Ramadan Prayer: Muslims of the East Arabian Peninsula

Long ago, wise men in Eastern Arabia noticed a beautiful star burning brightly in the night sky and set out on an adventure to see where it would lead them. At the end of their journey, they found Jesus and presented him with costly gifts – one of which was frankincense.

Frankincense tree photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons user Rod Waddington

Today frankincense trees still bloom, particularly in the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula. At the center of this region is a city that is home to 6 unreached people groups – each with their own specific language or dialect, with unique customs and traditions, divided into tribes and families. As different as each group is, they hold certain things in common – their unifying faith in Islam, their abiding love of camels, and the daily use of frankincense.

Every day after evening prayers, the city is permeated by with the sweet smell of frankincense as families heat it in burners and carry it throughout their homes. They do it to mask the smells of a hot day, to “disinfect” the house from bacteria, and to scare away any demons that may have crept into their houses from the night before. They offer this local treasure day after day as recognition of a felt need for cleansing, healing, and deliverance.

Arabian Peninsula satellite photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Wise men of Arabia once offered Jesus their treasures when the journey to meet Him in Bethlehem. Today, He is offering them the lasting healing, cleansing, and deliverance they seek.

How to Pray

  • Pray that the message of Jesus would find his way into the hearts and lives of those living in the land where frankincense grows.
  • Pray that the aroma of Christ would emanate from the lives of believers living in this region.
  • Pray for wise men and women in the Arabian Peninsula – that in their wisdom, they would seek the way of Jesus.
This post is adapted from the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World website

About Scott Gustafson

Scott Gustafson has extensive experience in ministry and business in the Middle East, having lived or worked in the region for 20 years. He is a PhD candidate at Vrije Universiteit working with the Extreme Beliefs Project. He is a guest lecturer and is also the Managing Partner of Purpose Global Strategies, an International Business and non-profit consulting firm. He advises large funding agencies as well as indigenous businesses and ministries in Sudan, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. He has an MA in Intercultural Communication from Moody Graduate School, and a BA in Nursing and Biology from Western Michigan University. Scott and his wife have 2 children and they live in Grand Rapids, MI.