Prayer Fuel
March 28, 2023
You’ll often find in a Senegalese church a woman dancing while she leads a small band and worshipers in joyful singing. A loud keyboard, an electric guitar and a drum set pound out the rhythm of the heartily sung French worship songs. A few men sit on benches next to their wives with their arms around them.
There is nothing immoral or unbiblical about worship bands, wearing shoes in church buildings, women leading worship or men and women sitting together. But these common Western cultural practices are obstacles for Muslims exploring the claims of Jesus. When a Muslim comes to faith in Jesus, he will not invite his Muslim family or friends to a typical church. They would deride him for participating in an “unholy” and “blasphemous” event.
For Muslim-background believers to flourish, churches in Senegal need to look more like gatherings Muslims are accustomed to: shoes off at the door, sitting on mats or carpets, men and women sitting separately, both women and men dressed conservatively, with Bible reading and prayer in a local African language. None of these cultural values violate the Bible, and interested Muslims are much more comfortable in these settings. This may be a key to seeing the gospel movement we are praying for.
PRAISE
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.” (Psalm 57:9)
KINGDOM COME
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
Your ways are not our ways. Your Kingdom is unlike every earthly kingdom. We pray for your heavenly Kingdom to come in every home, neighborhood, city, and region throughout this land.
PRAY THE BOOK OF ACTS
“But he, full of the Holy Spirit gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God…” (Acts 7:56)
Father, we pray for many Stephen-like believers in Senegal—men and women of good repute, servants, full of the Spirit and of wisdom. May they be ready to do whatever you call them to at whatever cost because they are so gripped by Your glory.
PRAY THE HALL OF FAITH
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)
May both seekers and believers in Senegal be willing to start on a journey of obedience to You despite not knowing how it may turn out in this life.
PRAYER
Father, we pray for believers in Senegal to be good stewards of their relationships. Father, strengthen your people in Senegal so that they represent you well and serve as winsome ambassadors for your Kingdom of truth and light.
To learn more about disciple making movements, go to https://zume.training/relational-stewardship-list-of-100/
