Intercessory prayer is a vital part of evangelizing Muslims. Without prayer, we cannot expect to make any lasting spiritual impact. As Dr. Ayman S. Ibrahim states in his book Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel, “Unless we recognize that God is the one who draws souls to him and saves them, our work is in vain.” The battle we face is not one of flesh and blood. Recognizing that we are engaging in a spiritual battle, we must depend entirely on the Holy Spirit as we seek to serve and reach Muslims with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Ramadan, the holiest month for billions of Muslims, is marked by daily fasting from sunrise to sunset as they seek to earn favor with their deity. In response, three years ago, the Jenkins Center began hosting daily prayer meetings throughout the month of Ramadan. As followers of Christ, we believe in the primacy of prayer, both in seeking the salvation of the lost and in advancing the Gospel. Every day during Ramadan, we gathered to intercede for the 1.8 billion Muslims around the world and the work of evangelists serving locally and globally.
This year’s prayer meetings were especially encouraging and fruitful. We were blessed to see fellow students, staff, and faculty faithfully joining us in prayer, knowing that our God delights in the prayers of His people and answers according to His perfect will. It was a beautiful way to begin each day and a powerful way to participate in God’s global mission. We are deeply grateful for what the Lord has done through this prayer ministry, and we look forward to continuing to intercede for Muslims as we seek to reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Here is some feedback from faculty and students who participated:
“I am so grateful for the work of the Jenkins Center and for the prayer focus each morning during the Muslim month of Ramadan. It’s a humbling joy to unite with students in praying for the salvation of 1.8 billion Muslims across the globe. Together, we trust that God is moving, drawing hearts to Jesus, and that our prayers play a vital role in God’s redemptive mission.”
– Dr. Paul Akin, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration
“I appreciated being in the presence of brothers and sisters with diverse testimonies and ministry experiences, lifting our prayers for our brethren around the world. I commend the Jenkins Center team for their conviction to pray scripturally for specific needs of the family of God in particular places with pressing needs.”
– Dr. Adam Winters, Archivist, James P. Boyce Centennial Library
“What an honor and a privilege to pray for my nation, India, with my dear brothers and sisters in Christ from other nations. I was deeply humbled and touched by their earnest prayers for my country. I thank and praise God for this opportunity.”
– Ruth Endluri, M.A. Student from India