“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who do not seek me.” It is No coincidence that I read Isaiah 65:1 in my devotions this morning! For days I have searched for a verse to lead you in prayer during the 2010 Ramadhan and as the weekly All About Food article in today’s local newspaper shares, “Today marks the beginning of Ramadhan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar…a month when Muslims fast...a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God…(bring) one closer to God.”(1) Which to me says: Ramadhan is a time when many Muslims are extra zealous in asking and seeking God to make Himself to known to them, even though they are only seeking, as the article shares, “to re-evaluate their lives, in accordance with Islamic teaching.”
Did you know Muslims routinely pray multiple times each day! A North Carolina Baptist Men volunteer group were very aware of this last week! Four men and four teens (three with dads, plus one friend) arrived on an evening flight and when we met them for breakfast, one man said, “When I finally fell asleep, I was awoken by loud prayers outside my window!” Later, we showed him the large mosque beside their guest house which calls local Muslims to prayer at dawn (before 5:30) and again at sunrise (6:30). The volunteers left mid-morning for western Kenya to assist in building four homes for those in need and planting two churches – so they missed the mosque loudspeakers broadcasting prayers again at noon, afternoon, sunset, as well as the night prayers around eight!(2)
Isaiah 65:1 also says that God revealed Himself to a “nation that did not call on my name.” This is one reason Kenyan Christians must be their Savior’s ambassadors. Many Kenyan residents are from countries where our Father’s Good News cannot be freely shared – another reason many of us are committed to the new Parklands Baptist church plant on Mombasa Road(3) – an area where many residents are from nations that do not call on His name.
So, I ask that you join me in “joining” Muslims in prayer (see footnote 2) during Ramadan guided by these words from IMB CompassionNet(4): “This is a very spiritual time… as they try to draw closer to Allah and to attain forgiveness for sins… a time of heightened spirituality. Please pray that throughout this month, there will be many opportunities to share the story of the Son. Pray that the Father will reveal Himself to Muslims as they seek to draw closer to Allah. May the month of Ramadan be a time full of dreams and visions from the Father… please pray for Believers, asking that they will remain strong throughout this month.”
Our God promises that “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24) – one of the many of His assurances that we can claim and trust and PRAY for others! When we seek Him, we will find Him and He will respond! Last week, He answered prayers for peace during and after Kenyans voted on a new Constitution. The Kenyan friend leading our church in prayer last Sunday said , “We have peace in Kenya today not because of unity, good security or our leaders, but because of God! Thank you for being a part of God’s work in Kenya and in our world through your prayers, BERT
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(1) Ramadhan: A time for fasting, then feasting (Daily Nation, LIVING, 8/11/10, p.8) - http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/Living/Ramadhan%20A%20time%20for%20%20fasting%20then%20feasting%20%20/-/1218/974236/-/affub2z/-/index.html
(2)To know when daily Islamic Prayers are in your part of the world – one way to “join” them in prayer – go to: http://www.islamicity.com/prayertimes/
(3) Camera went to church last Sunday to catch pictures of the new adult Sunday School classes, but an incredible story of God's provision for His faithful children unfolded resulting in a new Photo Album: “This is Your House, Your Home” – http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=263318&id=685050129&l=873712bdb0
(4) IMB/CompassionNet - http://www.imb.org/main/pray/
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