This year on May 2nd, believers around the nation will gather to pray as one united body for our political leaders, our schools, our first responders, and our nation as a whole. The National Day of Prayer was first instituted by President Harry S. Truman in 1952, originally celebrated on July 4th. President Ronald Reagan moved it to the first Thursday in May.

What does prayer mean for Muslims

Think about your Muslim friend’s prayer life. They are required to pray five times a day on their knees while facing Mecca and reciting parts of the Quran in proper Arabic to gain Allah’s favor. They even have to go through ceremonial cleansing beforehand in order for their prayers to count.

For Muslims, prayer is not a part of a personal relationship with Allah, but rather a mandated task to check off so Allah would be pleased. It is a formal process for them, one of many rituals they must do to gain Allah’s forgiveness and avoid his wrath (Learn more about it here).

The incorrect understanding of a “prayer life”

Often we hear people talk about maintaining a healthy “prayer life” in the same way we should have healthy social or private lives. The term “prayer life” is a rather new concept. When Jesus sat down with His disciples and when Paul wrote letters to the churches, they were not concerned with outlining “5 ways to improve your prayer life.”

That’s because we are not called to have a prayer life. We are called to live a life of prayer, continuously in communion with God, reaching out to Him, and listening to Him.

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

In our modern culture, everything seems to be separated from each other. We have our work life, our social lives, our personal lives, and our spiritual lives. But as humans, these things cannot be separated from each other. Our spiritual life affects everything else in our lives, because we are spiritual beings!

What does a life of prayer look like?

We know that God does not require us to recite certain verses or follow a set schedule, but sit and think for a moment. What does my relationship with God truly look like? How often do I turn my heart towards God and talk to Him, praise Him, or ask Him for wisdom?

Do I only pray when I sit down to eat a meal with other believers? Do I avoid praying when my coworkers are around? Do I remember to pray on special occasions only, such as the National Day of Prayer or a funeral service?

Do not be afraid to be honest with yourself about your prayer habits. We have a gracious and loving God, and if you feel like you have strayed away from conversing with Him, take heart. The Spirit of God is within you right now, wanting to talk to you. The Father’s arms are wide open with grace, and He is ready to help you make this a priority in your spiritual walk.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

Whether it is a federal holiday or just another Thursday, prayer should be an integral part of our day. As Christians, we have open access to God at all times– His Holy Spirit lives inside us! Prayer does not have to be long, formal, with drawn-out sentences. It can be as simple as, “Dear Heavenly Father. I just woke up. Thank you for today, please guide me, I am listening,” and then more check-ins and conversations with Him throughout our day.

Let’s remember that an important part of our prayer is also listening to the Lord. Keep your spiritual ears open to hear Him speaking into your heart and life. When you make decisions, are you asking Him for help? Are you listening for His nudging when you meet someone new?

Sharing Jesus with Muslim friend through prayer

How can you use prayer to introduce your Muslim friend to God’s love? There are three main ways you can do this!

1. Praying with and in front of your Muslim friend

When you meet your friend for coffee or for a meal, pray before you eat! This is a simple way to show that your relationship with God is personal. Ask if you can pray over them or for them when you do this, and ask if they are comfortable with you praying out loud.

2. Praying for your Muslim friend

Sometimes, we ask our friends if there is anything we can be praying for, but when the time comes to pray for them we forget all about it! When you ask your Muslim friend for any prayer requests, put a reminder of it in your phone that will pop up every day or make a sticky note on your desk to remind you. After a week or two, ask them how that specific situation is progressing and if there is anything new that you can add to your prayers. This will show them that your love and care for them is genuine, and if your prayers are answered, you can praise God for that!

3. Talk to them about prayers being answered

Have you recently had a prayer answered by God? Tell your Muslim friend about it! Show them that you serve a God who is living and He listens to you. Remember, they do not know what this is like because they are used to praying as a religious performance to a god who may not listen. 

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16