Three things to pray for your Muslim friend this Ramadan

Desiring to be good

As a child in Iran, I noticed people really trying to be good during this holy month; there was less cursing and fighting, people smoked less and went to the mosque more, they increased their giving to the poor and found ways to assist their neighbours. Muslims believe that good deeds performed in Ramadan bring greater reward from Allah than at any other time, so it’s no wonder people are on their best behaviour!

But after the rush of good deeds during Ramadan, there comes the crushing realisation that ​‘being good’ all the time is impossible. After a month of trying hard, normal life returns, bringing with it normal patterns of sin and dysfunction.

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Now, as a Christian, it is beautiful to understand two things. First, that God knows that however hard I try, I will fall short of His perfect standards, which is why He sent Jesus to live a perfect life on my behalf. I am justified by His goodness, not my own. Second, that we don’t strive to be good in our own strength – the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, so that instead of behaviour modification, what is on offer is heart transformation.

1. This Ramadan, pray your Muslim friend’s genuine desire to be good would be satisfied through encountering the eternal, perfect, and heart-transforming goodness of Christ.

Desiring to belong

One of the beautiful things about Ramadan is the tangible sense of belonging. Families gather after sunset each day to break their fast with sumptuous ​“Iftar” meals, loud singing, and joyful dancing. My husband has many happy family memories of Iftar meals over the years. Observing Ramadan is a powerful way of demonstrating that you belong not only to your family and local community but also to the global Muslim ​“Ummah.”

I know from personal experience, though, that this desire of belonging can be fragile because it is contingent on behaviour. As a teenager, long before I met Christ, I was a rebel. I did not fast. My parents were angry. At school, I had to pretend. When people discovered I was not fasting, I was dismissed as an infidel. I had to behave to belong.

The beautiful message of the gospel illustrates that followers of Christ get adopted into God’s family by grace. This means that even when I fall short –I am no less of a child of God. It’s because my belonging is so secure that I want my behaviour to honour God.

2. Your Muslim friend has a genuine desire to belong, as do all people. Pray this Ramadan that they would discover the security of belonging to God’s family, adopted by grace.

Desiring closeness with God

Most observant Muslims sincerely desire to draw near to God. Ramadan offers tangible practices, rhythms, and rituals which promise this closeness. A distinctive night in Ramadan called Laylat al-Qadr (the ​‘Night of Power’) commemorates when the Qur’an was believed to be revealed. On this night the veil between God and humanity is thought to be at its ​‘thinnest’.

The prophet Mohammad is recorded as saying, ​“Whoever stands in prayer during the Night of Power out of belief and seeking reward, his previous sins are forgiven.” Many Muslims therefore spend the whole night – at the mosque or at home – praying for forgiveness of sins, and petitioning God with their hearts’ desires.

Despite this fervour, Muslims do not experience a two-way relationship with God. The craved closeness never manifests. I know this is true in my life and my husband’s, and we have ministered among so many fellow Iranians with the same experience.

But when I came to Christ, I encountered a living, speaking God who knows me and wants to be known by me. This is utterly astonishing, especially to those of us from a Muslim background.

3. Your Muslim friend wants a connection with the Divine. This Ramadan, especially on and around the Night of Power, pray they will encounter Christ and begin a rich life of walking closely with God.

All Muslims are different and observe Ramadan in different ways. Some, like me in my teenage years, may not observe at all! Why not ask your friend what Ramadan means to them? Let them know you are praying for them during this special month. It may just open up opportunities for you to share the goodness, belonging, and intimacy you have found in Christ.

If you want more guidance on praying during Ramadan, you can order a digital or hard copy of ​‘30 days of Prayer for the Muslim World’

*The exact date of the Night of Power is much debated. Islamic scripture states that the Night of Power falls on an odd-numbered date in the last ten days of Ramadan. Sunni Muslims mark it on the 27^th day of Ramadan (26^th March 2025). Shia Muslims usually mark it on the 19^th, 21^st, and 23^rd days of Ramadan.