Hajj Prayer Alert

Kathleen Pirl

December 18, 19, 20, 2007!

Isaiah 44:8 “You are My witnesses, Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

Deut. 32:31 “For their rock is not as our Rock,”

Saudi king Abdullah has invited Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be the first Islamic Republic president to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca, beginning on Dec. 18. Debka files www.debka.com

Nazism held a genuine appeal for the Arab populace, who were attracted to its messages of rejection of democracy, recovery of past military glory and Jew-hating. In 1935, Reza Shah, the ruler of Persia, changed the country's name from Persia to Iran to reflect that they, like the Nazis, were Aryans. A popular Arab song during the war went, "Allah in heaven, Hitler on earth." http://www.ifapray.org/naziislamicfacism/naziislamicfascism.htmlThe Nazi Connection please read for more!

But we declare that the name Persia is the name given by God to the nation of Iran!

Following in His footsteps

At the moment that hundreds of thousands of Muslims are in Mecca, we want to pray for them. During these meetings there will be much time for worship, intercession, prophetic acts and the proclamation of God’s Word. There will also be information (visual) given about the Hajj, a summary of what is written in this brochure.

Every meeting will have its own character and theme. These themes combine with the happenings in Mecca. We’ve mentioned some prophetic acts, but if they will actually be performed is not yet sure as we want to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. They were added to assist others that will be praying in other places be it in a group or alone on what they could do. The true identity of Islam has to do with deception and lies. Therefore we want to take time to declare the Word. The Word of God is the Truth and sets free and will not return void. As crimson thread we want to proclaim during these days the Gospel of John.

Tuesday morning 18 December Behold, the Lamb of God

“Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)

At this moment the Muslims enters the spiritual area (called the Mikaat) and enters the “state of holiness” (Ihraam). We also enters a holy area as we draw near to God’s throne and therefore at the beginning of these days cleanse ourselves by the Blood of Jesus. Forgiveness helps that gaps are closed. It may be that there are something between you and others or God and then it is important to see that these gaps are closed. It may also be that we have prejudices in our heart towards Muslims that need to be removed. Let us keep looking at Jesus, our example.

This morning apart of the worship we want to proclaim John 1 and 2.

As prophetic act we want to place the cross in the middle of the prayer room. Together we can humble ourselves at the Cross and have ourselves cleansed by the Blood of the Lord Jesus. Other suggested bible passages: Psalm 24: 3,7,8; Lamentations 3: 40-42; Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 Peter 2: 21-25.

Tuesday afternoon 18 December Speak the words of God

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives not the Spirit by measure” (John 3:34). As soon as the Muslims arrive at the Large Mosque in Mecca they circle the Ka’aba seven times. It is for them exhilarating to walk with such a great throng of people. We want to go to that place to show them that Jesus is the One that spoke the Words of God.

Besides worship we want to proclaim John 3.

During our time of intercession we want to place a map of Mecca in the centre. Then we want to walk clockwise around it against the flow of the people 7 times while we sing and proclaim the love of God. While we walk we’ll drop heart shaped pieces of paper and flower petals on the map. God wants to give His Spirit and love and that is symbolized by the hearts and flower petals. We want to show also that we want to bring God’s Father heart.

Additional bible passages: John 3:16 and Colossians 2:21-3:3

Tuesday evening 18 December Sir give me this water

“The woman said to Him, Sir give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw” (John 4:15) Muslims now walk to the well Zam Zam and drink water out of the well and pour it also over their heads. Fort them this water has healing powers. From there they go to two hills to perform the Say’a; that is to run between these hills and to proclaim God’s greatness and unity. We want to pray that they will crave after the Living Water so that they will not thirst anymore and need to return to Mecca.

Tonight we want to proclaim John 4-7.

As introduction to the prayer time we want briefly share from the life of Ishmael as recorded in Genesis. A this moment many “Ishmaels” are in Mecca; pray that they will get a revelation from God. We also want to pray for ex-Muslim believers who live in Muslim nations or who are in Mecca during the Hajj.

Bible passages: Genesis 16,17 and 21:1-21

Wednesday morning 19 December Hear God’s Word

“He who is of God hears God’s word” (John 8:47a)

Today is the climax of the Hajj – to stand in the valley of Arafat. It is a day of reflecting and meditating on Allah. Muslims have to attempt to get on top of the mountain of grace that is here. While they are standing on this hill we want to pray that they will see that Golgotha is the place of grace and forgiveness. In the Bible we read of numerous encounters with God on a mountain e.g. Moses when receiving the Ten Commandments; Elijah on Carmel; the Transfiguration etc.

Worship with the proclamation of John 8 and 9. The Hebrew word for intercession is “paga”. It has many different meanings of which one is “encounter”. Intercession is to intercede for others from the place of encounter with God so that they may have an encounter with God. Muslims are standing today and longs to have the assurance that they are accepted by Allah. Let’s pray that they will have their own encounter with God and meet Him as their Father. In our encounter God wants and will show us what to pray for. Muslims are crying out today; are we?

Additional Bible passages: Romans 6, 7; Colossians 2:14

Wednesday afternoon 19 December and other sheep I have

“ And other sheep I have which are not to this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

Many Muslims walk today great distances, literally in the footsteps of Mohammed. We want to get into the footsteps of Jesus and also get on the road. Do a prayer walk with someone else around a mosque, or a Islamic school or in a street where many Muslims live or work.

Wednesday evening 19 December take away the stone!

“Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone” (John 11:38-39a)

The pilgrims arrive after a long day in Muzdalifa. Here they sleep under the open sky. As preparation to stone the devil they go searching for at least 49 stones.

During our time of worship we want to proclaim John 11, 12, 13 and 14.

In our preparation we got several ideas about what we can do with the stones as prophetic act. We can build an altar to God. What also spoke to us is the theme of tonight. The context in which Jesus spoke these words may be different, but yet there are similarities. It is not easy for Muslims to accept Jesus as their Savior and there are many stumbling blocks (stones) in their way. Our prayers in a very practical way are to remove these stones. Jesus gave us the authority to do it.

Additional bible passage: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Thursday morning 20 December it is finished

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!." And bowed His head, He gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

On the last day of the Hajj the pilgrims walk to Mina and there they use the stones to stone Satan. They think back to the sacrifice Abraham had to bring. At the same time it is a cry that then Satan in the pilgrim will be killed. We can remember that Jesus took every sin to the Cross and that the victory over it was won. God gave His own Son to destroy the works of the enemy!

This morning we’ll proclaim John 18 and 19.

With our worship we want to celebrate Communion. It reminds us of the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. At the same time the Communion is also a proclamation that Ishmael can be part of the covenant through the Blood of Jesus.

Additional Bible passages: Exodus 24: 1-11

Thursday afternoon 20 December Abide in My love

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” (John 15:9)

The end of the Hajj draws near for the pilgrims. The big feast of sacrifice starts and is celebrated all over the world. In Mina every pilgrim or together with 6 others will sacrifice a lamb. Thereafter they will shave their hair. This afternoon we want to take some time to “soak” in God’s presence and be abide in His love. We want to worship Him for being our sacrifice and taking our place.

We want to proclaim John 15, 16 en 17.

Additional bible passage: Revelation 1: 12-20

Thursday evening 20 December We have seen the Lord!

“The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord"” (John 20:25)

The pilgrims go back to the Ka’aba and end their Hajj by walking twice the Tawaaf (circling the Ka’baa). After all these days of walking surrounded by great throngs of people and having to do all the different rituals they are quite tired. This may cause their spirit to be more open. They may also be disappointed in that they have not experienced what they had expected, no satisfaction in their heart nor assurance that their sins are forgiven. Let us prepare a great feast for the King of Kings! Pray that God’s Spirit be poured out upon these pilgrims this evening. If they had an encounter with Jesus, let us pray that they will meet Christians who will be able to disciple them.

We will proclaim the last chapters of John 20 and 21.

I recommend the full brochure available at homebase.desertrose@gmail.com

COME LORD JESUS!!! IN HIS LOVE!
Kathleen Pirl