast, enjoy time together, pray, and read the Qur’an.

During this month, many Muslims are spiritually attentive and are seeking revelation from Allah. They believe dreams are a way he reveals himself to people and are especially aware of dreams and visions during Ramadan.

Ramadan is also a time when many Muslims increase their charitable giving to the needy which is another one of the Five Pillars.

This yearly observance provides Christians with a specific opportunity to pray for and engage with Muslims.

Pray that Christ will be revealed as Lord and Savior through dreams, visions, and His people.

Pray for new Muslim-background believers as they respond to questions and scrutiny for not participating in Ramadan festivities.

Pray for believers to be emboldened by the Holy Spirit in taking opportunities to share the Gospel and exemplifying the love of Christ with their Muslim friends and family.

Please continue praying for souls to be saved through the end of Ramadan, 4/21.

(From Global Frontier Missions)

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 FBA Faith Promise Missionary Mervat ministers to families whose children have cancer. She shares the Gospel and the message of hope in Christ. She offers encouragement to parents while their child is hospitalized or following a death. In losing her own son, Joseph, to cancer, God opened the door for Mervat to minister to others.  Mervat translated a book into Arabic titled I Don’t Do Crazy Anymore, which was written by Dr. Joel Hunter after losing his granddaughter to cancer. This book is shared with families in the cancer unit of hospitals and is used throughout the Arab-speaking world. She also translates Sunday School materials sent to churches and orphanages in Jordan and Egypt. Mervat’s greatest role is ministering to her three sons. Their home is used as a refuge for their friends where the love of Christ is openly shared. Pray for wisdom for Mervat as she counsels and advises the families of children with cancer. Pray that many Arabic families will come to Christ as Mervat builds relationships with them. Pray that God will use the materials she translates to reach many for Christ and disciple them.

If you would like to encourage Mervat in her ministry through prayer and communication, perhaps you would like to participate in our MAP (Missionary Adoption Program). Please contact dhall@fba.org or call 770.234-8235.

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PRAYER & PRAISE ~ March 22-28, 2023

3/22 Al & Linda Bridges 

BEE World, USA/Worldwide 

Please pray for the finalization of training in a North Africa country. Pray also for a successful convening for pastor training organizations, which Al will lead in Dallas from March 22-24.

 

3/23 T & D

Asia 

Pray for T and D as they prepare for a move to join a missionary training center. They will be mentors and trainers for their nine-month training program for new missionaries from mostly America. They feel this is a perfect role for them to move into. The first class of students will begin in August.

 

3/24 J & M-C

Middle East 

J and M were in several meetings with teammates recently and were so encouraged to hear of some in the local religion who are currently engaging in Bible studies. Some have come to faith, and some are on the journey.

 

3/25 Larry & Peggy Anderson 

Youth Outreach United, USA                                                        

In Ignite316, twenty-three young people committed their lives to Christ in one school in January. That’s twenty-three young people who are now learning the “Truth,” from God Himself through His Word. Pray as Y.O.U. is seeking a director, called by God, for their apartment ministries (prayer answered recently).

 

3/26 T & A 

Central Asia 

T and A have now started marriage lessons with three couples who are in a house church together. One couple is particularly struggling. All are so keen to learn and grow. Pray each of these three couples will experience God’s blessing as they seek to build a stronger marriage.

 

3/27 Donna Ferch 

Friends in Action, USA/Bolivia 

Pray that Donna’s cancer treatments will do their job, and God’s healing grace will be strong. The Bolivia river ministry team was able to travel via road to the community of San Juan, where a new church plant is under way. Pray for much spiritual growth.

 

3/28 F & T 

Asia 

The plans for 123 NextGen are coming along. The team met to talk through mentoring the five or so students who will study for two years and will help them prepare for future ministry and leadership, learn about missions and pastoring and/or serving in a church when they finish. Pray for their team as they walk with them through application times and mentoring.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 (NASB) 

Our monthly Prayer & Praise Calendar is also available on fba.org/globalmissions