Published by Mark Morris on 23 Jul 2014 at 01:49 am
Ramadan Prayers
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. Ps 108:3 ESV
In the midst of Ramadan, and the approach of the “Night of Power” I’m reminded that Muslims view this night as the most powerful night of the year. Adherents believe that Allah will reveal himself in special ways on this night. This night represents the first revelation to their prophet.
During these last two weeks Muslims have been praying and fasting for special merit to be earned through their sacrifices of self-denial. They believe that certain angels are only visible to humans on the night of power. Perhaps, they think, a special need will be met by these angels.
My heart is saddened in two regards.
First, no human work or sacrifice of merit will suffice to cover the sins of man. False hope, meaningless sacrifices, and misappropriated devotion will be found empty.
Second, the substitutionary, redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross will be blatantly ignored tomorrow by millions of Muslims who feign appreciation of Jesus, the prophet, while discounting the divine nature, work, message and divine nature of the Living Lord.
How I long for Turks, Kurds, Zaza, Pushtun, Hazara, Tajik, Arabs, Berbers, and the Muslim peoples throughout the earth to hear and believe and worship the one true God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Pray . . .
- for followers of Christ in the Muslim world to appropriately communicate the message of the Messiah during the remaining days of Ramadan.
- for new followers of Jesus to remain faithful and strong during their first Ramadan as followers of Jesus Christ.
- for God’s glory among the multitude of ethne who will gather at the throne of grace worshiping the one true God.