The first evening of Ramadan

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World Ramadan 2007 / 1428: September 13 - October 12

The first evening of Ramadan
Preparation for "Loving Muslims Through Prayer".

In the book of Genesis we read,
“There was evening and morning, the first day.”
Ramadan begins in a similar way.

Around the world Muslims will be looking to the heavens in the evening. They will be interested in knowing if they will be able to see the crescent moon. If it is visible this will be the signal for the beginning of the month of Ramadan. (In most countries religious authorities will make a proclamation concerning the beginning of Ramadan). No fasting will take place the next morning. Muslims will rise up early to eat their breakfast before the day begins. Afterwards they will not have anything else to eat or drink till nightfall. This will be their daily experience during the next 29 - 30 days.

Important: The moon has never been an object of worship in Islam. No Muslim in the last 1,400 years has ever encouraged anyone to worship the moon. In fact the moon was not a symbol of Islam until the rise of the Ottomans about 700 - 800 years after Mohammed. In Islam the moon is simply used to determine the dates of the Islamic calendar. For more information see our site: http://www.30-days.net

NOTE: Our prayer time over the next 30 days will be broken down as follows:

Days 1-7: Focus on the Middle East and North Africa
Days 8-13: Focus on East and Central Asia
Days 14-17: Focus on Europe and the Americas
Days 18-20: Focus on South East Asia
Days 21-25: Focus on Africa
Days 26-30: Focus on South Asia

The Muslim “Night of Power” is a strategic night of prayer which commemorates the moment when Mohammed supposedly first received the revelation of the Qur’an (it starts on the 26th day in the evening. We are actually encouraging people to pray on the 25th day in advance of the “Night of Power”). Consider setting aside this time for indepth prayer with your church or mission group. Some Muslims spend many hours at the mosque making requests to God during the Night of Power. Let us believe God for an outpouring of His Spirit on our Muslim neighbours worldwide.

PS. The PrayforKuwait.com Middle East prayer initiative is calling for a 24/7 prayer time during Ramadan. Add your efforts here: http://www.prayforkuwait.com/kwpress/247/

God bless your prayer time and give you protection too along with His insight and love for the Muslim people. Ron

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30-Days International write the materials and coordinate the translation into some 40 languages where booklets are distributed from around 30 offices around the world. Order the booklet on our 30-days.net website.
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