Non-fiction authors have been getting more creative all the time. With fun, exciting titles, formats and language, non-fiction books practically beg kids to pick them up and learn something new. Still, authors of non-fiction must stick to the facts when it comes to the content.

Fiction authors have much more room to play. They can create entire worlds and populate them with any characters they want. They are limited only by their imagination. To stir the creative juices, authors often play the ‘What If?’ game.

Like, what if small, man-like creatures called hobbits lived in well-appointed holes in the ground? What if one of them found something that stirred up evil forces? (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring)

Or, what if God entered an alternate universe as a lion? What if kids from our world entered that world? (C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)

What if we can change the world by playing ‘What if’? For example, what if the Muslim kids at my school can get to know Jesus? I’m not allowed to evangelize at a public school, of course. But what if Jesus can? What if he can break into their dreams and speak love and salvation to their hearts? Impossible? What if Jesus is actually appearing to Muslims in dreams and visions all over the world?

On May 6^th, devout Muslims enter a time called Ramadan. They refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours every day until June 3rd. Organizations like Impact Middle East and 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World share many stories about Muslim hearts that have opened to Christ through such things as dreams and visions during Ramadan. I just read a news article the other day that spoke of a large community of Christians in a former Muslim city in Syria–growing because they were drawn to the love of Christ as a contrast to the violence done in the name of Islam by Isis.

Recently, I’ve been going without sugar so that I can (hopefully!) fit into a special dress for my daughter’s college graduation in June. It is not easy! I can only imagine what it must be like to go without food and water all day for weeks at a time. I don’t know if I could do it. It’s hard to think clearly when I have to wait for a meal, let alone several meals. Students in my school district will not only be going without meals during the school day during Ramadan, but they’ll also be taking important standardized tests during Ramadan. I can only imagine how difficult that must be for them. What if I love my neighbor by praying for them throughout the testing time?

If you and your family are interested in joining me in prayer for Muslims in our communities and around the world, 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World has a children’s prayer booklet available at https://www.30daysprayer.com/booklets-kids/. Read amazing stories of the many ways that Jesus has led Muslims to himself. Like C.S. Lewis’ lion, Aslan, Christ is on the move!

For a fictional approach, my children’s novel, Sophie’s Quest, takes an owl and a mouse on a Holy Land quest for the truth about the cross. In the process, the characters learn a little about Islam and the other world religions. What if your kids could help explain why Jesus is so special to friends? Free book club activities on my website can help your kids reach out to friends who don’t know Jesus yet in a fun, non-threatening way. It can be used as a neighborhood, school, or church outreach.

The Bible says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient and with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Praise the Lord that we don’t have to wonder what if—we know that he loves each of us enough to die for us, and he lives today! May our Muslim neighbors know it as well.