Call to Pray During This Week of Eid al-Adha

This week, from September 11th to September 15th, Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha, a major holiday that is also known as the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’.

This holiday commemorates the time when Muslims believe that God appeared to Abraham. The day begins with morning prayers and continues by being surrounded by family and feasting.

This is also a time when we, as Jesus followers around the world, can join together and pray for Muslims and Christians in the following ways:

• This four-day celebration corresponds with the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) which is on of the 5 pillars of the Islamic faith. Many Muslims are seeking truth during this time. Pray for them to hear the gospel from the lips of bold believers and to encounter the Truth of Jesus Christ.
• Over 2 million Muslims are celebrating around Mecca this week. Pray for believers in this region to remain strong in their faith, despite increasing pressure, Spiritual oppression and persecution.
• Many Muslims use the celebrations this week to delve deeper into the beliefs of the Islamic faith. Pray that God will use this time to open their eyes and lift from them the veil of deception that is Islam, to reveal to them His love and saving grace through the Truth of His Gospel.
• The Islamic faith dominates many cultures, especially throughout the Middle East. Pray for new Muslim-background believers who often risk their lives whilst living out their secret faith, while their families expect them to celebrate alongside them. Pray for protection and encouragement for these vulnerable believers.
• Many nations where Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Adha are ranked on Open Doors’ World Watch List, countries like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Believers in these nations face some of the worst persecution – pray for God to be their source of comfort, strength and joy during this especially difficult week.

2 Corinthians 4 vs 3: “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.“

Source: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories