An Iranian Christian has given her insights into the meaning of Ramadan for Muslims and has shared three prayer topics for Christians to think about throughout the Islamic holy month.
Writing for the Evangelical Alliance, Bahar Shahabi, told of her experiences of Ramadan while growing up in Ramadan.
In her experience, Muslims generally try harder to do good during Ramadan. This can take many forms, like going to the mosque more, helping their neighbours, or giving more to charity.
However, Shahabi also noticed that after a month of attempting to be on their best behaviour, people inevitably return to “normal patterns of sin and dysfunction”. The emphasis is on doing good outwardly, nonetheless there isn’t any work of the Holy Spirit that transforms an individual’s heart.
Secondly, Shahabi said that Ramadan is a time for belonging. The feeling of being a part of a community of religion is a really powerful one, nonetheless it’s also contingent on following all of the foundations.
Again, the emphasis is on outward behaviour, somewhat than being accepted by grace.
Finally, Shahabi spoke of the will for Muslims to return closer to God during Ramadan. This is most keenly felt during one particular night throughout the month, the “Night of Power”, which is supposed to mark the day on which the Quran was revealed to Muhammad.
According to legend, Muhammad, said that whoever prays throughout the “Night of Power” could have their sins forgiven, hence many Muslims spend the night in prayer.
Shahabi said of this, “Despite this fervour, Muslims don’t experience a two-way relationship with God. The craved closeness never manifests. I know that is true in my life and my husband’s, and now we have ministered amongst so many fellow Iranians with the identical experience.
“But after I got here to Christ, I encountered a living, speaking God who knows me and needs to be known by me. This is utterly astonishing, especially to those of us from a Muslim background.”
Shahabi, shared three prayer topics for Christians to petition God with to assist Muslims meet Jesus during this Ramadan:
1. This Ramadan, pray your Muslim friend’s real desire to be good can be satisfied through encountering the everlasting, perfect, and heart-transforming goodness of Christ.
2. Your Muslim friend has a real desire to belong, as do all people. Pray this Ramadan that they might discover the safety of belonging to God’s family, adopted by grace.
3. Your Muslim friend wants a reference to the Divine. This Ramadan, especially on and across the Night of Power, pray they are going to encounter Christ and start a wealthy lifetime of walking closely with God.
