I have seen so many cathedrals in my lifetime. Any time my dad and I passed a cathedral, he would drag me inside. They are magnificent, filled with breathtaking stained glass and intricate details.
In this north African country, the majority of the population is Muslim, so cathedrals are not something you readily come across. While out and about the other day, we found out that we were near one, and we decided to walk to it and check it out. Upon arrival, we discovered that it was closed and under construction. There was a barrier around it, keeping people out.
We peeked through a hole in the barrier to get a better look at the cathedral, and there was a man on the other side. We greeted him and he graciously let us inside.
The exterior of the cathedral looked nothing like any cathedral I had seen before, and the interior was completely bare. It looked like this space hadn’t been used in a long time.
But the light shone beautifully through the stained glass windows, and God’s peaceful presence was so palpable. God isn’t in a grand European cathedral any more than He is in this dilapidated and empty African cathedral.
Spending time in this place served as a reminder that God is not confined to any building. As followers of Jesus, He is all around us and inside of us, at all times.
Another thought was brought to my mind— about how Christianity is not confined to our Western views. Christianity was not invented in America or Europe. Christianity began in an Eastern culture. The ancient root of our faith is Eastern. What we are doing here is not about making people more Westernized or trying to make them fit into a Western Christian mold. It’s not even about making people “Christian”— it’s simply about lifting Jesus up and introducing people to His love.
God is moving and doing something new and wonderful— in this country, and in these people’s hearts.
Christ is interceding, and He does not fail.
Prayer requests:
Pray for the church in the US and around the world to actually be the church. Pray for the church to actively walk out what they claim to believe.
Pray for a fresh anointing and outpouring of the Holy Spirit to fall upon the missionaries currently placed in Muslim nations. Pray for greater courage, wisdom, faith, and obedience.
Pray for more followers of Jesus to be sent to minister to Muslim nations and to proclaim God’s glory.
Arab Christians living in Muslim nations face a lot difficulties. They face persecution, and feelings of fear and shame. Please pray for renewed strength for Arab Christians, and for them to be bold in leading Muslims to the Lord, and continuing to disciple them.
There are so many recent accounts of Jesus appearing to Muslims in visions and dreams. Pray for the Lord to continue to reveal Himself to Muslims in this way. Pray for their spirits to be pierced and their hearts to be softened through these encounters with Jesus.
