The Final Clash: Two Houses....of Prayer

It’s not a “clash of civilizations” that will ultimately lead to the final battle of mankind, nor is it “Jihad vs. McWorld.” The final battle will not be based on culture, ie. “the West vs. the Rest” nor will it be fueled by globalization of the economic system. The final battle will ultimately be spiritual.

This past week I was listening to a session on the life of David by Mike Bickle, and he said something that really stayed in my mind. The last battle will be between two houses of prayer. The house of prayer that relies on the name of Jesus Christ, and the house of prayer set up by Mohammed in Mecca. There are over 1.3 billion Muslims today and that number is increasing rapidly due to high population growth in Muslim areas and Islamic evangelism efforts. Jerusalem itself is surrounded by those who pray to the God of Mohammed. Even people in the west are converting. Why you might ask? Because people know there is one God who created the universe. He has set eternity in the hearts of men. They long to have a relationship with God. They long to be holy. The rituals and rules of Islam give people a false sense of holiness and security before the throne of God. As opposed to the gospel of Jesus, which declares us as completely unworthy and depraved in our sinfulness – desperately in need of a Savior, the message of Mohammed gives people a chance to “earn” their way to heaven by committing more good deeds than bad deeds. People desire to be thought of as “good” people. They desire to think that their goodness will be rewarded. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good – except God.” Mark 10:17-18

People like faith to be a formula. They like to think that if they do all the right things, they’ll be with God. This gives them control over their own destinies. But we cannot control our own destinies. God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. God will have compassion on whom He will have compassion. God writes the names of those whom he has chosen in the book of life. God is the agent. He takes the action. These words from Misty Edwards sum it up:
“I can’t even love You lest you call my name,
I can’t even worship lest You anoint my heart God,
I can’t even want You, lest You want me first….come fan the flame.
Do what only You can do, come fan the flame.”

The truth is, we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Praying facing a certain city five times a day does nothing except create this false sense of holiness, security and religiosity. The apostle John said that false Christs and false prophets would appear. Those that deny the tenets of the gospel. “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3

Muslims don’t deny Jesus’ coming, they deny his deity, his death and his resurrection. They deny that he is the Christ, the Savior of all mankind. They can deny that He is the Christ because in Islam there is no concept of original sin, and therefore there is no need for an atoning sacrifice.

It is through Jesus’ death and resurrection that we have direct access to the throne of God in intercession and in worship. It is through this new covenant, sealed by Jesus’ blood on the cross, that the “veil has been torn in two.” What once kept us far from God, our sin, has been atoned for so that we can see Him face to face. Therefore, through the blood of Christ, we can approach the throne of grace with great confidence. “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do WHATEVER you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You many ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.” John 15:12-14

Every Muslim I talk to asks me, “how do you pray?” They seem unsatisfied that there’s not a formula to it, and they seem to miss the point that prayer is entering into the heart of God, but they are nevertheless intrigued. I had one student, formerly a Muslim and now agnostic, asking to come with me to church just to observe how we pray. If he comes (and pray that he will!) he will learn one thing, there is power in the name of Jesus. Through Jesus we have access to hearing God’s voice.

God’s house WILL be a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7). The final battle will be fought by intercessors, crying out day and night for Him to come and reign (Isaiah 62: 6-7, Luke 18:1-6). May God show his power through our prayers, just as he did in the days of Elijah. May we remain in him, and him in us, so that we are moving with a spirit of prayer and of revelation. May our prayers shake the nations. May our prayers loose angels and bind demons. May we be so in tune with the spirit that our prayers will call down fire from heaven to show that He is the Lord of all the earth. That He is the One who is to be glorified. Oh God, your name and your glory are being threatened throughout the entire Muslim world. We ask that you would arise, that you would not stand for it any longer! Show the power of the name of the Jesus Christ. Show the power of the resurrection. Lord, God you said in your word that you “always lead us in triumphal procession in Christ and spread everywhere the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corin 2:14-15

God of the harvest, send forth laborers for the harvest in the Muslim world. Send forth those who are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge of the glory of God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Glorify your Son. Glorify your name.

Now, Lord, consider the threats of the house of prayer that is Islam, and “enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:28-30

And as you shook the place where those first few believers prayed, shake the nations where your watchmen are praying now. Shake the dry land and the sea. Shake the heavens and all that is below. Show the world that you are God and bring those that you have called to yourself here in this dark and barren land. Oh Lord we are so desperate for you to come and move in power. Five times a day as they ask to follow the straight path, show them the name of your Son. May light break forth in the darkness.