Tim and I watched a Christian movie the other night and it really affected me. It was about miracles and forgiveness and love. After the movie was over, I kept thinking about it. I felt like the Holy Spirit was teaching me. I could not think about anything else.
When I woke up the next morning, I felt that God wanted me to pray for the Muslims in Gaza. In my flesh I did not want to pray for them. I kept picturing the death and torture of my people in Israel at the hands of these people. I have been calling them monsters.
Now don’t get me wrong – I feel that my anger was justified. But after that movie, I was sure that Jesus wanted me to pray for them. I began to pray. I prayed that many in Gaza would seek the Lord.
And then I saw this:
From westernjournal.com
More than 200 Muslim men in Gaza have converted to Christianity after reportedly seeing Jesus in their dreams, said Christian professor Michael Licona.
Licona teaches New Testament studies at Houston Christian University and has also written a number of books, including “The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus” and “Paul Meets Muhammad.”
In a recent Facebook post, Licona said he received a report from “underground Christian ministries” in the Middle East that detailed the miraculous conversions.“God is working in the midst of war!” his post began.
“Then, a big miracle happened. Last night, Jesus appeared to more than 200 of them in their dreams! They have come back to us to learn more from God’s Word and are asking how to follow Jesus,” the report said.
Licona then voiced his own stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“I side with Israel in this war; not necessarily for theological reasons but because Hamas and those backing it are pure evil,” Licona said.
“Yet, I know that not all Palestinians support Hamas. In fact, they will be punished severely if even suspected of not supporting Hamas. Let’s pray that this war can be over soon and that Israel can eradicate Hamas so that Palestinians can be free … of Hamas!”
This isn’t the first report of such dreams affecting Muslims.
About a month before the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack, Assemblies of God News reported that Muslims around the world were dreaming of Jesus and converting to Christianity at an unprecedented rate.
“I would even say it’s the normal experience,” said Dick Brogden, a missionary for the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal Christian organization. “It would be accurate to say that Muslims are responding to Jesus in levels we have never seen, not in 1,400 years!”
Brogden also noted the importance of dreams for evangelism.
“Dreams are contributing to revelation … the process of evangelism and conversion,” Brogden said.
“So many Muslims reject Islam, but know that to follow Jesus will cost them everything. Dreams of Jesus encourage them along the way and give them the comfort that Jesus will be with them — though it cost them everything to follow Him.” source
Brethren, I will continue to pray for the Muslims on Gaza Strip. This is absolutely a miracle from our Lord Jesus. Please do not misunderstand me. The anger towards Hamas is still in me, but I believe that Jesus wants me to understand His heart. He desires that none perish but come to Him for Salvation.
Always remember this Scripture:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5: 43-48).
A wonderful report! This is the very reason we are instructed to pray for our enemies. It can be the hardest thing to do. It is ok to be honest with God and tell Him how hard it is to pray for people like Hamas and Gazans etc. As we focus on His great mercies, He will cause a transformation in us helping our prayers to eventually become more heartfelt.
It helps to remember that Jesus went to the cross to take away the sins of His enemies and while on the cross asked the Father to forgive them. God takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked. He prefers to bring them to repentance and redemption if they will humbly accept the offer.
Praise the Lord for so many turning to Jesus! PTL for helping us to pray in line with His will and perfecting the love in all our hearts!
Well said, sis!
So awesome!
God is a miracle working God! I praise the Lord for these reports his heart is full of mercy and desires that none perish but that all come to salvation! Praying in agreement for Hamas to be destroyed so Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace 🙏