NAPIERVILLE, IL – Ramadan is the holy month of fasting for Muslims around the globe. From Mecca to Michigan and from Medina to Malaysia, faithful Muslims observe sawm (a fast) from sunrise to sunset. In 2019, Ramadan begins on May 6 and ends on June 4.

They awake early to partake of a carefully prepared meal designed to sustain them until evening. Their fast is broken with a post-sunset meal that typically begins with dates.

During the daylight hours, they refrain from both food and drink, smoking, and sexual relations.

During the month, many Muslims believe that Heaven is more open than usual to hear prayers. The Good News, as Christ-followers know, is that Heaven is open to our prayers at all times to those who have come to God through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Muslims believe that Jesus is just a prophet. They need to realize that He is the Savior of the world and the only Way to God and, therefore, to Heaven. (See John 14:6) They need to hear that once we gain access to God through faith in Jesus Christ, there is nothing on earth or Heaven or under the heavens that can ever separate us from His love. (See Romans 8:38, 39)

Ramadan is an ideal time for Christians to pray for Muslims and to ask the Lord to send His Holy Spirit to convince them of their need for Jesus. Imagine how receptive a heart that believes that Heaven is more open might be to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

But, you say, aren’t the Muslims my enemies? Jesus Himself told us to

“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44

I don’t know any Muslims who hate me, mistreat me, or persecute me but, if I did, my obligation to obey the Lord would be to pray for them and do good. I know. I read the stories (in fact, I often write the stories) about Muslims persecuting Christians in other parts of the world.

Those stories break my heart just as they do yours. But my heart breaks for those lost in the darkness of unbelief. I must love them as God loves them. I must pray for them to come to Christ so that they will not enter eternity without Him.

Chris Ruge, the Director of Prayercast, has said that “it would take an act of God to shake the foundations of Islam.” Imagine if the Lord were to do that during the month of Ramadan.

Open Doors encouraged believers at the end of Ramadan in 2018 to

“Pray for every person who is living in the darkness of Islam, no matter where they live, what language they speak or what their occupation.

Pray that our loving Father will show Himself mighty in the days to come by the power of his love, and that He will bring many Muslims into the light of Christ.

Pray that in the coming days we might hear more miraculous stories of those who were brought to faith through dreams and visions and through the presence of Christ showing forth in the lives of His people.

Pray for them as they learn to walk out their faith in cities and villages that are hostile to this newfound faith.”

Let’s commit to making a deliberate, respectful effort to “learn about, pray for, and reach out to our world’s Muslim neighbors.” Heaven’s doors are open. Let’s lift up our prayers.

To read more news on Islam on Missions Box, go here.