RAMADAN
Window International Network
Emergency Prayer Alert
 
Muslims throughout the world will celebrate Ramadan from 11 August through 9 September 2010. They will fast during daylight hours in an effort to break bad habits and seek forgiveness of sins.
 
Ramada, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims the world over with dawn to dusk fasting. This provides them with an opportunity to practice one of the "obligations" (also known as the "five pillars") of their religion—soum or fasting.
 
Muslims fast during Ramadan because they believe this is the time of year in which the founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, received "recitations" from the angel Gabriel. These were later compiled to form the Qur'an.
 
The most important night of Ramadan—and of the entire year—is called Laylatul Qadr (September 5, 2010). Also known as the "night of power," it is described in the Qur'an as being "better than a thousand months" (97:3). "Any action done on this night," writes one Islamic scholar, "such as reciting the Qur'an, remembering Allah, etc. is better than acting for one thousand months, which do not contain the night of Qadr."
 
During Ramadan, especially on the night of power, Muslims "ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds." Many are desperately and genuinely seeking to be cleansed from their transgressions and find favor with God.
 
Since 1992, Christians all over the world have been setting aside the thirty days of Ramadan to pray specifically for Muslims. For intercessors, this month-long celebration is a chance to see precious souls set free from the bondage of Islam and introduced to the Savior of all mankind: Jesus Christ.
 
PRAY FOR:

• The Lord to give Muslims everywhere a hunger to know Him. Pray for them to become dissatisfied with the rituals and obligations of Islam and long to have relationship with the true and living God. (The Bible, Jeremiah 29:13)

• The time of fasting and focusing on spiritual issues to become a window of opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak to Muslims, revealing the salvation available only in Jesus Christ. (The Bible, Ephesians 1:17,18)
• Laylatul Qadr (the night of power) to be a night in which the Lord arises and works mightily to show forth His glory and set free those held captive by Islam. Pray for Muslims to have dreams and visions of the risen Savior. (The Bible, Isaiah 42:6,7)
• Godly sorrow and the need to be forgiven from sin to lead Muslims to repentance and salvation in Christ. (The Bible, II Corinthians 7:10)
• The veil to be removed from the eyes of those who are in bondage to Islam. Ask the Lord to enable them to see the light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ.
  (The Bible, II Corinthians 4:4)
• A great and unprecedented harvest of souls of Muslims worldwide.
  (The Bible, John 4:35)
• The Kingdom of God to come to North Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia—all of the 10/40 Window—in power and great glory.
  (The Bible, I Corinthians 4:20)

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