Samuel M. Zwemer (1867-1952), “The Apostle to Islam,” prayed
this for the Muslims and the Middle East:
Almighty God, our
Heavenly Father, who hast made of one blood all nations and hast promised that
many shall come from the East and sit down with Abraham in thy kingdom: We pray
for thy prodigal children in Muslim lands who are still afar off, that they may
be brought nigh by the blood of Christ. Look upon them in pity, because they
are ignorant of thy truth.
Take away pride of
intellect and blindness of heart, and reveal to them the surpassing beauty and
power of thy Son Jesus Christ. Convince them of their sin in rejecting the
atonement of the only Savior. Give moral courage to those who love thee, that
they may boldly confess thy name.
Hasten the day of
religious freedom in Turkey, Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Africa.
Send forth reapers where the harvest is ripe, and faithful plowmen to break
furrows in lands still neglected. May the tribes of Africa and Malaysia not
fall prey to Islam but be won for Christ. Bless the ministry of healing in every
hospital, and the ministry of love at every church and mission. May all Muslim
children in mission schools be led to Christ and accept him as their personal
Savior.
Strengthen converts,
restore backsliders, and give all those who labor among Muslims the tenderness
of Christ, so that bruised reeds may become pillars of his church, and smoking
flaxwicks burning and shining lights. Make bare thine arm, O God, and show thy
power. All our expectation is from thee.
Father, the hour has
come; glorify thy Son in the Muslim world, and fulfill through him the prayer
of Abraham thy friend, “O, that Ishmael might live before thee.” For Jesus’
sake. Amen.
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