Lots of things are worrisome in our world: the economy, political unrest, and wars everywhere (or at least, that’s how it feels). This is a stressful time for everyone, and the odds of one of these topics coming up in conversation with your Muslim friend are high.

It’s important in your conversations to not let the panic of current events get you down. Instead, keeping your heart centered on our Lord and His Word will give you peace and show your Muslim friend how your faith can truly impact your life!

To help, here are some Bible verses and ways to talk about current events with your Muslim friends in a genuine way.

Disclaimer: We usually caution against talking about politics with your Muslim friend because most Muslims cannot separate religion and politics. Sometimes they will disengage with you if you do not completely agree with them (especially on sensitive topics like the relationship between Israel and Palestine). You cannot always defer to saying you trust God to handle it without making your Muslim friend feel dismissed or like you are unwilling to dig into the topic at all because your Muslim friend will not understand what it means to trust God fully.

We wrote this blog post to help you find the balance between having constructive conversations and avoiding unnecessary tension with your Muslim friends.

Approaching current events with your Muslim friend

Avoiding uncomfortable conversations with your Muslim friend won’t always be possible. If they bring up a difficult or controversial topic, it could be because they care about it deeply. Dismissing this conversation simply because it is uncomfortable is not showing them the love of Christ! Instead, lean in and try to work through the topic.

Give them a safe space where they can voice their opinions or concerns. Listen to them, and make sure they know that you are there for them. At the same time, don’t allow yourself to be swept away in their anxiety, despair, or anger.

Be aware that your Muslim friend might be trying to push your buttons. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you discernment in this situation and pray for the Lord to soften your Muslim friend’s heart. If these conversations are doing more harm than good, consider gently redirecting the conversation to a different topic.

The hard balance

Find the root cause of your Muslim friend’s fears in order to speak Jesus’ love over them. For example, if your Muslim friend is bringing up the economy, it is most likely causing them anxiety. You can tell them how Jesus brings you peace and can do the same for them. If your Muslim friend talks about wars or civil conflicts, it is probably from a place of feeling unsafe or unstable, so share with them how God is always in control.

The right thing to do in this situation may also be the hardest thing to do, so moving forward will require a lot of wisdom and spiritual maturity. The conversation might open the door for you to share the truth with your Muslim friend, especially if they are talking about a conflict in an Islamic country or surrounding their religion. You will need to show empathy to their distress, but at the same time, you cannot affirm them if what they believe is not true.

Conversation examples

There are ways that you can use a conversation about current events to share your faith with your Muslim friend. If they ask you about your perspective on things, make sure you share your biblical worldview (not your political affiliation) with them. You can say things like:

• I understand that this topic is important. I have been praying for this issue, and though I may not understand why it is happening, I trust that God will work through it for good, and when I am anxious I talk to God about it. Philippians 4:6-7 says that when we present our requests to God, peace that surpasses all understanding will come upon us, and I have experienced that personally through Jesus Christ. Can I tell you more about Him?
• I hear what you are saying, and I can see how frustrating that must be. I usually run to the Lord and pray about my frustration so He can direct my emotions and my energy in the right direction, because He is my stronghold (Nahum 1:7). Can we pray together now for this? 

Quick Tips to remember

At the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to pull up this blog post when your Muslim friend brings up this topic of conversation. So remember this list and you’ll be good to go:

1. Pray before you speak - All it takes is a quick prayer to center your heart and allow God to speak through you.
2. Don’t be prideful - Humility speaks volumes more than a person who is a know-it-all.
3. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know” - There is nothing wrong with telling your Muslim friend that you don’t have enough information to have a well-formed opinion, but always do the research and come back to them later.
4. Be vulnerable - The best way to connect with someone is by sharing your own personal experiences (not just your opinions).
5. Listen and validate their emotions - Seek to understand where your Muslim friend is coming from, and make sure they feel validated in how they are feeling, but not in their stance. If they are anxious or upset, show them support in that area while also seeking to uncover the truth with them.
6. Ask good questions - To better understand where your Muslim friend is coming from and to help them critically think, ask questions that will force them to dig deeper. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being the ultimate source of peace in my life. Please give me the words to share this peace with my Muslim friend. I want them to know you the same way I do, Lord. Please guide our conversation to be fruitful and never divisive. Amen.