Ross’s sermon last Sunday struck a chord with many in our church. I know several who felt convicted by what they heard about Taking Responsibility. We humans have tried to shift the blame going all the way back to Adam and Eve, Cain and others. But Abraham, on the other hand, stands out as one who stood up and took responsibility for himself, his family, Lot, and even the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ross reminded us that Abraham is our role model and that God desires us to take responsibility for others, especially those who need Jesus.
We are getting close to the end of Ramadan, a special month for Muslims when adults fast from food and water every day from dawn until sunset. It is also a time of increased praying, giving, devotion and self-discipline. Ramadan is one of the 5 Pillars of Islam and a very important month for the 1.6 billion Muslims on the planet. I am sure many feel a great obligation and responsibility to participate in their holy month.
As the Islamic world is fasting and praying, many followers of Jesus are also praying. They are praying that God will do a mighty work among them and for open hearts to the truth about Jesus and God’s love. They are also praying for the attitudes of Christians and for wisdom as some try to reach out to them.
Christians are praying because all things are possible! Though we don’t hear much about it, God has been moving in the Islamic world. Over the past 15 years there have been 69 reported movements of Muslim peoples to Jesus. Praise God!
July 5th is the last day of Ramadan and the last day of an organized effort to pray for them. The organization sponsoring this 30 days of prayer (Mission Resource Network here in the DFW area) is asking for 100,000 people to be praying for the Muslim world on that last day. Would you pray for those who are seeking God? The vast majority are just trying to survive in this world, take care of their families and honor the God they have been taught about from youth? Like Abraham, will you and I Take Responsibility in this way for these children of Abraham?
You can find more about this prayer effort at www.mrnet.org.
