Anyone Can Fast

“Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.” Isaiah 58:4, NAS.

Muslim people do many things in order to be right with God. They pray five times a day. They give charity to the poor. They fast, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Derek* is a follower of Isa (the Arabic name for Jesus) in a predominately Muslim country. He fasts every Friday. His Muslim friends are always surprised when they find out that Derek fasts regularly.

Derek takes their surprise as an opportunity to share why he fasts. He says, “Anyone can fast, but fasting doesn’t make a person right with God. I fast so I can draw near to God. After all, getting closer to God is the greater challenge.” Derek lets his comment hang in the air. If the person asks how to be close to God, then Derek shares more.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Believers in Derek’s country will live in such a way that Muslims will want to know more about their relationship with God.

God will help many Muslim people understand that fasting and praying will never lead them to salvation, but will help them find the One who can save them.

Believers will become burdened to share the Gospel with the Muslims around them regardless of the risks.