I just spent a week in Istanbul, Turkey visiting as a tourist for a week. My team and I saw the beautiful Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Grand & Spice Bazaars, and so many other breathtaking sights. Honestly I could write a blog alone on the ideal city itinerary and easiest ways to navigate the city. However; that’s not exactly what I’m here to tell you about.
I’m here to explain the brokenness I felt as I watched a service of Muslim men and women worship a god that is not the true God. I’m here to try to give you a glimpse into the heart-shattering sadness I felt each day as I was woken up to a call to prayer to a false religion. I’m here to talk about the tears that fell silently from my cheeks as I sat behind a barrier that separated the men and women in a place they worshipped their god. I’m here to show you the grief I felt walking away from a jaw dropping mosque that is studied by architects all across the globe. How can something so beautiful and filled by so many people be so empty of joy and life?
I’m not here to put up a fight as to why I think Christianity is a better religion than Islam. I’m not here to argue with anyone who doesn’t believe that a man named Jesus was sent into the world so that we may have an eternal hope and future in heaven.
I’m here to share with you that there are nations right now that are devoutly answering every day to a false-hearted religion. There are millions of men and women that are walking around as dry bones, preaching a fake truth. I would encourage you today to join with me in taking time to pray over the people across the world that are unreached by the gospel and/or are clouded by an untrue religion. Join me in praying for the Christians and missionaries that have a heart to be a vessel to change these individuals’ hearts and souls.
Friends!! There is a whole valley of dry bones that the Lord wants to turn into armies for his kingdom! Can you imagine if the men and women that are so dedicated to meeting the requirements of a false god knew the truth? That would be an army I would love to see fight for the Kingdom. I am fully believing that the people in Turkey and the people following Islam have not been forgotten about. They are the dry bones that will one day see the truth of Jesus. If you don’t believe me, go read Ezekiel 37.
“The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones; I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says; Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet— a vast army.” Ezekiel 37:1-10
Get on your knees brothers and sisters! Let’s start interceding now that the truth will penetrate the hearts of every nation.
Here’s the truth plain and clear—
There once was a perfect world created by God. God is perfectly holy, righteous, and just. He created every one of us (man and woman) in his image to live in harmony with him and one another. When man was created he rebelled against God and brought sin into the world. Because of our sin we became separate from God. BUT, because God is good and wanted to have a relationship with us—he sent his one and only son, Jesus, down to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life on earth and died the death we all deserve. Three days later Jesus returned to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Because he did this, we now have access to be one with God again. We have hope for an eternal life and future with him in heaven if we believe this truth.
XOXOX,
Katherine
Love this view! Thank you for being the unique part of the body that God has called you to be! With your own eyes to see people, ears to hear truth, voice to speak life, and hands to extend love. How He is using you precious sister!
I find it weird to travel to another country and criticize their religion and their relationship with their God. Why is Christianity the only religion that is acceptable and why is it heart shattering to see people be joyous and have faith in their own religion that they love and found comfort in. That’s like Muslims traveling to America and saying Christianity is wrong and it’s so sad to see so many churches who “preach a fake truth”. It’s not their fake truth, yet it’s yours so you feel called to disrespect their livelihood when it’s not really any of any ones business to disrupt someone’s faith journey that they grew up with and cherish??
Praying for you as you continue your journey. Love your insight into this situation. Bless you !!
Katherine, I am moved by your heart for people of the world. I have recently been studying Ezekiel, so this blog hits close to where my heart has recently been pierced. Praying for you as you shine brightly around the globe. Love you!
Thanks for loving and serving so generously, Katherine. Your heart for others — whether they believe like you or not — is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing!