Intentional

Yesterday I was worshiping with a group of 20 believers in Jordan, about 10 miles from the Syrian border. Please pray that the fall of the 55-year Al Assad regime would somehow lead to more Syrian Muslims hearing the gospel.

During my recent visit to Cairo, I sat with an Egyptian friend who used to pastor an evangelical church in Gaza. He's been going to the border to provide aid to the few Palestinian refugees who have been allowed to leave Gaza. He told me a funny story about an Egyptian Muslim who lives there and helps him with the distribution. The man has been monitored by the Egyptian police in the past because of previous ties with ISIS. When the police saw his recent increase in cell phone activity and asked him how he made these connections, he said, "the Presbyterian church". Needless to say, the police were shocked!

It is challenging for me to discern why my Egyptian pastor friend and other Arab brothers I know are not sharing the gospel more intentionally with Muslims around them. Perhaps it is fear. Perhaps it is a lack of compassion for their souls. Perhaps it is a lack of passion for God's glory. Perhaps it is a lack of trust that "the gospel (really) is the power of God for salvation to those who believe" (Romans 1:16) and that the Holy Spirit will open Muslims' eyes and hearts. Perhaps it is the reality that my friend is welcomed like a hero by Palestinians when he brings aid but will often be rejected if he challenges their beliefs. I know all of these temptations too well myself. Please pray for me as I try to gracefully challenge these false comforts and identities.