a blessed ramadan •middleeastnews.org.uk/assets/files/ramadan 2020.pdf · 2020. 10. 17. ·...

Before we partake in this prayer journey, I want to wish you

• A Blessed Ramadan •May God answer all your prayers and give you joy in life

Thank you for PrayingRamadan Kareem (Ramadan is Generous and good)Allah Akram (but God is more generous and good).This is the traditional greeting and response during Ramadan. In writing a prayer guide for Ramadan, I wanted tomake it personal. My hope is that this is a way in whichwe can connect with Muslims seeing similarities anddifferences. An important purpose of Ramadan is to draw close toGod. Muslims are seeking God during this time! Theyare looking for His mercy and forgiveness by fastingfrom food and water while the sun is out for 30 days. This year is unique! There will be no large gatheringsof families, nor going from house to house for iftar(breaking the fast at sunset), and no gathering atmosques. Instead there will be more time forcontemplation, more time for du'a (like our prayer, notthe ritual five times a day prayer). Do you see howunique this year is?

Let our prayers be big and bold and full of faith! Godcan bring revival to the Muslim world! Jesus said, “Whoever seeks will find, whoever knocksthe door will be open” (Luke 11:10). Let us pray thatnow is the time when Muslims will seek and find thegood, loving Father and His Son Jesus who has paidthe cost for ALL to be set free! It is for FREEDOM thatChrist has set us free (Gal 5:1)! The idea for this guide is to either print it out or to addyour prayers to your personal journal. There isrepetition built into the guide, so pay attention to thedays at the top of the pages. One thing that can be learned from arab culture ispersistence. Remember the story of the persistentwidow from Luke 18? Persistence pays off! Finally, as you get started remember that God is ableto do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine(Eph 3:20-21)!

“Fasting starts with making a du’a, or prayer, for intendingto fast, which is called the niyyat. This prayer serves as anotice to God that you intend with your heart and soul tofast during Ramadan for His pleasure. This can be said atsahoor, breakfast before fasting, each day. “Oh Allah, I intend to fast today in accordance with yourlaws and for your benefit. Please accept my fast, forgivemy faults, and bring me closer to you.”

Muslim faith says...

People are asking God, from their hearts, to be closer toHim and to forgive them. Let us pray the same prayer,knowing that we have forgiveness as a promise because wehave trusted in the blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:9 says that ifwe confess our sins, He will forgive us. Let us pray for the muslims who are praying this prayertoday to truly come close and know the One who loved themso much that He chose to die for them so that they couldhave forgiveness of sins, who took their shame away so thatthey could have life and life to the full (John 10:10).

Our faith says...

Psalm 19:14 1 John 1:9 John 10:10 Matthew 6:16-18"When" you fast

The Biblesays...

Sample My Prayer Today

This has Bible verse

to look up with space

for you to add others

that may come to

mind as you reflect

on the prayer focus

for the day.

this is a prayer that typically is prayed

during Ramadan. Typically multiple

prayers are prayed in one day, but we are

going to look at a few one at a time.

perhaps notice what sounds like

something you would agree with and

what you do not agree with. Imagine the

heart of a person who is praying this.

What would you like to tell them if you

could?

HEre is a shortresponse from our

faith perspective. Hopefully This

can guide you into writing a

prayer. But listen to the HOly

SPirit as HE directs Your Prayer.

this can get a bit confusing. This is where you will find the date. Because there is reptition there

are pages that will give space just for writing your Prayers. When you repeat, you can come back

to the previous prayer that you wrote, reflect, and then continue on with your new prayer.

This is space to write out your

prayer for the day. Please try

this out if it is a new concept to

you. It is worth the practice.

Because we will repeat,

writing out your prayer

allows you to come back and

see what you said and perhaps

give an opportunity to see how

your heart may have grown. It

might be interesting to think

that sometimes you are

praying for just one person

and sometimes for the almost

2 Billion Muslim people all

over the world.

Day 1 - Prayer for the first 10 days of RamadanMy Prayer Today

"Muslims scholars agree that Ramadan is such a holymonth that any sort of prayer, whether it is a personal onefrom your heart or one from the Qur’an, will surely bereceived by Allah and the rewards for those prayers will benumerous. But the Prophet Muhammad did recommendMuslims to recite certain du’as at particular times duringRamadan. The following prayer provides extra benefits. ”Oh my Lord and Sustainer please forgive me and bemerciful to me. You are the best amongst those who showmercy."


Each of the three sets of 10 days starts with a unique prayerthat names God as "Sustainer" and "merciful". We agreethat those are words to describe God. What does it mean touse these words to describe God? How do you know thatGod is "Sustainer and Merciful". Let us pray that Muslims will find God to be merciful to themat this time by drawing them to himself. Remember it is Godwho calls people to Himself. It is His work to buld Hiskingdom just as it was His work to build the temple usingZerubbable. He uses many in the work of His Kingdom.

Our faith says...

Romans 8:28-38 John 6:44-46 Zechariah 4:6

The Biblesays...

Day 2 - Setting an Intention to FastMy Prayer Today

“Fasting starts with making a du’a, or prayer, for intendingto fast, which is called the niyyat. This prayer serves as anotice to God that you intend with your heart and soul tofast during Ramadan for His pleasure. This can be said atsahoor, breakfast before fasting, each day. “Oh Allah, I intend to fast today in accordance with yourlaws and for your benefit. Please accept my fast, forgivemy faults, and bring me closer to you.”


People are asking God, from their hearts, to be closer toHim and to forgive them. Let us pray the same prayer,knowing that we have forgiveness as a promise because wehave trusted in the blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:9 says that ifwe confess our sins, He will forgive us. Let us pray for the muslims who are praying this prayertoday to truly come close and know the One who loved themso much that He chose to die for them so that they couldhave forgiveness of sins, who took their shame away so thatthey could have life and life to the full (John 10:10).

Our faith says...

Psalm 19:14 1 John 1:9 John 10:10 Matthew 6:16-18"When" you fast

The Biblesays...

Believers that come from Muslim Background

often feel lonely as they are no longer part of

this community practice that is a bit like

missing out on Christmas. Please Pray for thier

hearts to be at peace.

Day 12 & 22 - Review and Add OnMy Prayer TodayMy Prayer Today

This page is usedon the days listedabove. Take timeto review yourprevious prayer(s)and the informationon the previousday and onceagain write a prayer to God. Perhaps reflect onwhat is differentand what is similarin your thinkingand heart as youread the Muslimprayer and yourprayer again.

Review & Write

Day 3 - Breaking the FastMy Prayer Today

Breaking of the fast, iftar, happens at sunset. Witheveryone sitting at the table, before drinking and eating,and after waiting to hear the imam from the mosque ringout the adan and the prayer for the end of fasting, peoplerecite this verse from the quran together. “Oh Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I putmy trust in You] and I break my fast with your sustenance.”


Fasting in this way does a lot to your body and mind. Youare totally weak, deeply dehydrated. The dehydration isactually much worse than not having food. Easily this fastcan be turned from one of focusing on and living in thestrength of God, giving Him thanks for each task that wasdone, humility, to pushing through and relying on one's ownstrength, pride. Let us humble ourselves and ask for the power of God to bemade known in our lives and in the lives of our Muslimfriends who are seeking humility before God at this time.That when Jesus calls to them, that they would answer Himand that He would tell them the “unsearchable things, thatthey did not know”.

Our faith says...

Psalm 121:1 Romans 8:37 2 Chronicles 7:14 Jeremiah 33:3 Psalm 91

The Biblesays...



Review & Write

Day 4 - Forgiveness a Constant ThemeMy Prayer Today

“Ramadan is a time when Muslims are told through theQur’an and in hadiths that God will absolve them of theirsins if they engage in sincere worship and repentance. Thefollowing prayer is a good one to recite during Ramadan toask for Allah’s forgiveness: Oh Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes allthings, that You forgive me.”


Muslims are seeking forgiveness. We know forgiveness isfound in Christ alone. He is the mercy of God. May ourMuslim cousins know true forgiveness, the deep peace ofliving as righteous before our Holy God not based on works,but based on grace which is a gift from God, Jesus ourSacrifice. He is the physical representation of the mercy ofGod. Jesus alone can make us clean and give us honor. Let us ask today that we would know this truth and believe itdeep in our hearts, that the joy of the Lord would bereleased in us to celebrate our forgiveness and eternal life inChrist. Let us ask that others would know this joy and peacethat passes understanding and that Muslims would havevisions of the Holy One of God and that they would have ahunger and thirst to seek truth in Jesus.

Our faith says...

Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 3:23 Romans 8:1 1 Peter 1:18-20 Isaiah 43:25

The Biblesays...



Review & Write

Day 5 - Communal PrayersMy Prayer Today

"A special type of prayer exclusive to the month ofRamadan are taraweeh prayers, which are special prayerssaid at night after breaking fast with physical movementsakin to daily prayers. In taraweeh prayers, a hafiz, or onewho has memorized the Qur’an, recites one chapter of theQur’an each night while followers stand behind and prayalong. Over the course of Ramadan, the Qur’an is recitedin its entirety, one chapter at a time.


Ramadan is all about gathering together, this year this isgoing to be missing. We have all experienced what it is tobe separated from our spiritual community, but we alsoknow the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us.In fact He has given us the Spirit as a seal and connection. Muslims also believe that God is always with us and is closeto us. In our faith, God desires intimacy with us. He wantsus to know Him and to know us. He calls us friend. May the missing of being together during Ramdan, moveMuslims to desire greater intimacy with God which is foundthrough Jesus. May they feel their separation and choose toknock on doors, literally or figuratively, to find the key, Jesusthe Messiah. Pray against distractions for Mulsims and usthat we all might desire connection with God above all else.

Our faith says...

Ephesians 4:4-6 Colossians 3:12-17 John 15:15 John 17:20-26 Hebrews 10:19-25 Hebrews 12:1-2

The Biblesays...



Review & Write

Day 6 - Daily PrayersMy Prayer Today

"Zikr, or prayers recited over and over again in theremembrance of God. Subhan’allah, an expression used by Muslims to expressstrong feelings of joy or relief and recalls how everythingMuslims have is thanks to Allah."


This is one of the things that is heard all year round butespecially at Ramdan an under the breathe phrasesrepeated to give hasanat (good credit) to the speaker. This phrase praises our Creator. Let's praise our triune God.Look at or think about the created world and the massivecreativity we see in it. Remember that the same Creatormade you. He loves you and He asks that we love Him withall of our being, to love ourselves, and to love others in thesame way. This concept is also present in Islam. Continuing to pray for our Muslim cousins, ask that theywould know their value and worth, their true identity thatcomes from Christ Jesus. Everything that has been madewaits in eager expectation of the return of Christ, may theytoo join in our hopeful wait for the return of our King of King,Lord or Lords, Our God and King - Jesus.

Our faith says...

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 Psalm 19 Psalm 96 Job 38-39 Amos 5:8-9 Matthew 14:13-21

The Biblesays...



Review & Write


Zikr, or prayers recited over and over again in theremembrance of God. Alhamdulillah, or "Praise be to God!" (It is a Qur'anicexclamation with a similar meaning as hallelujah.)


We praise God for everything! We can learn even more fromour Muslim cousins what it is to praise God for everythingwith our voices all the day long. The good, the bad, and theall the provisions that we see. Let us join together with our Muslim counsins in praisingGod’s name! Can you pray a prayer of hallelujah! God’sname is great, remember how much He has done, partingthe Red Sea, speaking through the prophets, giving usJesus! Then he gave us the name of Jesus!!! The name thatis above all names. The most powerful name! Our Muslim cousins do not have this name...yet. Let us askthat they too would come to know the power of the name ofJesus to break chains, to set captives free to releaseprisoners….fill in your favorite use of Jesus name here andask that this would be true for our Muslim cousins as well.

Our faith says...

Psalm 103 Psalm 34 Philippians 2:5-11 Isaiah 25:1 Isaiah 61:1-4 Act 16:25

The Biblesays...

Day 17 - Review and Add OnMy Prayer Today


Review & Write

Day 27 - Prayers on the Night of PowerMy Prayer Today

“Any prayers recited on “The Night of Power,” receive themost reward. The night is commemorated as when theProphet Muhammad received the first revelation of theQur’an. Mosques try to complete the recitation of the Qur’an on thisnight. Muslims often spend the entire night in prayer,reciting surahs (verses) from the Qur’an and all sorts ofprayers and requests. The importance of prayer anddevotion on this night is unimaginable.


Our night of power is December 25th, the day that we commemorate when “the Wordbecame flesh”. We have another morning of power, when Jesus was raised from thedead! Both of these events were entirely the work of God; His character, His love,and His faithfulness. Because Jesus lives we live! Now we live each day in Power!What Muslims are seeking on this special day, we have freely each day. Let us pray that as people are calling out to know Him that they would find Him. Thatthey would have conviction of sin and shame and powerlessness and choose to findthe true path to Jesus. Many Muslims have heard words from faithful followers ofJesus over many years, several have from their youth known that something wasmissing in their faith practice. Today, may they remember those words and feelingsand not reject them, but pursue them. Let us surround these people in prayers offaith, that our God is able to save. May He be made known on the earth!

Our faith says...

Psalm 16:11 Psalm 46:10 Psalm 30 John 13 Isaiah 60:1-3

The Biblesays...


Zikr, or prayers recited over and over again in theremembrance of God. Astaghfirullah, which means "I seek forgiveness from God."


"God forgive me." A whisper that is repeated throughout theday for a good Muslim because they fear unaccounted forsin that might disrupt the delicate balance of good and bad. We need forgiveness throughout our days too. Let us askthat these prayers of our Muslim cousins would beanswered. That they would find forgiveness in the sameplace that we have found ours, in Jesus. Freely we have we been forgiven and freely may we giveforgiveness. Is there anyone today that you need to forgive?Take a few moments to ask God this question. Forgiveness is an interpersonal concept that does not existin the same way in the Arab world. Let us pray that peopleonce forgiven by the blood of Jesus would learn how toforgive people who have hurt or offended them, so thatSatan may not have a foothold in their life and that churchcommunities may form and grow in love.

Our faith says...

1 John 1:9 Luke 24:46-47 Acts 4:11-12 Matthew 10:8/Matthew 18:21-35 Matthew 6:14-15

The Biblesays...



Review & Write


Zikr, or prayers recited over and over again in theremembrance of God. Allahu Akbar, or "God is the Greatest."


God is great! We agree!!! There is no one like our God! He is the greatest!What does that mean to you today? As you write out yourprayer and express the meaning of this to God, what doesthis mean to you that He is great? As we pray for our Musllim cousins today, remember God isthe Greatest! He can do more than we can ask or imagine. Let us ask God to reveal Himself to many people during thistime. He has called each of us by name and we are His.There are many more names that He is calling right now.Let us ask that individuals would have courage to respondto that call and pursue the truth or hope for internal peace. Let us also pray that Muslim seekers will find the Word ofGod online through advertisements or search engines asthey search for truth.

Our faith says...

Isaiah 43 Ephesians 4:20-21 Job 42:1-6 Luke 10:9-13 Jeremiah 10:6-7 1 Samuel 2:2

The Biblesays...



Review & Write

"This prayer, which is from the Qur’an, was recommendedby the Prophet Muhammad to be recited as much aspossible during the second 10 days of Ramadan formaximum rewards and forgiveness of sins. Oh my Lord and Sustainer please forgive me and bemerciful to me. You are the best amongst those who showmercy."


The second ten days are when people tend to be use to nothaving food during the day, they have an established sleeppattern, and yet the thirst never becomes normal. It isphysically challenging to fast for this long. It affects all partsof the body and mind. This is why the prayer to ourSustainer comes from the heart. Let us seek our Sustainer today. How merciful is our God?He who did not spare His own Son will he also not give usthe things we need? Remember, God loved the world somuch that He gave His Son so that whoever believes willhave eternal life. Perhaps make this verse your prayer byputting your name in place of “the world” and then pray thisprayer again with the names of some Muslim people youknow or perhaps Muslim nations. May you know the truth foryour own life and may they know the truth for their lives.

Our faith says...

John 3:16 Romans 8:31-38 Matthew 5:3 Acts 17:26-31 Lamentations 3:22-26

The Biblesays...

Day 10 - Prayer for the Second 10 Days of RamadanMy Prayer Today

Go back and

find the

heading for

Day 11.

Day 20 - Prayer for the Third 10 Days of RamadanMy Prayer Today

"This prayer was recommended by the ProphetMuhammad to be recited during the last 10 days as muchas possible. It beseeches God to forgive us, because Godis indeed the best at forgiving humans for their mistakes. I seek forgiveness of all my sins from Allah who is my lordand sustainer and I return back in repentance to himalone."


This beautiful prayer sounds like a prayer from one of theprophets in the old testament or a psalm of David. Even as Ramadan is coming to an end the one who trulydesires to seek God is still aware of their sin and the short ofamount of time left to have their actions and heart’s focuscount as hasanat (good credit) to find forgiveness. This prayer is a heart cry. You can almost hear thedesperation to have peace. Praise God for His promise tous of forgiveness and that this promise is for all people. Weserve and love a God who desires for all people to come toa saving knowledge of Him. Pray for those who are prayingthis prayer to truly find Jesus, the peace and hope that theyare seeking. We know that our God does not hide fromthose who seek Him.

Our faith says...

Isaiah 30:15 Psalm 51 Luke 5:18-25 1 Timothy 2:3-7 Luke 15:11-32

The Biblesays...

Go back and

find the

heading for

Day 21.

Day 30 - Eid al-Fitr Holiday CelebrationMy Prayer Today


Review & Write

Eid al-Fitr Holiday

This festival is to celebrate the ending of thefast. There is so much joy! Often children'svoices can be heard at daybreak singing God'sfaithful provision from the mosques. It is a timeof gifts for children and unwed sisters. Thereare new clothes, cookies, and coffee as peoplego visit family and friends for quick visits thatlast from sun up to sun down and beyond. Perhaps use this last day to reflect on howyour prayer time has been during this Ramdanseason. Maybe this is the first time that youhave been mindful of this celebration. How hasit been? What has stood out to you. Let us join in the celebration of God'sgoodness, His provision, and His mercy! Maywe with hope, ask again that for many that wemay never meet, this is a time of celebratingnew life in Christ. That they have really metwith the living Savior and are forever changed.

Additional Resources

Websites Referenced

and

Additional Prayer

Guides

https://www.30daysprayer.com

https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/islam/2009/08/ten-prayers-for-ramadan.aspx

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/featur

es/ramadan-2019-important-muslims-190505145156499.html

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501821/11-things-you-might-not-know-about-

eid-al-fitr

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_by_country

Playlists for Prayer

I'm Gonna See a VictoryThis Is How I Fight My Battles

How Great is Our God In Christ AloneCornerstone

Jesus MessiahAbove All

Hallelujah Here BelowRaise a Hallelujah

What a Beautiful NameBreak Every ChainGoodness of God

There is no one like our God!To God Alone Be the Glory

This is My TestimonyEndless Alleluiah

On YouTube Search: R@mD@n 2020

a blessed ramadan •middleeastnews.org.uk/assets/files/ramadan 2020.pdf · 2020. 10. 17. ·...

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