• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Global Office of 30 Days of Prayer Movement for the Muslim World - 24 April - 22 May, 2020

  • Order a Prayer Guide
    • Order Online →
    • 30 Days Global Directory
  • Learn
    • Basics of Islam
    • About Ramadan
    • How To Share
    • True Stories
    • Country Profiles
  • About
    • About 30 Days of Prayer
    • Recommended Reading
    • Downloads & Helpful Resources
    • Grace & Truth Affirmation
    • How to Donate
    • Volunteer
    • What Others Say about 30 Days
    • Sites We Like
  • Contact us
  • Donate
  •  

Pray for France

30 Days of Prayer 2017 ·25 June 2017

25 June 2017 / Day 30

France: Praying for those who persecute you.

In recent years, France has been the victim of several bloody terrorist attacks, inspired by Islamic extremism. Some of these attacks have been clearly focused, such as the killing of the artists at the magazine, ‘Charlie Hebdo’, or the clients of a Kosher supermarket and a rock concert – and of course the shocking assassination of an elderly Catholic priest. Others have been indiscriminate, costing the lives of Muslims as well as Christians. Pavement cafés have been sprayed with bullets and innocent people run over by a truck.

It would be a lie to say that this has not created a deep sense of shock and revulsion. At first, there was a national outpouring of solidarity and unity, even a sense of sympathy towards non-extremist Muslims living in France. However, as attacks continued, there are signs that the remarkable tolerance of the French people is wearing thin. That is, of course, just what the terrorists were hoping to achieve.

Image by Shaherald Chia @ Flickr / Creative Commons

Christian leaders in France remind us: “For Christians, living alongside Muslim neighbours and fellow-citizens, we must go back to the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:44: ‘Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you will become children of your Father in heaven.’”

The challenge is to meet hate with love. To look at every veiled women or North African man that we cross in the street, with love in our hearts and not rejection. If we are confused, we must understand that non-violent Muslims are even more confused. Love means trying to understand them, and praying that God would touch their hearts. In France, we live with over 4.5 million Muslims. God has placed them on our door-step.

How to Pray

  • Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” Pray for Christians in France, and in all nations affected by extremism, that they will be able to follow the teaching of Christ to love our enemies.
  • Pray for Muslims who are involved in, or thinking about becoming involved in, terrorist activity. Jesus says love and prayer go together – that is the purpose of this guide.
  • Pray for the victims of violence and for the wisdom of government leaders. The purpose of terrorism is hate and division. More than ever, we need leaders who will lead with wisdom.

Originally posted on 25 June 2017
Filed Under: 30 Days of Prayer 2017

Previous Post: « The Komering of Indonesia
Next Post: Keeping Muslim Families in Mind »

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Pray for France | Eslkevin's Blogsays:
    31 October 2020 at 12:09 am

    […] Pray for France • 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Updates from 30 Days

Sign up to get updates from 30 Days

We respect your privacy. 30 Days will never sell or share your information and will only use your email to alert you to upcoming prayer events and resources.

Footer

Search the Site

30 Days on Social

30 Days of Prayer on Facebook30 Days of Prayer on Instagram30 Days of Prayer on Twitter

Get a Prayer Guide

  • Buy the PDF
  • Read Online (2020)
  • Find a Prayer Guide in 40+ languages

Learn about Muslims

  • Why we Pray
  • All about Ramadan
  • Basics of Islam
  • How to Share with Muslims
  • Stories of God at Work

Get Involved

  • Donate to 30 Days
  • Good Books
  • Work with us
  • Our History
  • Ask a Question
  • Copyright © 1993-2021 · 30 Days of Prayer International · Staff · Design & Hosting by ZindaMedia