Prayer for Rifqa Bary

Have you ever looked up to someone who happened to be younger than yourself? I know I have recently ... her name is Rifqa and she is in need of the prayers of the saints. Her life has been (and still is) in danger because she converted to Christianity from Islam, yet her unwavering testimony and faith is being refined through her trials. I am forwarding a message from Jamal Jivanjee, who has been fighting for the name of God among the muslim community for years:


To all concerned intercessors, 

If there is one thing that I have learned recently, it has been this; God chooses to accomplish His sovereign victory through the prayers of His people! (Thank you John Piper) It has been very encouraging to see this play out in fresh and new ways these last few months. I want to take a quick minute to humbly ask that all intercessors be mobilized to pray for the next few days regarding a few different points that I will illustrate here. I am convinced that the Lord is on the move, and His kingdom is greatly advancing! Prayer is needed now, more than ever. 

Prayer for Rifqa Bary 

In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul illustrates that our real struggle is not against people, rather spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Scripture is also very clear that there are strongholds, or places on this earth that are greatly affected by demonic entities that are assigned to geographic areas. The Old Testament book of Daniel gives us insight into this biblical reality, and I have discovered this reality to be true regarding places that I have traveled to as well. 

As you know, there was a huge legal battle by Rifqa’s oppressors and family to have the case moved from Florida to Ohio. I am convinced that the real reason for this is entirely spiritual. Spiritually speaking, the spiritual differences between Ohio and some parts of Florida are like night and day. Simply put, the spiritual climate in Ohio is much more conducive to Rifqa’s oppressors than was Florida. As a result of this, Rifqa really needs our prayers for peace, strength, encouragement, protection, and physical health while this court battle plays out. Since her time back in Ohio, these areas of her life have come under increased attack by our spiritual enemy. I can tell you that the Lord has used the prayers of the saints to keep her going. She needs your prayers now more than ever! Your prayers are God’s chosen instruments of His victory in this situation! In addition to praying for Rifqa personally, here are some other points of prayer that urgently need intercession: 

1. Pray for public disclosure 

When this ordeal with Rifqa Bary began to unfold several months ago, I sensed the Lord giving me this scripture for Rifqa: “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.” (Luke 8:16) 

Rifqa Bary is someone who has been ‘lit’ so to speak by the Lord. While she has lived a secret Christian life for the last several years, God is now bringing her and her life’s story out into public light so that her testimony and life may sine brightly before men and glorify her Father in heaven. It goes without saying that satan would love to put a ‘container’ back over her life to keep a sleeping American church from being affected by her life, and also so that she can be sent back to danger without anyone being aware of it. Since she has been back in Ohio, that is exactly what the enemy has been trying to do! 

Apparently, there have already been a number of undisclosed hearings that the media was not allowed to be present during. This is a clear departure from the proceedings in Florida which were very transparent. The media in Ohio has been very quiet regarding Rifqa’s situation, as has been the church in Ohio. On human terms, this lack of public accountability puts Rifqa in greater risk, but it also prevents people from hearing her all important testimony. We need to pray for a greater public awareness! Please pray that the rally for Rifqa Bary on Monday, Nov. 16’th, would be used by the Lord to accomplish this task. 

2. Pray that what is hidden would be brought to light. 

The very next verse in Luke 8:17 is the other scripture that I sensed the Lord giving me for Rifqa’s situation as well. Because of this lamp that is being put out on a lampstand, It says this: “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” 

Rifqa’s case is shedding light nationally on the evil ideology of Islam & sharia law that has been subjugating Muslims to bondage and fear for over a thousand years now. Because the Lord loves Muslim people, I believe that He is uncovering the depths of bondage and fear contained in Islam for the church to be aware of. The church needs to be aware of this because it is the Muslim people’s time to be set free by the truth! Many western Christians have been woefully ignorant of this demonic ideology, and its methods of enslavement. I am praying that will soon change. 

Rifqa’s case is also part of a broader narrative occurring across our nation today in which we are seeing a wave of Islamic violence and influence begin to be unleashed in greater and unprecedented ways at the highest levels of our government, down to honor killings and brutal shootings at Fort Hood in Texas. The Lord is using the testimony of Rifqa, and others like her, to bring to light the darkness that has been hidden for far too long. Shedding light on this darkness is one of the goals of the rally for Rifqa on Monday. Please pray for this to occur then, and after that as well. Keep in mind that not all of those attending the rally on Monday will be Christians, but I am praying that many intercessors will be there to pray and publicly stand for the truth. Ultimately, I believe that it is the church’s genuine love for Muslims that will give us the boldness to speak out regarding the evils of Islam. 

If you’re in the Columbus area, and you are able to make it out to the rally on Monday from 11am to 2pm, we’d love to see you there. For more specific information regarding the rally’s location and other details, please visit www.rifqabary.com 

Thank you so much for praying. Your prayers are needed now more than ever! Ultimately I am praying, and I strongly believe, that Rifqa’s life and testimony will eventually be the spark that sets a sleeping church a flame for His glory! Will you join many others in focused intercession for the next couple of days for this end? 

For this awakening, 

Jamal Jivanjee 
www.illuminate-us.com 

To learn more about Rifqa and her situation, you can visit www.rifqabary.com