Lord, Open our Hands
| Allowing God to open our hearts and our eyes, we are ready to take action ? to open our hands as we ask God how he wants to use us as a loving neighbour. Ask God what he has given you that he is calling you to share. |
Ask God what he has given you that he is calling you to share |
Is it coming alongside as a friend? An ability to teach or tutor? The gift of prayer? Advocacy? Support and encouragement? Providing furniture for newcomers? Giving funds for ministries? Job search help? Showing appreciation for their culture? Offering hospitality?
Working with a team of other believers to provide services? Inviting them to participate in special celebrations such as Christmas? Praying with them when they share a concern? Helping with income tax returns? Of course the deepest act of love is sharing the Good News of Jesus through both actions and words as the Holy Spirit leads you.
|
Muslim Numbers
• Islam is one of the fastest growing religions int he world
• Approx. 1.3 billion Muslims around the world
• Approx. 750,000 - 800,000 Muslims in Canada
• 6-7 million Muslims in the United States
• Arab Muslims make up 15 percent of total
• Islam is one of the world's three monotheistic religouns (believing in one God); Christianity and Judaism are the other two
Source: Journalist's Guide to Islam, Council of American-Islamic Relations Canada |
Love will be sensitive to the culture and lifestyle of the Muslims we befriend. Muslims vary in their adherence to Islamic rules and traditions. You can ask your friend about his practices. It is important not to offend their sense of morality.
In my experience, women need not wear a hijab, but must dress with extra modesty. Many Muslims will only eat halal meat products. Women need to build friendships only with women, and men with men.
In fact, it is best to never greet someone of the opposite sex by extending a hand for a handshake. This offends some. Wait and shake hands only if they extend their hand first. These are a few basic guidelines. You can easily learn more specifics by reading Christian literature available on relating to our Muslim neighbours.
Lord, lead us together
Teaming up with other believers brings the gifts of the Body together. Small groups can become prayer partners for individuals who have a Muslim friend. Prayer is foundational for every step!
It's been neat to see how a Muslim friend has been loved by different Christians in different ways. I met Sara through English as a Second Language (ESL). She left ESL for fulltime studies, but our relationship continued. She often asks me to pray for her.
Her son was loved by volunteers from two different churches at a five day camp. Others loved by giving financially so camp could be highly subsidized. A man is tutoring this son. Another man took her husband's resumé to support him in finding a job. A number of individuals bring Jesus' love and light to this family by praying for them.
Imagine this being repeated thousands of times across Canada! Imagine the light of Jesus shining brighter and brighter in their communities!
Someday, individuals from every Muslim background ethnic group of earth will be found in heaven, shouting praises for their salvation to God and to Jesus, the Lamb (see Revelation 7:9, 10). Won't it be exciting to see some of the Muslim neighbours we have loved standing among us?
For More Information
Fellowship of Faith for the Muslims http://www3.sympatico.ca/ffm.toronto/mfm.html
Answering Islam http://answering-islam.org/
Muslim Canada http://muslim-canada.org/index.html
