Day 4 of 30
By Gillie from Mahabba's Network Team
Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!
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Daily verse
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Thought for the day
The power of forgiveness
In Bosnia, people meet and talk over tiny cups of thick, strong Bosnian coffee. Where I live, my Pakistani friends and I meet and talk over cups of milky chai, flavoured with cardamom and fennel. My Syrian friends and I meet and talk over cups of black tea, flavoured with mint and lots of sugar! Whatever the drink, talk often drifts to the problems people have getting on with each other. Sometimes it is family issues, sometimes problems with neighbours, and sometimes national and international concerns.
Amina is a new believer who reads the Bible hungrily. God’s word is changing her, and changing her relationships. One day, prompted by reading Jesus’ words about forgiveness, she sat down with her mother and forgave her for past hurts. Amina talked about her hope in Jesus and, with tears, her mother said, “These words about Jesus must be true.”
The power of forgiveness is huge in Muslim cultures, where grudges and resentment can damage relationships for years. As people like Amina are transformed by Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven advances.
Prayer for the day
St Francis’ prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life
Daily action
What story could you have ready to share if a Muslim friend asks you about forgiveness?
Your turn
Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!
Resources
Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?
There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:
Pray Together as a Congregation
Small Group Session
Night of Power Prayer Meeting
Prayer Walk Guide
What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.