It’s 4:56 AM and I’m listening to the morning call to prayer. I should say another call to prayer, for this isn’t the first one of the new day. The muezzin’s cry from some other distant minaret already penetrated my dozy darkness some indeterminate time ago.
I’m spending the remaining few nights of my present trip at the home of Christian friends in Blantyre, Malawi’s main commercial city. But it was a similar story in Zomba, as it is the length and breadth of Malawi.
Malawi is nominally a Christian country, but Islam continues to make impressive inroads. Traditionally, there are some parts of the country where Islam predominates. However, there are literally thousands of mosques dotted across the country. In fact, I doubt if there are any of Malawi’s 28 districts without a mosque. Recent years have seen the continuing trend of spectacularly expensive structures being built.
A wake-up call
The present call to prayer rings out from the recently-opened Taqwa Mosque. I simply cannot begin to estimate what such an edifice must have cost to build. Multiple millions of dollars, for sure.
Apart from the incongruity of such extravagance in the midst of some of the world’s worst deprivation, this should come as a wake-up call to believers everywhere.
The extravagance of the newly-built mosque speaks to my conscience. Islam is on the increase in Malawi. Doubtless that is because these dear, misguided devotees, are putting their treasure where their hearts are! Where am I putting my treasure?
Let us hear the call to prayer
Personally, this morning’s call really challenged me about the prayerless of my own spiritual life. I can easily fill my time with activity – hopefully profitable activity – but again I am pulled up about the time I spend in prayer. However formal, however much in vain, our muslim friends’ devotion to prayer speaks to my soul. How much time do I spend in prayer for this needy country? This sin-benighted world? What about you?
The door of opportunity is still wide open in Malawi. Let us redouble our efforts in the spread of the Gospel. Let us hear the call to prayer!
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”” (Matthew 9:37–38)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1–4)
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much
James 5:16
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