You may not have noticed it yet, but this is the month when millions of people around the world have given themselves to an intensive period of prayer and fasting. On previous occasions this has seen the release of great spiritual power in many parts of the world. These people know what many of us seem to have forgotten, that prayer can be a very effective tool for bringing about change, especially when it is accompanied by some sacrifice such as fasting.

These people do not have the same faith as we do. They are Muslims, who worship Allah, as revealed by the prophet Mohammed. Some Westerners claim that Allah and the God of the Christians are essentially the same, but the Muslims reject this vehemently. Their basic creed is "Allah is one God" and they reject out of hand any suggestion of a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. While they accept Jesus as one of the Prophets of old, they absolutely reject the suggestion that he is the Son of God who died for the sins of the world.

There are many varieties of Islam, just as there are many varieties of Christianity, and we must be careful not to make sweeping generalisations, nor to judge everyone by the actions of a radical fringe. Nevertheless, the average Muslim shows a greater commitment to the practice of their faith than does the average Christian. Their willingness to wear distinctive forms of dress, to pray in public and to fast for a whole month shames the casual indiferrence of most who claim to be Christian. It is no wonder, then, that Islam is growing faster than Christianity in some parts of the world. It is no wonder that Islam can wield considerable spiritual power.

While we would not accept that Muslims are praying to the same God as we do, there are other sources of great spiritual power. In Revelation 13 we read of another spiritual being with great power and authority. This being had the whole world enthralled by his power and all the inhabitants of the earth worshipping him, except the Christians. The Bible is quite clear that there are other sources of spiritual power in the world than the God whom we worship. However, the end of such power is very different from the glory of God that we seek.

The challenge to us, when we see the level of commitment to prayer amongst the adherents of other faiths, is to look to our own performance. We, who are privileged to know the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, we who have his great and precious promises concerning prayer should be the more diligent in taking hold of them.

Even today, as I write, there is the evidence of the difference that prayer can make. The forecast of the experts only a few days ago gave little hope of any significant rain for months to come. However, God's people have been praying, and today it rained! Yes, we need much, much more. Yes, the situation out west is still desperate. But we have been given a little reminder of the fact that prayer can change things.

This does not mean that prayer is simply a tool for us to manipulate God to our own ends. That is the pagan view. Rather, prayer is the vehicle of communication whereby we enter into the presence of our loving Heavenly Father, and seek His grace and mercy. Rather than twisting God's arm, we ourselves are changed as we begin to align our thinking with His.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 there is a wonderful promise that relates to the prayers of God's people: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." While strictly speaking, this relates to the Israelites, who lived in the land of the promise, there is a wider application that we can take hold of for ourselves.

The key to experiencing God's blessing, both for ourselves personally and for the wider community around us is the willingness to humble ourselves before Him, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. The idea of humility and repentance is not a popular one today in our modern society, but it is absolutely essential if we are to know God's blessing and experience His power.

The spiritual powers at work this month may be great, but we have access to the greatest power of all. Let us give ourselves to seeking the face of Jesus and releasing His power into a world of desperate need.

John Davies

17 November 2002