I just heard the news that a mosque in Elizabeth, NJ is organizing a prayer day in Washington, D.C. on September 25. They  expect 50,000 Muslim faithful from around the world to assemble on Capitol Hill to pray "that people get along better, and move forward with more humanity toward each other." (See news article at Charisma News Online)

I paused from reading the article as a bunch of scriptures rushed to mind: 

    • Acts 17:26-27: "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined     the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps     reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."

    • Jeremiah 29:13-14: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,"     declares the LORD,"

    • John 18:37: "Jesus answered . . . 'For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.'"

    • The story of Cornelius who devoutly prayed to God but did not yet know Jesus (Acts 10).

I also thought of the many stories I've heard of Muslims to whom Jesus has appeared in visions. Is this an opportunity, Lord? How do You want me to pray? I asked.

With these thoughts and questions in mind, I continued reading the article. I discovered that some Christians see the Muslim prayer day as a threat. As spiritual warfare. As a public relations effort for an Islamic agenda.

I suppose they could be right. I certainly don't know the hearts of the people who will attend this event. Fasting and spiritual warfare prayer may very well be in order. However, I also think there's another way to look at it. Souls--50,000 of them--will be seeking salvation from God. That's what their own press releases are saying: salvation! Couldn't there be among them some who are open-minded seekers of Truth?

So here is my prayer for this event: That as this great multitude of souls cry out for help to someone bigger than they are, that many will encounter the True and Living God. That the Holy Spirit will open truly hungry hearts and minds to Truth and salvation that comes through Isa, that is Jesus, who loves them and died not just for us, but also for them.

I hope you'll be praying about this day, too. Whether it's warfare prayer or prayer for the salvation of souls, will you pray that God will use this event for great good? What are your thoughts?