This month a colleague and I had the opportunity to represent Prayercast on a recording trip where we attended a gathering of Muslim background believers (MBBs) in East Africa. We were tasked with recording prayers for the Love Muslims project, an upcoming series of over 70 Prayercast videos that designed to mobilize widespread prayer for the Muslim world.
While in Africa, we heard a number of testimonies from former Muslims that each had a common theme: persecution. EVery story involved rejection from family members and even death threats.
One of the brothers we interviewed shared that his father tried to kill him after he gave his life to Christ. Another was shunned by his parents, and yet another was forced to seek lodging with a relative. Yet, despite this rejection, they were not deterred from their faith.
In another instance, a brother said he was forced to hide in an attic for three days without food or water. Ironically, the house he was hiding in belonged to a Muslim.
These are but a few of the stories that reflect a genuine faith, tested and strengthened through hardship. Even now, many of these MBBs are threatened by the Muslim community with their lives are in danger.
Despite all of this, we did not meet anyone unwilling to record a prayer for the Muslim world. Because of security reasons, we allowed those who prayed to use a pseudonym.
One gentleman, though, said that he would use his own name, and that if this task was the last that God had for him on earth, he would be satisfied. I felt dumbstruck. This man’s willingness to pray and the humble boldness with which he spoke were remarkable.
As I reflect on this trip, I remember the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
The many testimonies and prayers we heard are filled with passion and a yearning to see Muslims come to salvation in Jesus Christ, to accept Him as their personal Savior and to live in the truth of the Gospel. May this be our prayer as well, for the Muslim world to come to know Jesus Christ and His love for them.