Pray for North Africa

This week is the celebration for Eid al-Adha. This is a celebration, the largest of the calendar year in the Muslim world, to remember that God provided a ram to Abraham to keep him from sacrificing his son (Ishmael) on the altar.

Muslims do not believe that Jesus died as a sacrifice for many, but that God would never allow one of his prophets to experience shame in this way. Sacrifice, especially that God would sacrifice his own Son on behalf of sinners is very counterintuitive. As you pray this week, pray for revelation of Jesus as the Lamb who was Slain.

Romans 12:1-2 NIV
¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Thanksgiving (2-5 min): Read Romans 12:1-2, Thank God for any and every way you have experienced his goodness this week:

• Having food to eat
• Living under a shelter
• For being unconditionally loved by God
• For being called according to His Purpose
• …

Worship (2-5 Min): Reread Romans 12:1-2. Worship God for who He is. Draw inspiration from this passage as characteristics of God stand out to you

• Merciful
• Renewing
• Transformative
• …

Intercede (5-10 Min): Reread Romans 12:1-2. Ask for what comes to mind here.

• Ask that people in North Africa would experience the Mercy of God.
• Ask that people in North Africa would be renewed in mind and body to worship God as living sacrifices.
• Ask that others would be able to experience God’s mercy and goodness this week just as you have.
• Ask for yourself and any people you know living in North Africa to be strong and not conform to the patterns of this world.
• …