The month of Ramadan, a time of prayer and fasting for Muslims, begins October 5 and ends November 3, 2005. As Muslims around the world pray, will you pray for their hearing, understanding and accepting the Good News of Christ? Following are prayer items that have been gathered from across the Central, Eastern and Southern Africa region.  

Each week of Ramadan we will have a new story focusing on God's movement among the Muslim peoples.  Click here to go to Ramadan week 2

If you are interested in Ramadan and the 30 days of prayer, see http://www.30-days.net.

Day 1
All across the CESA region from large cities to small villages you will most likely find a mosque and possibly an Islamic school. Kimberley, the provincial capitol of the Northern Cape in South Africa, is a good example. With a population of approximately 150,000 it has at least 3 formal mosques and a school. Pray with workers that the Spirit of God will have freedom across these communities to draw many to the Lord. Pray that workers will have eyes to see opportunities all around them to be the witness who is needed.

Day 2
Workers across the CESA region tell the Bible stories and Muslims are hearing. Being from a Muslim family "F", a Muslim woman in Mozambique, claims that religion for herself. But she doesn't adhere strictly to its rules and regulations. She is now hearing the Gospel in the English classes she attends. Pray that as she learns the story of Christ she would recognize the falsehood of the religion she claims and desire a personal relationship with the true God, a God who loves her and offers her certain salvation.

Day 3
Placing workers in a Muslim people group takes thinking beyond a routine church planting job. Universities, colleges, secondary schools are open to teachers from abroad and become very strategic in living and working among them. Pray for teams in CESA as they write personnel requests designed to open doors to relationships and put workers among the various Muslim peoples. Pray especially for one request to work with the Sagara people of Tanzania.

Day 4
The culture of every people group in the CESA region revolves around stories, fables or tales. Therefore, Chronological Bible storying effectively impacts a people for Christ. One worker tells these stories to a group of carvers. Most of these men profess to be Muslim. Pray for "R" and others like him gathering people every day all across CESA to share the Bible stories. Ask God to give each worker the ability to bridge the truth of God's Word into the lives of Muslims. Pray that these stories fall on good receptive soil of the hearts of Muslims across the region.

Day 5
An opportunity to work on the Island of Mozambique exists. This island is home to the oldest European structure in Africa, a Catholic church built in 1588. Effective evangelism and changed lives takes more than a presence of a church building. Pray for an open door for evangelicals to work and live on this Island reaching people who are predominately Muslim with some Catholic influence.

Day 6
Disillusioned with their parents' faith; Muslim youth across Central, Eastern and Southern Africa look for a cause that calls for radical commitment. Pray that these seeking young people find faith in the one true God. Pray for believers around them to boldly share of the hope in Christ.

Day 7
Opportunities exist across the CESA region to engage key leaders in Muslim communities to open dialogue about spiritual issues. Please pray for courage and boldness for workers across the region in these discussions. Ask God to lead these key leaders to faith in Christ and for workers to patiently explain what it means to be a Christian both in word and by their very lives.

Day 8
A growing evangelical church coexists alongside most of the Muslim communities in Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. Ramadan is especially difficult for believers living in a Muslim community. Please pray that every believer would remain strong in their faith and would build bridges in relationships to their Muslim neighbors and friends. Ask God to use their witness to penetrate the barriers to the gospel message.

Day 9
In the urban settings that are predominately Muslim, believers gather regularly in cell or house churches. Pray for these groups that their vision would be broadened and that the momentum of reproducing groups would increase. Ask God to use these groups to impact lostness all around them.

Day 10
In June, a young Muslim boy came to know the Lord while seeking treatment at a weekend medical clinic in southwest Uganda run by a team of workers. Over the next few months, following an emergency food distribution in his drought ridden village, the rest of his family accepted the Lord. The entire family is being followed up by a local church. Please pray for this family as they learn to follow Jesus, facing persecution for their new faith, and for other families that are just like them.

Day 11
Clusters of HIV/AIDS patients are being formed into Bible storying groups around Mbarara, Uganda. The first one began in an area with a large concentration of Muslims. Pray for those who have now left Islam and trust Jesus. Pray that the stories they hear take root and that they will be bold and wise in their witness. Pray for leaders to be identified and discipled.

Day 12
At 5:30 am every morning, the Muslim call to prayer awakens much of the cities, towns and countryside of Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. Pray that this call awakens in every heart the desire to know the One True God and an awareness of their need of a Savior.

Day 13
The people with Indo-Pakistani roots make up a significant percentage of the Muslim community in CESA. Pray for friendships with local Asian shopkeepers to develop opportunities to hear the Gospel message. Pray that they will be open to the truth and choose to embrace faith in Christ.

Day 14
Most of the Cushitic peoples of Kenya embrace African Traditional religion along with their Muslim faith. Believing in ancestral spirits they sometimes blame their babies for their sins. Rather than sacrificing their own children, pray that they will learn about the One and Only True Sacrifice that takes away all sin.

Day 15
The Iraqw people of north central Tanzania believe in one creator god, Loa, who dwells in Heaven and is seen by man as the sun. They also believe in the evil one named Netlangw, who dwells in the water. They then combine these traditional beliefs with Islam. Please pray that they will come to know that God is the living water that brings abundant life.

Day 16
The Burunge and Wasi people groups of Tanzania were drawn to the Muslim faith because of the wealth and progress promised to their communities. Ask that they would seek first God's kingdom and receive the unending blessing that follows.

Day 17
Thank God for Mohammed, an 87 year old man, who recently came to faith in Christ. His zeal for the Lord is contagious and he desires strength that he can take this Good News back to his people and family. He wants them to hear the true message of the prophet they call "Essa" (Jesus). Pray that God would grant his desire.

Day 18
The Somali often prove themselves a people hostile to the Gospel. Those that come to faith encounter persecution: death, beatings, exile from community, forced marriage to Muslim leaders, and relocation. One man recently said, "We are peaceful and welcome help from outsiders - just don't mess with our faith." Yet, God is at work and changing lives. Some believers exhibit a vibrant faith grown through persecution. Please pray for the development of communities of faith sufficient in number and strength to withstand the assault of Islamic fear and persecution.

Day 19
Somali women and other Muslim women in CESA live tightly wrapped up and hidden away by the laws of Islam. Pray that God would reveal Himself to those who secretly long to be loved, and wonder what can fill the emptiness in their hearts. Ask that the love of Jesus give them freedom and hope in their "hidden" state.

Day 20
As the daily fast breaks each evening at sunset, Muslim men, women and children believe that their self-imposed methods of deprivation bring them honor before others and Allah. Pray that after they fill their stomachs, they realize that what they do does not satisfy their longings. Ask God to reveal to them that he is the Bread of Life and those that eat of Him will never hunger.

Day 21
"Beeni raad ma leh" is a Somali proverb that literally means "a lie leaves no track or trace." This saying reminds Somalis that lies have no foundation and will eventually be discovered. Please pray that the Somali and other Muslim people know the truth that works of man can never bring salvation! Pray they find the foundation of salvation is by grace through faith in Christ.

Day 22
Drilling water wells not only provides clean water for a Muslim people group but also allows opportunities for sharing the truth of the Gospel through conversations, giving books of John, and sharing tapes and tape recorders with the Chronological Bible stories. Pray that the Word of God will not return void but will accomplish a work in the lives of these Muslim people of CESA.

Day 23
As workers visit various predominately Muslim villages, they look for opportunities to share with village chairmen or leaders. Pray for wisdom to develop relationships with these key people of peace. Ask that the Holy Spirit would open the hearts and minds of these leaders so that they will understand who Jesus really is.

Day 24
Recently volunteers worked in a secondary school through sports evangelism. They also gave students mosquito nets and the book of John. The leaders in the local mosque tore up many of these books commenting negatively about those that bring these books and the church. Pray for believers that teach in this school that they would be bold and courageous in the face of opposition. Ask that the students with these books would understand what they read and come to faith in Christ.

Day 25
"Cowboy", a Muslim background believer, continues to live and tell the good news in a village along the coast of Tanzania. Finding a small house fellowship, he is now working with others to share the Father's message. As he shares, he is often rejected. As one man rejected the Message, Cowboy told him that one day something would happen in his life and he would look for believers for help. Within a week this man's wife was demon possessed and he came looking for help. The believers prayed for her, the demon left her and today she is a believer. Please pray for her husband who still chooses not to believe. Praise the Lord for the various things that God uses to draw people to Himself.

Day 26
Stories and songs from the Bible pass the Good News to villages along the coast where a large unreached people group lives. "Rooster man" tells the stories and 14 come to study with him and then return home to share with their families. Please pray for Rooster man's ministry and ask that the families open their hearts to receive the Good News. Ask God for many more to come, to listen and to learn so that they can know the one true God.

Day 27
Ramadan is a time that Muslims feel especially close to God. The "Night of Wonders" is the 27th night of Ramadan. This year it is October 31st. It is the night that Muslims believe God gave the Koran to Mohammed. Many believe it is the night that God is most accessible to them and that on this night God, Himself hears prayers directly or through the angel Gabriel. So this is a time that many people ask God to give them visions and dreams. Please pray that the Zigua and all Muslim peoples of CESA will have visions and dreams that point them to Jesus, the one who they seek as Savior.

Day 28
Most Muslims search for hope and truth. One worker and family spend time visiting a head master. As the relationship develops the walls of resistance recede and the head master willingly listens to and thinks about the Good News. Another worker intentionally begins studying with a new Muslim background believer. Soon others join them searching for hope and truth. Pray for workers to persistently share the Good News that is the only source of hope and truth. Pray that those who seek will find hope and truth in Christ.

Day 29
Cleansing of the outside before prayer is a must in Islamic life -head, face, ears, nostrils, mouth, arms and feet are all washed in belief the faithful Muslim is coming clean to times of prayer. Yet, the water will never penetrate the heart. As Muslims wash in preparation for prayer, pray they may come to the knowledge of true cleansing through God's provision in the Messiah. (Ps. 51)

Day 30
The day of the new moon following the month of Ramadan marks a day of celebration for Muslims. Feasting and visiting family and friends are the order of the day. Pride and excitement within the umma (community of Muslims) for completing the fast brings a sense of temporary euphoria for many - yet, it is empty of biblical joy. Pray this people will be overwhelmed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that true community will be found in indigenous reproducing churches throughout the CESA region. (Acts 9:31)

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