Fruitful Practices for Muslim ministry — Priority of Prayer, Courageous Witness
As we enter this Advent season, we may wonder what lies ahead. This has been a crazy year, but God is still on the throne and this year, like every other, we should enter the Advent season with anticipation and a new opportunity to see the coming of Christ with the wonder and grandeur that it deserves. May you still seek to find ways to talk about this amazing event with your Muslim neighbors, colleagues, and friends—Immanuel, God with us!
This month, we conclude the 8 Fruitful Practices review by looking at Priority of Prayer and Courageous Witness.
This month, we conclude the 8 Fruitful Practices review by looking at Priority of Prayer and Courageous Witness.
Priority of Prayer
Courageous Witness
We are all about sharing the gospel, right? So, why do we need to have our last fruitful practice be Courageous Witness? First of all, most of the “easy” places on our planet have already been reached with the gospel, and the places that remain can present challenges (to put it mildly). We have to be willing to go to places where we are not welcomed with open arms, but where people still need to hear the gospel presented in a way that they can understand.
Secondly, Satan is the master of deception and a champion at discouragement. He will find ways to deceive us and keep us from sharing boldly for Christ wherever we are located. Fear of being rejected and ridiculed creeps in, and then we risk not following that prompting of the Holy Spirit to pray or share with someone. Even though we and our message of hope, grace, and mercy might be rejected time and again, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us find the strength to press on. We are not in this work for accolades or favorable ratings, we are seeking to share the gospel—the Good News that Jesus died for sinners to redeem them from the curse of sin and shame. Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Thirdly, we model our faith for the next generation. If we are fearful, then the next generation of believers will probably be fearful, as they will learn from us. Let us live and lead with boldness and courage, sustained by the same Lord who spoke to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Secondly, Satan is the master of deception and a champion at discouragement. He will find ways to deceive us and keep us from sharing boldly for Christ wherever we are located. Fear of being rejected and ridiculed creeps in, and then we risk not following that prompting of the Holy Spirit to pray or share with someone. Even though we and our message of hope, grace, and mercy might be rejected time and again, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us find the strength to press on. We are not in this work for accolades or favorable ratings, we are seeking to share the gospel—the Good News that Jesus died for sinners to redeem them from the curse of sin and shame. Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Thirdly, we model our faith for the next generation. If we are fearful, then the next generation of believers will probably be fearful, as they will learn from us. Let us live and lead with boldness and courage, sustained by the same Lord who spoke to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Prayers for the Muslim world
In an unreached area of Russia, two Muslim people groups live side-by-side, neither one with a significant gospel witness. But God is on the move in that place! Even during COVID, people have come to know the Lord, and several new believers are preparing for baptism. Come join our team as we join with the Spirit through evangelizing and discipling.
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Additional Posts

Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?




