How Christians Can Pray for Muslims During Ramadan

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Many of us have Muslim friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers we hope to see trust in Jesus. We know they consider Jesus a prophet, but we long to see them believe in Him as their Lord and Savior. As Ramadan approaches, we are provided with a fresh opportunity to pray for them and hopefully engage with them in spiritual conversation.

What is Ramadan?

On Sunday, May 5, 2019, billions of Muslims around the world will begin observing Ramadan.  It is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered the holiest month of the year for Muslims. Ramadan is one of the 5 Pillars of the Islamic faith, which requires all Muslims who are physically able to fast each day of the month, from sunrise to sunset.

This time of fasting from food, drink, and other physical needs are intended to purify the soul, practice self-restraint, and refocus one’s devotion to their god, Allah. This is also a time when many Muslims increase their almsgiving to the poor, which is another of the 5 Pillars of their faith.

The evenings are spent enjoying time with family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Quran. The observance of Ramadan concludes, according to the western calendar, on the evening of Sunday, June 4th.

How Can We Pray During Ramadan?

Father, we pray that as they set their hearts to worship their god Allah, that You might make them to “know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Help them see that Jesus is Your eternal Son through whom they can have eternal life.

Father, we pray that as their bodies hunger and their tongues thirst, that You would show them Jesus who promised “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35). Help them see the insufficiency of their works and lead them to hunger and thirst for the righteousness that only Jesus can give.

Father, we pray that as they practice self-restraint that You would show them Jesus who, before He was crucified for sinners, denied Himself and “prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will’” (Matthew 26:39). Help them believe that He truly died on the cross and drank fully from the cup of Your wrath.

Father, we pray that as they give alms to the poor that You would show them Jesus who “though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Help them see and treasure the eternal glory of Your Son Jesus.

Father, we pray that as they gather together to feast in the evening, that You would show them Jesus who invites sinners of all sorts to abandon their false gods and by faith join “those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 16:9). Show them the resurrected and ascended King of Glory who desires them to draw near to Him in faith.

Father, we pray that you would give Your church love for Muslims across the world. Make us like Jesus who “felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34). Guard us against self-righteousness that would lead us to have hard hearts toward those who do not know You.

Father, we pray that you would give Your church opportunity and courage to proclaim the Gospel to Muslims throughout the world. Lift our eyes to Jesus who promised to empower us when He said, “I am with you always even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Let us not fear any consequence of faithfully taking the Gospel to those who desperately need Your grace.

 

May this season of Ramadan be marked by the faithful intercession of God’s people who long to see many Muslims come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, the Son of God.

If you’d like ideas for daily prayer during Ramadan, you may want to consider this resource.

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16 thoughts on “How Christians Can Pray for Muslims During Ramadan

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  5. Amanda

    My heart is over joyed to learn that the Lord has spoken to others about the way in which we should pray for our muslim brothers and sisters as He has directed me. The Holy Spirit placed these same details in my heart before I read them here. We can move “mountains” when we pray. May God’s will be done through His church and may His church be filled with a holy people, obedient and sensitive to the urging of the Holy Spirit.

    Reply
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  7. Jennifer Wymer

    Maybe there are many paths up the mountain? We are all one. It is ignorant to think that all others should be on your path when they are very clearly on their own path back home. Not only are they on their own paths, but most people throughout the world feel a sacred connection to the source of life through their own religion. No converting is needed. Perhaps it is your own fear that needs to be brought into the light of your own path. If God is all loving and all forgiving – then even if their paths were \’wrong\’ (which I do not believe) – it does not matter. For when they go from this life, they will be welcomed into the open heart of an all loving and all forgiving, laughing God. We have been too serious. So serious, in fact, that humans have killed other humans on account of who\’s path to God is \’right\’. There is no \’right\’ way to God. All ways are good and right and personal. God works in mysterious ways. Open your mind to the possibilities. Trust in something greater than yourself and your perceptions. No one will be left behind. Not even those that do not believe or care or love. We are one. In love.

    Reply
    1. garrettk Post author

      Thank you for your comment. I would certainly rather have this conversation face to face, but since that isn’t possible, I will simply say here that I respect, yet deeply disagree with your suggestion. God is loving and forgiving, but not at the cost of being good. Because God is good, He will judge evil. If He does not judge evil than He is not good and not loving. All roads do lead to God, but Jesus said that He is the only one that will allow one to arrive and stand forgiven. Why? Because God’s goodness requires a payment for our sins. The good news is that He provides the payment by shedding His blood in the place of sinful people like you and me. To try to approach God on our terms rather than His is arrogant and will be met with righteous judgment. I encourage you to open your mind as well to a God who is bigger than our small views. A God who forgives because He feels like it is not a big God, but a cowardly compromising God. A God who forgives because He provides justice first is a God who is worthy of worship. Thanks for your time.

      Reply
      1. Bill F

        I see a lesson in the tension between your two views. One, relies on a \\\”faith courage\\\” in God to create a saving relationship with people in a manner they may or may not recognize. The other, relies on human language and accepted emotional constructs – loving, forgiving, good, evil, payment, righteous judgment, justice, and so on.

        One, enters into relationship with God singularly and lets God have total control to develop a singular relationship with the rest of humanity, each one unique and blest.

        The other, relies on group acceptance and confirmation to embolden and empower the continuing path to salvation.

        One, recognizes a direct connection with God while the other promotes God\\\’s embrace of humanity through the human understanding of God and human affirmation.

        Both praise their Creator, while perhaps only one would be ready to accuse with the word \\\”blasphemy\\\” on their lips.

        For me, the pondering is instructive.

        Reply
    2. Waleed

      Thank you for beautifully saying what needs to be said quite repeatedly in order for people to realize what it really means, rather than just thinking or coming up with arguments and justifications to shoot down the aforementioned idea just to promote their own beliefs.

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  8. Bill F

    I see a lesson in the tension between your two views. One, relies on a ”faith courage” in God to create a saving relationship with people in a manner they may or may not recognize. The other, relies on human language and accepted emotional constructs – loving, forgiving, good, evil, payment, righteous judgment, justice, and so on.

    One, enters into relationship with God singularly and lets God have total control to develop a singular relationship with the rest of humanity, each one unique and blest.

    The other, relies on group acceptance and confirmation to embolden and empower the continuing path to salvation.

    One, recognizes a direct connection with God while the other promotes God’s embrace of humanity through the human understanding of God and human affirmation.

    Both praise their Creator, while perhaps only one would be ready to accuse with the word ”blasphemy” on their lips.

    For me, the pondering is instructive.

    Reply
  9. johanna

    Thank you so much for putting the prayer for the muslims it shows our compassion that Jesus has given us for all people. i was driving in the car and the next minute the Holy spirit convicted me to pray for all the different cultures here in Woodridge and to except them for our God is bigger than all the raciests and stronger through our continued love and prayer for them. they need Jesus in their live too He is our Rock our Stronghold our everything why should they too not feel this love that only comes through believing in Jesus (Yahshua) He never changed because of their skin or where they live Jesus healed everyone.Johanna
    thank you Father God for bringing us the good news on Vision Radio Station to be your arms and legs reaching out to this broken world.amen

    Reply
  10. Roger

    All religions besides Christianity believe all roads lead to God by man\’s efforts, credits, points, and score, with all such followers hoping for a good result entering into paradise, while Christians have received a gift from God that guarantees a good result and entering into paradise. All other religions leave their followers in doubt about their standing before their Creator, but those in Christ are in perfect standing with Father God by virtue of Jesus\’ shed blood on the cross for all and everyone\’s sin. To accept this free gift is to enter into this standing and assurance and this bears much fruit with joy.

    Reply
  11. dennis manunga

    I pray to God that as all the Muslim fast in this month of Ramadan may God bless them and answer all there prayers

    Reply
  12. Emma

    Hello
    Thank you for the information.
    I note the finish date for Ramadam given above is Monday 4th June 2019. I believe it is Tuesday 4th June.

    Reply

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