Sunday, September 24, 2006

Ramadan begins today

Today is the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is a month of heightened spiritual fervor and seeking after truth and virtue for many Muslims. For the past 15 years an increasing number of Christians have prayed daily for Muslims each day during the 30 days of fasting. If you would like to access this year's daily prayer guide online, click here. It is very well done!

You might also try fasting in addition to praying for Muslims. After all, Jesus said, "WHEN you fast" (Matthew 6:16), not "IF you fast." Jesus clearly assumed that his followers would indeed fast for suitable reasons and occasions. The salvation of 1.3 billion Muslims qualifies, if you ask me! Of course, if you do choose to fast, there is no legalistic standard for how you must do so. The point is not to satisfy a rigid code, but to draw near to God, and to feel in our very bodies our desperate, daily need for him. If you do not choose to fast all day, you could skip a meal on occasion, or even daily. Many Christians abstain from either breakfast or lunch daily during the month of fasting, as they pray for Muslims. Other Christians keep the whole month of fasting right along with the Muslims. If you choose to fast as well as pray in any fashion, may you find it to be a blessing. And may all the blessings of God in Jesus Christ come to the Muslims of the world -- each one of them!

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