Open Doors met up with Philip Yancey on his recent UK tour and asked him about prayer and the Persecuted Church.

During Ramadan Muslims all over the world earnestly seek Allah. Let us pray that they find Jesus
During Ramadan Muslims all over the world earnestly seek Allah. Let us pray that they find Jesus

"I present my world, whatever its circumstances, to God and ask for God's help in equipping me to counter the forces of evil.

So that's one thing that Open Doors offers by encouraging people to pray; they tap into an enormous power resource. It doesn't work like a vending machine, it doesn't always work like we want it to work, but we do believe that ultimately it is a very powerful force.

In prayer we stand before God to plead our condition as well as the conditions of the world around us. In the process, the act of prayer emboldens us to join the work of transforming the world into a place where the Father's will is indeed done as it is in heaven."

You can read more on prayer in Philip Yancey's new book, 'Prayer - does it make any difference?'

1 Timothy 2:1-3: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Saviour.

By standing alongside 'people' before our God, by praying, by sharing our love - 'people' become more than that, they become our friends. Even those who would seek to harm us then become someone we develop a Christ-like compassion for, rather than the object of our fear and derision. That's the great beauty of the Kingdom of God. It's been said that to change the world you must start with yourself. By praying and interceding we are changed in a gradual and relentless fashion and we are promised that it is into the image of Christ.

"Assalaamu aleikum" ("Peace be upon you"). All over the Arab and Islamic world this is the traditional Muslim greeting, a reassurance to a stranger that you wish them no harm. The reply? "Wa aleikum assalaam wa rahmatullah wa barakaath" ("And upon you the peace and the mercy of God and His blessings")

It's a simple prayer in everyday use. And as Muslims around the world finish this month of Ramadan, why not make it your simple prayer for them? CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.