Written by: Open Doors SA
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Ramadan is here – and for secret believers in places like North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula this can be a very lonely time…
Around the world, people are finding Jesus and choosing to leave their former faith. For many converts this is a road paved with intense hardships and isolation as they are forced to keep their faith secret – or face the worst persecution. To stand with these isolated secret believers, Open Doors is promoting 30 days of prayer for the Muslim world during Ramadan (24 April to 24 May).
Heightened persecution
During Ramadan, believers from a Muslim background (MBBs) and Christians in Muslim-majority regions are vulnerable when they don’t partake in the fast and other activities around the holy month. Consequently, they face persecution, violence, imprisonment, and even death. Still, despite these threats, Open Doors receives many reports of how our persecuted family continue to stand strong for Jesus during this difficult time.
Open Doors is promoting 30 days of prayer for the Muslim world during Ramadan.
Gladly bearing isolation
Sofi* (23) diligently observed Ramadan rituals before she realised that righteousness is through Christ alone. She tried to keep her new faith discreet, but when she didn’t fast, her parents knew she was not a Muslim anymore. They now try to force her to observe the fast. She tried to keep the peace by pretending to obey.
“I fasted and even prepared the fast-breaking meals for them. I would go into my room and pretend to do the salat. But then I would pray to Jesus.”
God will sustain
Achiam*, a 20-year-old blind woman, is the only known Christian in her village. This remarkable young woman attended a school for the blind, where she was exposed to the Gospel and gave her heart to the Lord. When she went home, her family noticed a difference in her.
“Since then nothing was the same anymore. I was considered the worst thing that had ever happened to the family. My older brother beat me with a cane. However, I know that God will continue to sustain me.”
All for God’s glory
Islèm*, a 22-year old woman from the Middle East, has accepted Christ and now follows Him as her Lord in deep secrecy. “Jesus is like oxygen, because without oxygen you cannot breathe. If Jesus was not in my life, I would not be here today and I would not be alive.”
Shame for the family
The 22-year-old Alima* is a follower of Jesus in North Africa. She went to church meetings and got a Bible after she gave her heart to Jesus. She recalls: “My father, who is a Muslim imam, wanted to kill me when he found the Bible in my room. So I had to run away. If you are a woman from a Muslim family who becomes a follower of Jesus, you turn into a shame for the whole family.”
Pray for our brothers and sisters
As we pray for the Lord to be at work through His Spirit to bring seeking Muslims to salvation, we also need to pray and support our brothers and sisters during Ramadan to remain firm in their faith. We can carry them in prayer to courageously live out their testimony for Christ despite any loneliness, pressure, and hostility. Visit our website, opendoors.org.za to download a special Ramadan prayer guide.
Open Doors
Nedbank
Branch code: 198765
Acc: 113 750 4552 (Business)
Reference: JE2005
Open Doors
Absa
Branch code: 632005
Acc: 160 340 568 (Current)
Reference: JE2005
*Names are changed for security reasons. | Photos: © 2020 Open Doors International
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Date published: 03/05/2020
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