Choose this day whom you will serve

I have read frequently that Muslims need to hear the Gospel many times before deciding to follow Jesus, and that even amazing dreams and visions do not necessarily result in or point toward a salvation experience. Do you, like I, have Muslim friends who like to talk about Jesus but seem unwilling to take a decisive step to truly investigate Him and follow Him?

Muslims we meet in the West may cling strongly to Islam because they fear their faith is in danger of eroding in our godless culture. Others may welcome the West's freedom and materialism and prefer to sit on the fence regarding faith. Perhaps Joshua's challenge to the Israelites once they were established in the Promised Land could apply to these Muslims:

"Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness...But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15)

As often becomes necessary when praying for Muslims, I realize I need to pray for myself too. I remember the evening my heart chose the Lord. I didn't yet know how to serve Him, and didn't know I would subsequently have to make countless smaller choices as temptations rose to serve my own desires and ambitions, the agendas of others, my own human frailty, and so on. But I chose, and my choice changed the course of my family's life as well as mine.

Let's begin by praying for ourselves:

• Jesus, I acknowledge You as my King, and I submit to you.
• Please show me where I've made choices to serve myself, other people's expectations and agendas, the culture - anything that is not You. God, I repent! I lay all those things down, turn away from them and fix my eyes on You (Hebrews 12:1-2).
• I want to behold You more and more, and be transformed into Your likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Now let's pray for our Muslim friends who seem to be on a journey toward Christ but haven't decided yet:

• Father, make Your beautiful face shine on them (Numbers 6:25). Capture their attention and stir up in them the desire to know You.
• We disable every argument and pretension (2 Corinthians 10:5) that has convinced them God doesn't allow them to choose whom they will serve.
• Spirit, You know each one intimately. Lead them to custom-made experiences and conversations that reveal the glory of the Son of God. Show them it is for freedom He sets them free (Galatians 5:1)!
• Help us know how best to help You as You lead the way.

God, we look forward with great anticipation to the day when our Muslim friends declare, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!"