We have been praying over the spiritual stronghold of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is here that this year’s Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be completed by every Muslim at least once in their lifetime, took place in mid-August. Thank you for following us on social media and uniting with us in prayer for Muslims during their pilgrimage. The Lord is good, and we are witnessing a spiritual breakthrough in Saudi Arabia!

If you haven’t followed us on social media yet, discover exclusive Arab World Media content on Instagram  Facebook and Vimeo!

Nothing is impossible

Hajj is a core part of being a Muslim, and as such, it is a significant spiritual stronghold. About three million Muslims travel to Mecca every year, hoping to have their sins forgiven by performing a series of traditional rites. Saudi Arabia’s religious laws make it very difficult to share the truth of Christ.

However, God’s divine power can destroy spiritual strongholds. As the Apostle Paul writes,

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. — 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Not only is he utilising the ministry of media; he is also moving in supernatural ways, particularly through dreams and visions, to reach people in seemingly unreachable places. Mansoor* is just one example. Even though he went on Hajj, he encountered Jesus in a dream…

‘For me to live is Christ’

‘I felt a spiritual emptiness in me. Something was lacking in my life, so I began searching for the truth. One night, Jesus appeared to me in a dream. Seeing him there in my room, I felt love and security. I knew that the truth I was seeking could not be found in Islam but in Jesus.’

Mansoor is a middle-aged man and has been a Muslim all his life, yet he was immediately convinced that Christ was the only way. Our responder was concerned for his safety as in Saudi Arabia; apostasy is punishable by death. To this, Mansoor replied:

‘I adore Jesus. I will pay the price for my beloved and my Saviour. Of course, because I am in Saudi, I will keep my faith secret. I do want to be baptised, though it’s too dangerous to do it here. Can you help me?’

Mansoor shared his faith with his wife and family. Initially, his wife was interested. But she quickly changed her mind. She returned to Islam and threatened she would tell the police about his conversion if he did not give her a son. Please pray that Mansoor would remain steadfast in his new faith, that the Spirit would comfort him, and that his family and community would come to know the true, living Saviour.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. — Philippians 1:21

An unlikely believer

We explored the limited freedoms of Saudi in our previous feature. One would think that those who live in Islam’s holiest city would abide by the country’s strict religious law. But even in the city of Mecca, Jesus is calling people to follow him…

Bady* was a Hajj tour guide for 18 years, accompanying Muslims to help them complete their pilgrimages.

‘I became disillusioned with Islam. At first, I tended to atheism. I didn’t tell anyone about it. But I felt that I needed to leave Saudi. I ended up in a refugee camp in Europe, where I found a Bible. After reading it, I opened my heart. I want to know the truth.’

Bady professed his Christian faith the same day he contacted us. He requested to meet Christians for fellowship. Our team continue to be in contact with him and are coordinating local follow-up. Pray for him as he continues to read his Bible and grows in his new life in Christ. Praise God that Bady is now in a place where he can share his faith with others around him. Pray that more Arabs would receive salvation.

God is at work throughout this region. No matter how impossible a situation may seem, Jesus is calling people to himself. His divine power can break every spiritual stronghold.

Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. — Jeremiah 32:17

* Names changed for security. Images are representational.
** All Bible verses are quoted from the English Standard Version (ESV).