Probably no Muslim country is now without national believers. Even in places where Christians face terrible persecution or repression, the church is growing. In Iran there are thought to be tens of thousands of converts from Islam who have come to Christ in the last few years.
In Iraq also, there is a great hunger for the Word of God, and the Scriptures are in huge demand. In spite of the economic blockade, Bibles have been granted import permits, and a quarter of a million New Testaments have been printed locally. In Southern Sudan, the church is growing rapidly despite severe hardship and persecution.
Conversions are often spectacular. There are a growing number of accounts of Muslims having dreams or visions of Christ.
Many North Africans have contacted a radio ministry after a dream in which Jesus appeared and said ‘I am the Way’. In one African country, a Muslim man who took a booklet from a Christian worker gasped when he saw the picture on the cover, saying he had seen the man in a dream the night before. He had dreamt he was in a deep pit; when a rope was thrown down and two strong hands pulled him up. When he had climbed out he looked into the face of his rescuer: Jesus. After the meaning of his dream was explained he became a Christian.
In another African country, a man was beaten up by his Muslim tribe because he had become a Christian. As he lay close to death, he asked God to forgive his attackers, unaware that they were listening in the next room. That night, two Islamic leaders who had participated in the beating had visions. One said that Jesus had shown him his three greatest and most private sins. The next day the two repented and led 80 followers to a church.
Many have credited these events to the growing number of people praying for the Muslim world.
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