Dear Intercessors,

"Let all the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You." Ps. 65-5. The call to Christians worldwide to set aside 30 days each year to pray for Muslims originated in 1992 during a meeting of international Christian leaders in the Middle East.  According to the Muslim calendar, this is the year 1431.  We will be quoting from the 2010 "Calling Christians to Pray for the Muslim World." You also may obtain a copy of this prayer tool at 1.888.926.6397 or email: orders@WorldChristian.com. The prayer guide's purpose is to inspire and guide intercessors as they plead for Muslims before the throne of God. In the prayer booklet the command of the Lord is given, "Jesus says, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself", and the question is posed, "Are my ideas and attitudes towards Muslims shaped by this commandment?"

Some Islamic beliefs are: 1. "Allah" - The only true God is unapproachable, unknowable...a God of judgment and not grace...wrath and not love.  2. Jesus Christ:  Islam rejects the deity of Jesus Christ.  He is seen as one of Allah's many prophets.  They accept that Jesus was virgin-born, sinless, servant, prophet, and messenger of God with God-given authority to do miracles.  Most believe that Jesus was taken bodily into heaven without having died.  3. Books of God - The four sacred books are the books of Moses, Psalms, the Gospel, and the Koran.  Muslims believe the Gospels have been altered and are untrustworthy.  4. Judgment, Sin and Salvation.  Islam has no concept of original sin.  Salvation is achieved by works based on fulfilling the requirements of the five pillars of faith:  The Declaration of Faith, Five Compulsory Daily Prayers, Almsgiving, Fasting and the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who die in a holy war are assured of paradise and special privileges.

Key Ingredients for Effective Witnessing 
1. Receive God's heart for the Muslims though consistent prayers for their salvation.  Rom 10:1
2. Demonstrate purity without compromise in your conversation, attitudes and lifestyle.  II Tim. 2:15
3. Love!  Seek to show friendship and kindness in practical ways, without hidden agendas. I Jn.:4:7,8
4. Share your testimony in a natural way. Muslims are affected by a holy person and will talk about God.
5. Use the Word of God. Muslims have a respect for sacred writings.  The Bible has authority. II Tim. 3:6
6. Be sensitive.  Respect their sincere intentions and avoid confrontations about their beliefs.  II Tim. 2:14 

Muslim Beliefs about Christianity:  Trinity: Koran teaches that the Trinity is God, Mary and Jesus and it is considered blasphemy to ascribe a sexual partner to God, and idolatry to worship more than one god.  Love: The Muslim doesn't understand God's love; thinks it is weakness.  They can't accept Jesus' death on the cross.  Forgiveness: Muslim doesn't believe a person can know in this life that he's forgiven and can go to heaven.

We call to your attention two men that God has called to minister to Muslims.  One is Dwight Hutchison. Dwight, his wife, Sabine, and their three daughters who are with YWAM, minister to Muslims in the south of France.  God has blessed their efforts in "friendship evangelism", particularly through their girls.  Greg Davis and his wife, Lori, and their three children are native Clevelanders, who recently returned from being long-time missionaries in Japan. Greg is on staff at a local church and is part of the Crescent Project, which is an organization dedicated to reaching Muslims with the gospel both here in America and abroad. Greg has been trained and seeks to train others, at local churches, through the Bridges Course, a six-lesson course on how to connect and share with a Muslim. From these groups, "Oasis Teams" (prayer and outreach teams) would be developed.  Please pray for these two men and their families.  Dwight and his family are on furlough in Kentucky through August.  To reach Dwight, you can email him at dwight.hutchison@free.fr   Greg resides in North Olmsted and can be reached at greg@ctkchurch.org

This year is the 19th annual 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus, which again coincides with Ramadan (the holy month of fasting in Islam). This prayer movement calls upon Christians to make a concerted effort during this time to learn about, pray for and reach out to Muslim neighbors - across the street and around the world.  May God bless this prayer focus and bring many Muslims into the kingdom of His dear Son.