JOIN GOD'S SPIRIT ON THE MOVE AMONG MUSLIMS
Over the past two decades, there has been a remarkable spiritual shift. Like a desert bloom, conversions of Muslims to the Christian faith have been observed from North Africa and the Middle East to South and Southeast Asia including countries such as Iran, Algeria, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
In his book, A Wind in the House of Islam, David Garrison, a 25-year missionary, researched and documented between 2 and 7 million Muslim conversions to Christianity. This range accounts for the difficulty in accurately tracking religious conversions and the personal risks to Muslim background believers in publicly declaring their new faith.
Barriers to Conversion
This spiritual shift is remarkable because of the formidable barriers to conversion.
1. Cultural and Social Pressure: The tight-knit nature of Muslim communities makes it difficult for individuals to break away from their cultural and social norms. To embrace a different faith is tantamount to rejecting one’s heritage and dishonoring the family.
2. Religious Persecution: Converts can face threats, harassment, violence, or even death at the hands of their own families, communities, and governments.
3. Misconceptions about Christianity: Many Muslims believe that Christianity is polytheistic due to the concept of the Trinity, which contradicts Islam’s strict monotheism.
4. Legal and Political Constraints: In some countries, apostasy (leaving Islam) is illegal and punishable by imprisonment or execution.
5. Economic Dependence: Those who rely on their clan or community for financial support can be disowned by their family and fired from their jobs for leaving Islam.
Taking Down Barriers
Garrison’s findings and personal testimonies list the following factors contributing to conversion in spite of the high cost:
1. Personal Encounters with Christians: Positive interactions with Christians who demonstrate love, kindness, and integrity can challenge negative stereotypes and open hearts to the Christian faith.
2. Spiritual Experiences: Many converts report experiencing dreams, visions, or other supernatural encounters that lead them to explore Christianity and ultimately convert. These experiences are often described as powerful and life changing.
3. Access to Christian Media and Literature: Reading the Bible or other Christian literature, watching or listening to Christian media programs, can provide valuable information and inspiration for potential converts.
4. Dissatisfaction with Previous Beliefs: Some converts express a sense of dissatisfaction or unanswered questions within Islam, prompting them to seek alternatives in Christianity.
5. Prayer and Intercession: The prayers and support of the global Christian community can create a spiritual environment conducive to conversion. Many converts feel a sense of being drawn to Christianity through prayer.
6. Sense of Peace and Fulfillment: Many converts find a sense of unprecedented peace, joy, and fulfillment in their pursuit of the new faith. This inner transformation is often a significant factor in their decision to convert.
7. Miraculous Healings: Some converts report miraculous healings or witnessing miraculous events, which they attribute to the power of prayer and the presence of Jesus in their lives.
Join the Global Movement
In the conclusion of his book, David Garrison makes an appeal for Christians to understand and engage with their Muslim neighbors, to show love and respect instead of fear and hostility.
He urges Christians to support and participate in the movements of the Holy Spirit among Muslims through prayer, resources, and mission work.
Garrison especially highlights consistent and fervent prayer that has led to spiritual breakthroughs for Muslims These prayer movements have also fostered a sense of global Christian solidarity as believers around the world unite to pray for the salvation of Muslims.
On February 28 the sacred month of Ramadan begins. From sunrise to sunset, devout Muslims fast and devote themselves to almsgiving and prayer.
Some missionaries would fast and pray during Ramadan for significant conversations with Muslims during this holiest time of year for them. Ramadan is a time of spiritual battle when conversions have been reported. We encourage Christians around the world to join forces with the Spirit in prayer.
Real & Lasting Shalom
Refugee crises, terrorism, and civil wars continue from Europe and Africa to the Middle East and Asia, causing human tragedies for many Muslim peoples and their neighbors. Poverty, illiteracy, and disease are aggravated by sectarian and ethnic strife. Political efforts to broker peace and humanitarian efforts to bring healing, help, and hope must continue. But there will be no lasting shalom without knowing the Prince of Peace, whose shed blood alone reconciles man to God, man to man, and people to people.
Pray for
· The love of God to touch Muslims in many and various ways.
· Openness to the Gospel as many Muslims are scattered around the world, creating a diaspora into places[1] where they can be reached more readily by Christian witness.
· Pious Muslims to encounter Christ as they seek truth and help in these desperate times.
· Christians and churches to awaken to the urgent need to learn about, pray for, and become good neighbors to Muslims.
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you. (Hosea 10:12)
[1]Read about "An American Teacher and his Muslim daughters”. He becomes a father to his students, who are far away from their homelands. One of them has recently come to faith.