This Sunday is the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, also called the Month of the Qur’an. It is believed that sometime during this month, on Laylatul-Qadr the Night of Power, Allah first revealed the Qur’an through an angel to Muhamad.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast and abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. This is a time of religious devotion when Muslims focus their thoughts on Allah and actively seek to live pure and holy lives, so they can grow spiritually and get closer to Allah. When they feel hungry and thirsty, it reminds them to show compassion to poorer Muslims who do not have enough to eat, and to be kind and patient towards others.
The Night of Power is believed to fall on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, so many Muslims stay up to pray during the last 10 nights. However, as Ramadan progresses, tempers can become frayed and patience tested by the lack of food and sleep. The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid-al-Fitr, the festival of the breaking of the fast, with presents for children and a feast of special dishes for everyone.
May God use our prayers, words and actions to bring them to know Jesus
It is estimated that there are 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. As Christians, we desire all peoples to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. We should pray for Muslims particularly during the month of Ramadan because this is the time of year when they are often more spiritually open and aware.
Isa al Massih, the Arabic name of Jesus, is honoured in the Qur’an. Pray for Muslims to have the opportunities to find out more about Jesus. Ask God to grant them spiritual sight so they come to know the God of the Bible and see Him for who He truly is.
Jesus says, ‘blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled,’ and ‘blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’ (Matthew 5:6,8)
Pray for Muslims that as they hunger and thirst for righteousness, they will find God to be the source of all purity and true righteousness. Unusually this year, Lent and Ramadan overlap. Even as we reflect on the death and Resurrection of Jesus, let’s pray for many Muslims to come to know the joy of sins forgiven and the certain hope of eternal life!
Sadly we live in a broken world. Globally there are over 36 million refugees. Those from Muslim-majority nations Syria and Afghanistan, plus the Rohingya people of Myanmar, make up nearly half of this total. These refugees mostly stay in neighbouring countries. Ask God to provide the food and water, healing and refuge that they so desperately need. Pray for justice and peace, and lasting solutions to their problems.
It may surprise you to learn that Indonesia is the country with the world’s largest Muslim population. God has brought many Muslims to Hong Kong too. Pray for wisdom and grace as we interact with our Muslim neighbours – whether domestic helpers, workers in shops and restaurants, friends or colleagues. May God use our prayers, words and actions to bring them to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour!
