Prayer Fuel

Pray as the Lord leads you as you read today’s verse

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32) ESV

Praying with insight

Divorce, though taboo, is also common in the Muslim world. Women especially face significant hardship and social shame following a divorce. As we pray through Matthew 5:31-32, let’s reflect on why Jesus condemned the casual approach to divorce in His time. Pray that people in this region will come to know the safety, protection, and fullness that come through a lifelong commitment of love and trust in marriage.

For believers

“Did you hear about Samia and Mahmoud?!” This sister’s eyes widen with true sorrow at the recent news of a believing couple’s separation, which would very likely end in divorce. Though Mahmoud had walked with Jesus a long time and hheld a stable job, his struggle with drug addiction remained unbroken. “We just aren’t able to do marriage here … we have so many problems and we just don’t know how to communicate with each other.” Selfishness and poor communication is a HUMAN problem, transcending cultures – not just relegated to the Arab world. Yet many of the Islamic cultural practices deeply impact even these dear ones, who have been made ‘new creations.’ Marital strife and divorce rates are high, and the local church often suffers in tandem with their Islamic family members and neighbors.

For the lost

“I can’t UN-hear what she said,” Thawraya half spat, and half wept out the words. How could she do this? “We treated her like a daughter; we gave her the upstairs apartment. We’ve given her everything she’s needed! Sure, my son yells, but SHE yells, too!” By now, the tears were flowing fully and mixing with the sweat pouring down from under her tightly wrapped head covering. She was angry and ashamed. How could her daughter-in-law be so selfish? She could never forgive her, she could never UN-hear the cruel words. “Why can’t girls just patiently endure these days?” She mused as she recalled all the heroic women of her childhood who’d been beaten senseless by their husbands but stuck it out like ‘good women should.’
Another woman escaped her urban husband’s violent beatings, arriving at her rural home with her three children in tow, chunks of hair missing from where it had been ripped out the night before. “What did you come running here for? If he puts bread on your table, what more can you expect?” Her mother scoffed at her bruised frame standing in the doorway, remembering how she herself had been a bride by age 13….

For the church

Pray for both the current and future church in this region to be a place where marriage between believers is honored, protected, and supported. Pray for marriages between believing and unbelieving spouses to persevere in love, grace, humility, and the fruit of the Spirit. May their unbelieving spouses be drawn to Christ through their upright lives. Pray for believers to read, believe, and follow the Bible’s teachings on marriage, and may it supersede culture. Pray that marriages in the church would be pictures of Christ’s relationship to his Church for the unbelieving world that is watching.

For areas of influence

Pray for places of government.

Pray for leaders to write and enforce laws that protect women from divorce and give them rights that will protect them from abusers.
Pray for Christians who fear losing their children if they are divorced by Muslim spouses to be strengthened in their faith and not deny Christ.
Pray for lawmakers to value marriage, seek to uphold it whenever possible, and protect the rights of victims.

Declaration of the scripture

“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.’ ” (Mark 10:6-9) ESV Jesus, we declare this truth over Christian marriages in this area. We also declare this truth over families that will gather around God’s word to discover, share, and obey it. As you draw Muslim families to yourself, Jesus, may the example of your church and the teachings of your Word confirm the power and truth of the Good News. May it result in families turning to Christ together and inviting other families to also follow you.