Prayer Fuel

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

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) ESV

Praying with insight

Traditional Islam does not teach about having a personal relationship with God. The idea that Jesus communicated in this sermon that those who are pure in heart will see God is incomprehensible to Muslims. Pray for the hearts of Muslims to long to see God and to be curious when they hear Christians talk about their relationship with God through Jesus.

For believers

A pure heart means an undivided heart. All the dross has been exposed and removed. No corners of the soul are dedicated to idols. A Hand of Fatima on the doorknob, a red string tied around the wrist, a necklace with the eye, a Koran placed by sleeping babies, prayer beads hung on taxi mirrors—all these turn the heart from Jesus and look elsewhere for protection. A divided heart. Mighty Holy Spirit, you want an undivided heart that fears God. Please strip away all the old patterns of trying to guard loved ones. Remove idols from the souls of your children in this place. Let them have pure hearts that increasingly see God.

For the lost

The only way to a pure heart is through the blood of Jesus. Outward cleansing is highly valued in Islam, and people often speak of hearts that are “white like milk.” Before each prayer time, devout Muslims will wash their hands, faces, arms, and feet, but no amount of ceremonial washing can cleanse the soul. Jewish priests, as well, from the time of Moses, were washed in water and sprinkled with blood before entering the holy places, recognizing the need for purity. “But these could never truly purify the worshiper.” (Heb 9:10) When Christ appeared, he entered once and for all into the holy places by his own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.” “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14) ESV This is the way to purity. This is the only way to enter the most Holy Place and see God. O Jesus, thank you for your blood. May these precious people believe that you died, once and for all. It is finished.

For the church

“Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:1-3) ESV

Christians can struggle to trust God and his ways when they see wicked people seemingly prospering all around them. Pray for the church here to hold on to the truth that God rewards the pure in heart…that there is a deeper reality than the fleeting circumstances we see through worldly eyes.

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[b] of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:23-26) ESV

For areas of influence

Pray for places of education in this area. Pray for children in schools to:

• Be protected from evil, abuse, inappropriate images, and unwelcome touches.
• Have educators who are diligent in helping to guard children’s hearts from evil on the internet.
• Have a safe place to learn and for their minds to be encouraged to think critically.
• Be shielded from themes that are too much for their young hearts.

Declaration of the scripture

We declare that purity be seen in servants of God:

“…as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left…” (2 Corinthians 6:4-7) ESV

God, shape disciples in this region to make disciples who make disciples. May their lives be marked by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and your power.