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Comment by Andrew R. Wheeler on April 27, 2020 at 8:40am

Day 03 — APRIL 26, 2020 The Tijaniyyah Abdul hurried through the dark to join the celebration of the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, which began at midnight in his village in Senegal. As a Tijani, a member of the Sufi order known as Tijaniyyah, this event was the most important gathering of the year. Abdul and his fellow Tijanis would spend the night chanting, reciting poems and sharing speeches about the life of Muhammad. The Tijaniyyah originated in the 1780s in what is now Algeria, as a reaction to the dominant Muslim order, the Qadiriyyah, which was conservative and fundamentalist in its view of Islam. Tijanis were more focused on social reform and a grassroots revival of Islam with an emphasis on developing culture and education. Sufi orders, or tariqas, are like different paths to spiritual enlightenment within the mystical practice of Islam known as Sufism. The Tijaniyyah order is most widespread across West Africa, particularly in Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Niger, Chad, Ghana, Northern and South-western Nigeria and some parts of Sudan. They are an exclusive order: Tijanis cannot belong to any other Sufi orders. Chanting and the repetition of holy phrases is an important practice for them. They have formulas to repeat daily, both individually and at regular communal gatherings. These include the name of God, short prayers, and other phrases aimed at turning their focus towards God.   HOW WE CAN PRAY 1. THE TIJANIYYAH movement is most active in a region that has thousands of unreached Muslim people groups. Pray for movements to Christ that are happening among some of these groups and for Christians who work among them. 2. IN SOME NATIONS, Tijaniyyah leaders have great influence. Pray that they will use this influence for the peace and well-being of the people of West Africa. 3. PSALM 136 is an example of a repetitive Psalm, used by Christians to remember God’s love. Be inspired by the words of this Psalm to pray for the Tijaniyyah.

Comment by Andrew R. Wheeler on April 25, 2020 at 10:30am

Day 02 — APRIL 25, 2020 Sufism in Turkey The movement of Sufism is widespread in many parts of the Islamic world. It emerged soon after the rise of Islam and emphasizes the inward, spiritual dimension of the Muslim faith. Sufis pursue a divine connection, sometimes through self-sacrifice or ecstatic forms of meditations, such as speaking or dancing themselves into a trance. An example of this is the Turkish Mevlevi Dervishes during their whirling dance. Every Sufi is member of an order that is formed around a grandmaster, who is a descendant of the prophet Muhammad and has great power over each member. The orders do not just influence their members, they impact the whole society they are part of. In Turkey, for example, it is assumed that the faith and practice of almost all Muslims is shaped by Sufi ideas. Sufism is banned in a few countries for being politically active, but they exist and thrive throughout the Muslim world. In Turkey, the Naqshbandi Sufi order is very prominent and has influenced several key political leaders. The final goal of a Sufi is to embark on a journey to free themselves from the things of this world so they can focus on the love of God. Under the guidance of the master, a Sufi begins with the law (sharia), which includes the five pillars of Islam. The end of the journey is perfect knowledge and a “vision of God”.   HOW WE CAN PRAY 1. PRAY FOR Sufis to find the divine connection they are looking for in Jesus. (2 Peter 1:3–5) 2. AMONG TURKEY’S 80 million population, there are a few thousand Muslim-background believers. Pray that they will be able to share their faith effectively to Sufi Muslims. 3. MEDITATE ON Psalm 36:5–9 and be inspired by it to pray for Sufi Muslims and those they influence.

Comment by Andrew R. Wheeler on April 25, 2020 at 10:28am

Day 01 — APRIL 24, 2020

Introduction to movements in Islam

Have you ever read comments on social media posts from any popular Christian organization about current events and cultural change? Sometimes you could begin to wonder if the followers of Christ have anything in common!

It is no different for Muslims. A shared faith is no barrier to conflicting views on the best way to run a national economy, how to raise children, or which politicians to support. And don’t forget the endless possible arguments over which version of the sacred text is the most accurate and which religious leader has the most accurate interpretation of those sacred texts!

Within Christianity, people have developed different movements over the centuries that reflect different expressions of our faith as it relates to a variety of concerns—how to worship, how to govern, how to raise a family. Political movements, social movements, theological movements—these are all ways to collaborate with others who share our views and to encourage others to share them too.

For Christians, it is vital that we remember the words of 1 Corinthians 12:12: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” Despite our differences on many matters, it is our shared faith in Jesus Christ that makes us One Body.

In Islam there are also movements that advocate for different ways of living and worshiping as a Muslim. In this edition of 30 Days, we want to introduce you to some of those movements and explore how we can pray for the people in them.
 

HOW WE CAN PRAY

1. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Christians around the world are joining you for the next 30 days to pray for Muslims. Pray as Jesus did in John 17:20–23, that the Body of Christ may be brought to unity, so that the world will know the love of Christ.
2. PRAY THAT Christians will be a compelling example to Muslims of the influence of Jesus, and that we will be known not by our differences, but by our love as shown in John 13:35.

3. ALL MUSLIMS, regardless of their specific beliefs, understand Jesus (Isa) to be an important prophet. Pray that they will experience a revelation of Him during this time of prayer and fasting.