A study shows that Muslims typically encounter Christian influence (a person, a Bible truth, an answered prayer, a dream, a need met) 36 or more times before choosing Christ. Which of those encounters might you and I make? How can we be effective “links in the chain?”
Ministry to Muslims is not new. Recognizing the sacrificial service of generations of Christian witnesses and the great grace of God, we approach humbly. It is always and altogether His work before it is ours.[i]
1. Nourish your own walk with God (Jeremiah 15:16). Am I currently a student of God’s Word? Feed on a paragraph of Truth daily; the book of John offers a good starting point. 2. Do I take time to commune with my loving Father often in prayer? Pause and Pray (Ephesians 3:14-21). Does my prayer life include worship, confession, asking God for my needs and others’? Do I pray regularly for lost people near and far,[ii] that they might find freedom from sin and new life in Jesus?3. Am I living for things that count for eternity? Self-evaluate (Psalm 139:23-24). Surrender and realign your will with His (Philippians 2:1-13). “Trust God and do the next thing.”[iii] 4. Nurture your particular, God-given skills/gifts (II Tim 1:6,7).
5. Ask God to cause your life to intersect with Muslims. Place yourself in the path of Muslims—in class, at the gym, at work, etc. Ask the Lord for wisdom and ways to befriend and help Muslims; woman to woman, man to man. Pray for increased compassion and courage (II Corinthians 2:14-17). 6. Learn from seasoned, humble “veterans” of Muslim evangelism and ministry (II Timothy 2:1-3). Regularly read about Islam. 7. Be intentional about relating to your Muslim friend. Make that call. Write that card. Go to that location. Bring a few others along. Take advantage of their holidays and yours.[iv] 8. Make regular visits:
Practical Tips: Dress modestly. Take shoes off at the door. Bring family photos (No beach pictures!) and small gifts of food, etc. Don’t be in a rush. Expect to sip tea and stay an hour. Formality is key; learn greetings and appropriate gestures. Women concentrate on women and men with men. Find common interests, issues. Ask questions that lend themselves to cultural and spiritual conversations; be a listening learner. Don’t be afraid of silence. Seek to understand current needs. Find simple ways to help and be helped. Eat the food. Have fun! Relax.
Witness: Over time, share the content of the gospel. Be patient and sensitive to the nudging of the Spirit. Pray for spiritual hunger, along with opportunities to share Truth. Tell Bible stories.[v] Paint word pictures.[vi] Revere holy books; don’t leave the Bible or Koran on the floor. Counter the reputation that Western Christians are immoral; become known for godliness. Be real and give credit to God for His work in you. Testify of answered prayer. Don’t be shy to ask to pray out loud for the food or for spoken needs; Muslims live out faith in public. Prayer is a teaching tool. Pray “in Jesus, the Messiah’s name.” Ask to show Christian films together and discuss. Wait for the day when your friend(s) places allegiance in Jesus. Remember that when a Muslim chooses Christ, he/she will lose family ties. Be family to your new sister(s)/brother(s). You will never be the same.
[i] Adeney, Miriam. Daughters of Islam. Intervarsity: 2002, pages 9-11.
[ii] Imbconnecting.org and thelastletter.org
[iii] Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest.
[iv] Crawford, Trudie. Lifting the Veil. Apples of Gold: 1997, pages 25-30.
[v] Crawford, Trudie. Lifting the Veil. Apples of Gold: 1997, pages 1-25.
[vi] Adeney, Miriam. Daughters of Islam. Intervarsity: 2002, pages 150-170.
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