“Please remove my name from your mailing list.” This note arrived after I mailed the September 1st Prayer Update. I fear that the sender resented my requests for prayers for those celebrating Ramadhan. I hope that I’m wrong, but as I’ve read current US news, I have questioned sending this special prayer to coincide with the end of Ramadhan 2010 – which is today or tomorrow, depending on when the new moon appears in different parts of the world.
Then I read Acts 10 in my devotions - like Peter, I must boldly claim that “God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (v.34). I must share my heart with you today because many of my friends celebrate Ramadhan – friends committed to knowing the true God, but fear, confusion, misinformation and even tradition prevents them from recognizing or accepting the truth. I must also share this special prayer update because I have friends whose Ramadhan prayers for a clearer and closer relationship with God were answered. These friends “have received the Holy Spirit just as we have” (v.47) and they need their brothers and sisters in Christ to join them in praying for their families and acquaintances who are still seeking the truths of God.
This year, God has led me to focus on the similarities that I share with those celebrating Ramadhan, rather than our differences. Last week, a friend asked on Facebook why eating and sharing food is such an important part of Southern Baptist life! I had just read of the “Fellowship of the Believers” in Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) and was tempted to respond: “It’s in the Bible!” Food is also an important part of Ramadhan. Recent articles in local papers and on the internet have chided those preparing elaborate meals to break their daily Ramadhan fasts, rather than focusing on fellowship with others who share their desire to know and serve their god. As I read this, I thought of the past “jealousies” which surfaced as we enjoyed covered dish dinners at Baptist churches – definitely a similarity!
I also read recently of a Ramadhan children’s tradition which has similarities to Trick-or-Treating and Christmas caroling known as Garangao (1) or as the “Allah Ramezuni” ceremony (2). Some of you will be sympathetic to comments made about today’s celebration of Garangao: “…like many aspects of culture and tradition, it has changed with time. In the past it was perfectly safe for small children to walk … from house to house … at night … today, with the danger of cars and strangers … children are escorted by older siblings and cousins … the tradition… has not been left untouched by the modern world of commercialization and materialism. Today, you can find supermarkets and gift shops … selling ready-made Garangaou party bags with Barbie, Hannah Montana and Harry Potter themes”(1). If you are one whose prayers can be strengthened by a picture, you must view the little girl pictured on this website in her new Garangaou clothes!
Another colorful tradition celebrated in Egypt during Ramadhan focuses on “light” (3) – another similarity as the word “light” is often used in our Bible to illustrate God’s truths. A Ramadhan light hangs on our porch which we purchased years ago for its beauty, not knowing its history – I can now enjoy it for its beauty and as a prayer reminder! I have also added one link for those of you who enjoy pictures – an incredible array of pictures that can guide and strengthen your prayers AND challenge you to being more committed to serving and knowing our God can be found on a website of pictures shared by the BOSTON GLOBE (4).
As I completed writing the last paragraph, I realized one more reason to share prayer items: RELIEF – what I feel knowing that many of you are now joining me in praying that at the close of Ramadhan 2010 many of my and your friends may be like Peter’s listeners and come to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ! BERT YATES
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(1) Garangao/Ramadan Children’s Festival – http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=412&pID=1702
(2) Ramadan and Iran – http://shahrzaad.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/ramadan-and-iran/
(3) Ramadan Lanterns - http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/ramadanlanterns.htm
(4) News Stories in Photographs/Ramadan 2010 – http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/ramadan_2010.html
(You may recognize that Ramadhan/Ramadan and Garangao/Garangaou are used! This is often the result of the influence of spellings in other languages.)
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