By a member of SEND’s Diaspora | North America team - 

I looked up and said to our host, “You have a guest coming tonight.” Her head jerked up and she said, “What did you just say?” I said, “There is a stick floating in my cup of hot tea, which I was told in your country means that a guest is coming to your house very soon.” She suddenly laughed out loud and trying to shyly cover her broad smile with her hand said, “You really do know our country and people! I have not heard or thought about those simple words in seven years since we first left Afghanistan. But it is true, if you have a small tea stick floating straight up in your tea you will soon get a guest to your house.” Now it was my turn to laugh. Afghans are very hospitable people and are always visiting each other, so it is a very safe prediction to make - that you will soon get a guest - whether you see anything floating in your tea or not. (Afghans traditionally, serve tea using loose tea leaves instead of tea bags, so there was almost always something floating in your tea.) Well, after that “a guest is coming” comment, we were off talking about a whole range of things about her country and people.

But the conversation was launched by just a brief little comment about her country. People, and especially recent immigrants we have noticed, appreciate it so much when someone shows interest in their country. In our particular situation, as it often does, it opened up to a conversation about customs and culture and then grief and pain - which led us to offer prayer for peace and healing for her country and people, and also for her and her family. Prayer is very rarely turned down, and we encourage you when interacting with Muslims to offer to pray for them. Ask for prayer requests, or just pray for things that come up during the visit, and end the prayer in Jesus' name. Make that a practice and become known as people of prayer and people who respect God.

Immigrants who come here are overwhelmed by everything at first, but they soon begin to start sorting things out. It won’t be too long before you will hear comments like, “you’re not like the other Americans that I have met.” Ask them what they mean by that or take the opening and just say that you are not perfect, but you are a follower of Jesus. Share that you ask him through daily prayer to lead and guide you on the right path. Say that Jesus has forgiven your sin and shame and made you into a new person. Go ahead and mention that only approximately 15% of Americans follow Jesus. Share your sorrow that more Americans don’t follow him and that you pray that one day they will too. It is important for Muslims to learn that not all Americans are Christians because that is their perception when they arrive. It is also important for them to see and hear you pray. Their faith is very visible, as they perform their prayers publicly and audibly. They go to the mosque, sometimes several times a day, and if they never see you head for the church for prayers, then they will wonder how much faith you actually have. Of course, we don’t want to give the impression that our faith is earned or achieved, but we do want them to see our faith lived out.

Ramadan

Ramadan, the Islamic month of extra prayer and fasting starts this year at sundown on April 2. Let me encourage you to get ready for it by getting a 2022 copy of The 30 Days Prayer Guide for the Muslim World. Order either a hard copy ($9.00 for three copies plus shipping) or a digital download at www.worldchristian.com. It would be great if you could read through it daily with a group of friends or individually. Each reading is about a half-page with related prayer requests on different Muslim peoples. Join Christians around the world and pray 10 minutes a day to change the world!

10/10 Prayer Initiative

• Some Christian workers have not been able to return to their places of ministry for almost two years now, because of Covid 19 and the resulting confusion, turmoil, and fear of world governments. Other countries are closed because of war. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to open these closed doors to allow his people to reach those places that so desperately need to hear the gospel.
• Praise God that Bible translation can continue via the internet, even when travel is difficult and physical borders are closed. Pray for the safety of these precious workers, who are bringing the light of the gospel to dark and difficult places.
• Pray for the tens of thousands of Afghans who have fled their country and are seeking a better life elsewhere. Pray for churches to reach out to help these vulnerable and traumatized people find true peace for the first time in their lives. Pray for visions and dreams to lead to changed lives.