One night in Albania, the seven of us plus our hosts walked into the crisp Tirana air, guitars in hand. It was six in the evening, but night had fallen several hours before and the sky was as dark as if it were midnight. We wove in and out of cars speeding toward us, through construction sites and over unfinished sidewalks.
We were told that our plan for ministry was to have a night of prayer and worship in front of the local mosque. Hesitant, but eager for an opportunity to use my musical gifting, I walked on through the city carefully taking in my surroundings. Albania is a predominantly Muslim country and I had never been a part of a religious culture so vastly different from my own before.
Finally, after a few minutes, our group stopped. We had not arrived at a mosque like I had anticipated. There were no ornate buildings or sky scraping minarets singing out daily calls to prayer that identified this space as Muslim ground.
What we saw instead was a muddy pit, flanked on all sides by construction fences, with the Albanian parliament building shimmering brightly in the background. Confused, we looked at our host for an explanation.
“What you’re looking at,” our host explained, “is the construction site for the biggest mosque in the Balkan region.” He went on to explain that thirty-million euro had been donated to build this mosque. It’s four minarets would be the new highest point in all of the capital of Tirana.
The creation of this mosque would change the culture of the capital completely. A city that was just beginning to be open to the gospel since the fall of communism would be thrown into further darkness and confusion.
Our host continued. “We’ve been meeting here every Tuesday evening for years now to pray… Basically this mosque was scheduled to be completed three years ago and they’re just now breaking ground. We would like you to join us in praying that this mosque never gets built.”
And so, on streets once ruled by communism, where we would have quickly been arrested for doing so, we split up and prayed.
We prayed that the name of Jesus would reign higher than any Muslim minaret. We prayed pleas to God that he would shine His light and His goodness on the people of Tirana. We prayed that gods would fall and for chains to be broken.
Slowly, acutely aware that I was exposed in the middle of a city, I placed my calloused fingers on the strings of the guitar I had brought with me. The guards outside of parliament gave me inquisitive looks as I plucked out a few tentative notes.
Finally, gaining more confidence, I began to sing:
“Our great Redeemer
Glorious Savior
Your name is higher than the rising sun
Light of the morning
You shine forever
Your name is higher than the rising sun, oh
Your name is higher than the rising sun”.
A smile broke out across my face. Not only was this song one of my favorites, it was incredibly fitting to the moment at hand.
Jesus’ name is higher than any dazzling mosque. His name is higher than the tallest minaret that tries so hard to scrape the depths of heaven but fails every time. Jesus reigns higher than any false god, any false hope, and any false teaching.
Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Most High God who does not yield His glory to another. His word tells us:
“Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” -Exodus 15:11
“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?” -Psalm 113:3-6
That night at the construction site, I prayed a bold prayer. I thanked God in advance that this mosque would never be built. I thanked Him that He would make His name known in Tirana above all else.
I believe God will honor this prayer and I’m confident that God will not allow His glory to be outshone. I prayed for something that will never happen.
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When was the last time you stood in awe of the King who reigns on High? When was the last time you rested in His sovereignty, trusting that He is higher than your problems and capable of handling them? When was the last time you smiled because you remembered that this Most High God loves you immeasurably more than you could ever dream?
Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King. Jesus will be praised above all else.
