For the first 3 weeks of our time in West Africa the people here have been observing Ramadan, which is a month of fasting during the day to commemorate the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. During this time "spiritual consequences" are also amplified, which leads to an increase of prayer and giving of alms.
From a Christian perspective, it is easy to balk at the idea that a month of good deeds would be enough to earn us salvation. We can sit back and wonder that so many people have tried in futility to get it right on their own. This week, however, I have come to see this as an encouragement for the ministry here. Ramadan is visible proof that the people around me, the ones that I have come to serve this summer, are just trying to do the best they can to be close to God. And we have the answer. We know that relationship with God is only achieved through faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:27, "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." The people here are hungry to know God. We are here to point them to Jesus, and hope and pray that God would be revealed to them.
From a Christian perspective, it is easy to balk at the idea that a month of good deeds would be enough to earn us salvation. We can sit back and wonder that so many people have tried in futility to get it right on their own. This week, however, I have come to see this as an encouragement for the ministry here. Ramadan is visible proof that the people around me, the ones that I have come to serve this summer, are just trying to do the best they can to be close to God. And we have the answer. We know that relationship with God is only achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 11:27, "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." The people here are hungry to know God. We are here to point them to Jesus, and hope and pray that God would be revealed to them.
Prayer-
Please pray that as Ramadan is ending, the people will look for God and be receptive to the truth.