God's Hand in the Midst of Upheaval

In His prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed for people to come to know Him:
2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Evangelism is supported by the prayers of God's people.   And, we are hearing dramatic stories of people coming to Christ all over the world, especially in the Middle East.   Jesus said to pray for laborers to go into the harvest fields, and He has given us the Great Commission to go into all the world - that is His heart, and He is using a variety of means to share His message so that people might come to know Him and experience eternal life.   Pray that God will touch hearts in various nations of the world!

The apostle Paul encouraged us to be in prayer in a number of different ways.   He wrote in Ephesians 6:
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains.

The Middle East is exploding...

Yesterday, 4 Americans, including Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens lost their lives in an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi.    Also, in Egypt, Islamist protestors climbed the wall of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.    The catalyst was reported to be a film by an Israeli filmmaker who lives in California, a film that does not present the founder of Islam, Mohammed, in a positive light.  

Isn't it interesting that to protest this film, that protestors responded with violence?   Against American interests?   On the same day that 11 years ago, radical Muslims attacked American buildings, financial and military symbols, and killed almost 3,000 people?  

Despite the claims by some that America is not a Christian nation, America is still regarded by those in the Islamic world as the primary representation of the Judeo-Christian ideals.   So, when radicals engage in violent protests, Israel and the U.S. are the principal targets.

And, this tension in that region of the world was predicted long before there was a Mohammed or an Islam - pre-written history by prophets such as Ezekiel and Daniel, who foresaw nations united to come against Israel.   And, since Israel and the U.S. are aligned in the minds of Islamic fundamentalists, then we become the objects of their wrath.

I've been fascinated with the rhetoric that has been emerging.   There was an apparent apology by the Embassy itself condemning "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions"  An early statement by the Secretary of State seemed to have an apologetic tone, as well.  And, the President said:

While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.

The Middle East, specifically the Muslim world, is exploding politically - the Arab Spring has brought new leadership in several nations and has set the U.S. on a very tricky political course - we need to pray for our leaders.

But there is a spiritual explosion taking place, as well.   A number of Christian leaders are citing the growth of Christianity in these nations.  I turned to Jim Denison's blog, in light of the fact that he has written a book about radical Islam.   He says this:

...I'd like you to know about Tom and JoAnn Doyle, dear friends of mine and missionaries with e3 Partners to the Middle East.  Across their years in the Islamic world, they have witnessed first-hand one of the greatest miracles in human history: the revelation of Jesus Christ to Muslims around the globe.  Tom's new book, Dreams and Visions: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? tells the story of this astounding movement.  From Egypt to Saudi Arabia, from Iran to Jordan, from Syria to Iraq and Afghanistan, his stories read like the pages of the Book of Acts.

One chapter tells of an Egyptian evangelist who was rousted from his bed at gunpoint and forced into a room where he was convinced he would be executed.  There he met a group of It'simams (mosque leaders) who had been converted to Christ through visions and dreams and wanted him to teach them the Bible.  Another chapter introduces us to a woman in Saudi Arabia who met Jesus in her dreams and now worships in her bathroom as she prays for her husband to come to Christ.  Each story is proof that God is on the march.

Why is the Spirit using dreams to reach Muslims today?  They are open to such revelation, as their faith began with the visions of the Prophet Muhammad.  Since 60 to 80 percent of the Muslim world is illiterate, God would need to speak to them verbally and directly.

And many Muslims live in countries closed to missionaries and Bibles.  

There are reports throughout the region of believers who are coming to Christ through sovereign, supernatural works of the Holy Spirit - these have been reported by organizations such as the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as Joel Rosenberg's Joshua Fund.

It is truly amazing, when you think about it - in the midst of unrest in that section of the world, God is on the move!   So, when you hear stories of conflict and violence in the Middle East, regard that as a prayer prompt, to intercede for people to come to Christ out of the upheaval.