Prayer Fuel

Pray as the Lord leads you as you read today’s verse

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) ESV

Tunisian testimony

We are relatives from a small Amazigh village, living in poverty without running water or electricity. For centuries, we have worshiped and made sacrifices at a shrine dedicated to an Islamic saint, but our lives remain filled with despair. Recently, some Christians have been visiting our village and sharing stories about the Messiah. These stories fill us with hope. Please pray that we will truly hear and understand their words, so we can know who the Messiah is and what He has done for us.

Praying with insight

One of the 99 names of God that Muslims often reference is “God the Merciful.” It is the one hope many Muslims hold on to when they acknowledge they have no assurance of salvation. Though they would never articulate it, they are hoping that God’s mercy will trump His justice. Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection is the only way God can be completely merciful and just at the same time. Today, as we pray Matthew 5:7 for these people God loves, contemplate what Christian mercy means—we can be merciful because we can trust in a merciful and just God.

For believers

One sister shook her head, accusingly reporting that she had seen another sister from her balcony pretending during Ramadan. “She can’t be a Christian. She put on the prayer shawl at the time of Muslim prayers.” One brother told another, “This verse (where Jesus says that he will deny before the Father those who deny him) haunts me. I think back to that year when my uncle was threatening me. I know that Jesus has forgiven me, and I want to stand firm now, but…” Pray for courage for our sisters and brothers even in times of fear and persecution, and pray also that they would be merciful to one another. Let them not only receive mercy from their Father but also extend mercy to one another.

For the lost

As a believer looked into the eyes of her friend and apologized for bringing danger to her, this not-yet-believer extended mercy. “I know that you are a Christian. I know that you speak of Jesus. You are not pressuring anyone. We all choose. I am glad God brought us together. I know that you did not bring this danger intentionally.” How beautiful is the mercy she extended! This mercy flows because she is made in the image of God, but no good deeds will rescue her. She still needs the cleansing of the blood of Jesus. Pray that she and those like her (who try so hard to be good) would recognize that they need the mercy and justice of God, which is offered through the cross.

For the church

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) NIV God, empower your church in Tunisia to live out this verse. We unite and pray for your church to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. May the church be known for humility, showing mercy, and acting with justice in the community.

For areas of influence

Pray for places of religion in this area. Today, as Muslims enter mosques all over Tunisia, pray for those entering to ponder God’s mercy. As they go through the motions of washing their hands, face, arms, and feet, may it cause them to wonder how God could truly have mercy on the sinful actions done by their hands, faces, arms, or feet. Ask God to move Christians to pray for the people inside the mosques they walk by. Pray for Christians to be quick to show mercy to their neighbors.

Declaration of the scripture

James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
God, fill Tunisia with your wisdom–wisdom that is full of mercy. May the other descriptors of wisdom in this verse fill them as well.

Pray as God leads as you watch this video from Tunisia