John 1:1/ Pray for Muslims During Ramadan
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1
Today marks the beginning of Ramadan for Muslims across the world. Ramadan is a month-long observance of the prophet Mohammad's "first revelation" from God in the 7th century. According to the Islamic faith, God spoke to Mohammad over a period of 23 years beginning in the month of Ramadan. Mohammad's "revelations" are documented in the Qur'an, which is the central text for the Islamic faith.
In the Qur'an, Mohammad claims that Jesus was not crucified (Qur'an 4:157) and not resurrected (Qur'an 4:158). Additionally, Mohammad writes that Jesus was just a prophet in chapter 5, verse 116:
And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah ?'" He will say, "Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. Qur'an 5:116
Mohammad attempts to strip Jesus of His deity here in a conversation with Allah" where Jesus says things like, "Exalted are You!," and "it is You who is Knower of the unseen," According to this text, Jesus is not God.
Of course, this passage is in direction opposition to all of the bible including John 1:1 where Jesus is clearly presented as God. The text said, "and the Word was God." We know this is a reference to Jesus because of verses 14-18 of the same chapter that says,"
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. John 1:14-18
There's no question that the "Word" in verse 1 was referring to Jesus, and that Jesus is God!
So, as approximately 1.8 billion Muslims around the world commemorate Mohammad's "revelations" this month during Ramadan, they do so facing eternal separation from God without recognizing Jesus as Lord and Savior. This is heartbreaking. If you feel led, join in with millions of Christians around the world asking Jesus to reveal Himself as Lord to Muslims.
Here are some prayer prompts to help:
Pray they would see Jesus as God—"In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4
Pray they would see that every prophet was meant to point to Jesus—“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5:17
Pray that God would graciously help them see Jesus as the Messiah—"He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 16:17-18
Pray that they believe Jesus is Lord and that He was resurrected—" 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." Romans 10:9-10
Pray against the works of satan in raising up false prophets—"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." 1 John 4:3
If you want to dig deeper into this, need help, need prayer, or have questions—please reach out to us here: Roots Help & Prayer Form
In Christ,
Pastor Kevin