No Child Is A Mistake: Praying for the Sons of Ishmael

Ellie Saul : Nov 25, 2014
Bound4Life.com

Please pray with me for Muslims to be saved and for them to realize the value of life that God has given them.

I have heard so many preachers say that Ishmael was a mistake that I believed it in my heart. I even used the name Ishmael as a derogatory term and I am certain many reading this have done so also. This idea was never really challenged and it actually served as a decent example to wait on God to bring the one He has for you or wait on God for any promise that He has made you. Then it happened... My husband heard a preacher say that God convicted his heart about calling Ishmael a mistake. God said to this man, "No child is a mistake." (Photo via the IndianRepublic.com)

Wow. That made my heart shake a little. Of course I believe that no child is a mistake. I have always passionately believed that but somewhere along the road of Ishmael-hate a little bit of this miserable belief that a child, a human being knit in his mother's womb, can be a mistake, crept into my heart. How on earth did I miss that? Especially in church, how often are we missing the point and letting subtle pro-abortion, life-taking ideals daily seep into our hearts?

Even God Himself met Hagar and assured her that He sees her where she is and that her son, Ishmael would be blessed. That does not sound at all like the evil mistake we often call Ishmael without hesitation. Regardless of the choice of Abraham and regardless of the lack of choice that Hagar had, God still created Ishmael and said that he is blessed. God supernaturally intervened when Ishmael was at his most vulnerable. The moment when Hagar hides him and waits for him to die, God provides water and resources for them to live.

The value of the life of a child in the womb is not determined by the occupation, race, or location of the parents of that child.

I met a Muslim man at a grocery store months ago. I asked him if he has ever heard of Jesus and tried to present the love of the gospel to him. He was kind and friendly. I think he was shocked enough that I would approach him, a larger man of impressive stature, that he even permitted me to pray for him. As far as I know it is not customary for a devout Muslim man to allow a woman much less a Christian stranger lay hands on his heart and pray for him. I considered this uncustomary kindness and favor a gift from God, and I was thankful, but my heart ached. He did not receive the salvation that I told him about that day.

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