The fear of Islam and of Muslims is growing among Christians in Britain. Love on its Knees seeks to reduce this fear and to increase Christians' love for Muslim people.

The Lord Jesus calls us to love our neighbours. Love on its Knees is a call to the church to put this command into practice by committing to pray for and bless our Muslim neighbours.

‘There is no fear in love’1 John 4:18

Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting, when many Muslims seek God through fasting and prayer. Every year, stories emerge of how Jesus answers these prayers by revealing Himself to Muslims in dreams and visions.

For Christians living in the Muslim world, however, Ramadan can be a very difficult time, when they face increased opposition from the Muslim community.

Ramadan22 August ─ 20 September 2009

• Pray that many Muslim people would encounter Jesus and come to faith in Him during Ramadan

• Ask God to use Christian radio and satellite TV programmes to help Muslims to find the freedom that only Christ can bring

• Pray for Christians living in Muslim countries. Ask God to give them boldness to share their faith with their Muslim neighbours.

Please pray

There are about 2.4 million Muslims living in Britain today. As this number grows, so does the fear many British people have about Muslim culture.

Cultural misunderstandings and the isolation of many Muslim communities mean that many British Christians do not know how to make friends with Muslims. Education is needed to address fear and create platforms where positive relationships can be built – in schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.

Islam in Britain

• Pray against the fear that many British people have of Islam and Muslim culture

• Pray that Christians would build genuine friendships with Muslim people and demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways

• Pray that ongoing dialogue between Christian and Muslim leaders in this nation will be fruitful.

Source: 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Please pray

In 2008 a crackdown on house churches saw more than 50 Christians arrested, interrogated and beaten. Following the controversial re-election of President Ahmadinejad, Christians fear a new wave of repression.

But despite opposition, the church is growing. It isestimated that there are now more than 100,000 believers from a Muslim background. Many Iranian Christians see the recent crisis as an opportunity to share the gospel with a new generation that is tiredof the forcing of the Islamic religion on people.

Iran

• Ask God to comfort new believers who have been driven from their families and communities because of their faith

• Pray that those who are in prison for their faith would be given strength to stand firm in Christ

• Praise God that the government has stepped back from approving a mandatory death sentence (for men) for apostasy. Pray that the authorities will allow greater freedom for religious minorities.

Please pray

The church in Egypt has been in existence since the first century, yet evangelical churches in particular face constant pressure from the government. Many Christians face discriminationin education and employment.

Muslim-background believers often come under great pressure from their families and communities to return to Islam. Some face violence and death threats.

Egypt

• Pray for the church as it supports those becoming Christians from a Muslim background

• Ask God to give wisdom to those involved in producing and broadcasting Christian satellite TV programmes and Arabic websites

• In 2008 the Supreme Court upheld an appeal allowing a Christian to change the religion on their ID card from Muslim to Christian. Pray that this would be the first of many such rulings.

Please pray

Our Lord and heavenly Father, as we pray for ourselves, we pray also for our Muslim friends and fellow-citizens, that they may at this time truly come to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

We ask that they may come not only to know you, but to worship you, to be so filled with your Holy and Life-Giving Spirit that they may be awakened in their inward being and so gain those spiritual riches that you desire both for them and for us.

All of this we ask in the name of, and for the sake of, Jesus Christ, your Eternal Word, who creates and redeems and sends the Spirit of God among us. Amen.

by Bishop Michael Nazir-AliA prayer for Muslim people