All Days
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.
One of the primary ways God is drawing Muslims to Himself is through simple Bible studies that highlight passages of scripture from Creation through the Resurrection. The Waha app (https://waha.app/) contains many story sets that have been translated into dozens of languages. Throughout the 30 days we will pray through these story sets that reveal Jesus, the Word made flesh.
As you read these familiar passages, prayerfully imagine what it would be like to read them for the first time – to see the wisdom, power, beauty, and authority of God and to be drawn to trust in Christ and yield your allegiance to Him.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
God is both just and loving. In this passage, we see that Jesus—the Anointed One and God Himself—enters the world in humility. He is born not into wealth or power, but into obscurity. His birth is announced not to kings or religious elites, but to shepherds—men of the lowest social status. In doing so, God reveals His heart: Jesus did not come only for the rich, the powerful, or the respected, but also for the poor, the weak, the overlooked, and sinners.
Jesus is Lord, Messiah, Savior, and King. He is sovereign over all things, the promised Anointed One, the only Rescuer, and the everlasting King from the line of David.
This passage reminds us that while people may believe they possess power and control, it is God alone who rules over all things. Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census, setting in motion the movement of thousands of people—likely for taxation and military purposes. Yet unknowingly, he was serving God’s greater purpose: that the Messiah from the line of David would be born in the town of David.
The shepherds show us the beauty of responding to God’s revealed truth. Though initially afraid, they believed what God had spoken, went to Bethlehem, and saw with their own eyes. Then they proclaimed what they had witnessed. Joy follows those who listen to God, trust His Word, and speak of what He has done.
Amira heard about the biblical account of Jesus’ birth and said, “We have that same story in the Qur’an. Mary was a virgin and God breathed a baby alive in her. People didn’t believe that she had never been with a man and so they drove her out of the village. She was under a date tree and ate the dates which gave her strength. When Jesus was an infant, he spoke to people telling them that his mother had done nothing wrong.”
Muslims have a sura in the Qur’an about Miriam (Mary). There are also several other writings about Mary and various versions of the story circulate. All the stories agree on the virgin birth, but none recognize Jesus as divine. Muslims believe that Jesus is a prophet with his own miracles just like Moses or Elijah.
Oftentimes the similarities between the stories in the Bible and the stories in the Qur’an lead to the belief that the Muslim faith and the Christian faith are essentially the same.
As Christians interact with Muslims, pray that they would engage in conversations marked by clarity, humility, and grace. Ask God to help them thoughtfully discuss the differences between the Biblical and Islamic accounts of Jesus’ birth, and to clearly explain the implications of Luke’s Gospel concerning the divinity of Christ.
Philippians 2:6-8 describes Jesus by saying, “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Pray that those accepting the divinity of Jesus would see His submission to the Father and seek to follow His example. Ask that they would become obedient disciples eager to know more about the character and nature of the Messiah.
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.