GOD HEARS A MUSLIM BOY'S PRAYER
A doubting Muslim meets Jesus on the Night of Power during Ramadan
Mohammed is the grandson of an imam. His family had plans for him to become an imam too. But at the tender age of 9, Mohammed was already questioning the teachings of the Qu’ran. Few Muslims read their Holy Book. Not unlike Sunday pew-warmers in Christian churches, many Muslims depend on the imam’s weekly sermons to inform their faith.
How was it logical, Mohammed thought, that praying through the entire night of the Laylat al-Qadr (the holiest Night of Power) during Ramadan would yield more credit than a thousand months of prayer and devotion? Or that it could make up for performing the Hajj to Mecca? And what futility if after a lifetime of piety and good work, he would still have no assurance of getting to heaven!
Mohammed dared not share these and many such thoughts with anyone. Frustrated and disillusioned, he took to smoking, drinking, fighting, and many other “bad things”. But deep inside, this 14-year-old boy was crying out to God, “Who are you? Are you even there?”
One night, Mohammed was again crying out to God at the top of his lungs. This time, in a dream. He saw a vision of hell in front of him. At a distance, he saw what he thought was Paradise, but it was out of reach. Then a Man called out to him. He did not understand the man’s message, but it must be God speaking to him. For when Mohammed woke up, something inside him had shifted. He felt hopeful.
He found a dusty copy of the New Testament and began to read it, secretly. He became convinced that he saw Jesus in his dream. He quit all his bad habits, overnight, effortlessly. His heart was full of something strange and beautiful, a new yearning he had yet to understand.
Meantime, Mohammed felt compelled to apologize to Adilet, the boy he used to bully all the time. At first, Adilet was shocked and confused, but they soon became friends. Mohammed began to share with Adilet his dream and questions about Jesus. It turned out that Adilet was a believer. His family belonged to an underground house church. But it was only after many months that Adilet felt safe to reveal his faith to Mohammed and invite him to church. This was no coincidence. God’s hand continued to lead Mohammed to Himself. Finally, Mohammed was able to hear the gospel clearly explained to him.
Ramadan is an important time of year for Islam’s 1.9 billion followers around the world. When Muslims pray to Allah during Ramadan, let Christians step up in prayer also for God to reveal himself to truth seekers like Mohammed, whose life continues to impact others.
Pray for:
• The light of the gospel to pierce the dark veil of Islam in their holy month of prayer and fasting
• Muslim background believers who face rejection by their families and local communities
• Muslims who are displaced, oppressed, persecuted, or in war zones to become open to the love and witness of Christians who extend a helping hand
• Christian NGOs and cross-cultural workers that work among them in high risk and difficult places
Additional resources for prayer:
• Videos to guide you in prayer for Muslims
• 30 days of prayer for the Muslim world
But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. (Heb. 1:1) In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (Jn. 1:4-5) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Lk. 19:10)