The Wondrous Spirit (2)

This week we continue looking at some ways in which the Holy Spirit helps us as we pray for and minister among Muslims. Our fleshly nature is subject to so many desires, distractions and needs that, on our own, we repeatedly fail to live up to what we would like to do for Jesus. He told the three disciples, who kept falling asleep as He prayed alone in Gethsemane, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt 26:41). They were the very ones who had seen Him glorified on the mount of transfiguration!

I’ve been praying for some discipleship training events happening halfway around the world at the time I normally sleep. One night I felt prayer was needed throughout the night, but I just couldn’t spend the night awake. I believe it was the Spirit who gave me the idea to ask to be awoken from time to time during the night when I could instantly go into prayer and continue until I fell asleep. It happened about 4 times, and I was satisfied I had accomplished my assignment this way at this time. The Spirit is our advantage (putting us in a favorable or superior position), as promised by Jesus. “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you” (Jn 16:7).

In the field of Islam, we encounter a comprehensive system designed to deny Christ. One tenet of Islam is that people don’t need to be saved from sin; rather, they need to be rightly guided to success. But God says people have to acknowledge their sin to realize their need for salvation. Thankfully, this heavy lifting is not our job. By God’s design, it’s the Holy Spirit’s responsibility: “And when [the Spirit] comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…” (Jn 16:8).

• Jesus, thank You for sending Your Spirit to us. We want to fully access His help. Help us discern what is Your job, Holy Spirit, and what is ours.
• Spirit, convict Muslims of their sin and prove to them that all their works cannot make them righteous. May we, whom You are transforming into Christ’s image (2 Co 3:18), be living proof to them of His power to save, heal and deliver.

“When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Co 2:1-5).

• Spirit, Your power dwells in us. May we have faith and courage to depend on You through every challenge, trial, rejection – every force that tries to throw us off our mission to preach the Gospel.
• Show Your power to Muslims so their faith doesn’t rest on human wisdom but on Your power. Reveal the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Co 4:4-7).

^“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction…[Y]ou welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so…your faith in God has become known everywhere… (1 Th 1:4-8). “For the kingdom of God is [a matter] of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Ro 14:17).

• Thank You for loving and choosing us and for demonstrating Your power by saving us! We are loved! May our faith become known everywhere as we display Your righteousness, peace and joy in every circumstance. Your Kingdom come in us!
• Muslims who convert suffer. Pour out Your Spirit on those choosing Christ to sustain them.